Heat-Storing Solar Foam Enables Continuous Desalination After Sunlight Fades
Researchers at Ocean University of China and Huzhou University have created a lightweight, phase‑change photothermal foam that captures solar energy and stores it as heat, allowing continuous water evaporation after sunlight fades. In outdoor tests the foam produced 9.229 kg of fresh water per square metre over a 10‑hour period while treating hypersaline brine, and it met WHO drinking‑water standards. The material costs only $0.54 per square metre and retains performance through repeated light‑dark cycles, addressing the intermittency and salt‑corrosion challenges of solar desalination.
Unraveling the Mass Mystery of Orion's Young Stars
Astronomers used the NSF Very Long Baseline Array to directly measure the masses of young binary stars hidden in Orion's dust clouds, achieving sub‑milliarcsecond precision. By tracking orbital motions at 5 GHz, they derived dynamical masses without relying on theoretical models....
Graphene Layers Steer Nickel Foam Toward More Active Oxygen Evolution Catalyst Phase
Researchers at Zhejiang and Dalian universities coated nickel foam with electrochemically exfoliated graphene, directing the surface oxidation toward the highly active γ‑NiOOH phase during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The graphene‑mediated electrodes exhibited lower overpotentials, faster kinetics and sustained performance...
AI Helps Chemists Design Molecules Step by Step
Researchers at EPFL unveiled Synthegy, a new framework that pairs large language models with traditional retrosynthesis and mechanism‑prediction tools. By translating candidate pathways into text, the LLM evaluates each route against plain‑language user goals and scores its chemical plausibility. In...
Richard Neuberg – Saltwater
The article reviews Richard Neuberg’s 2026 single “Saltwater,” describing it as a beguiling blend of romance and acoustic finesse that sets the Oxford‑born bard apart from mainstream fare. The writer praises the track’s ebb‑and‑flow arrangement and its ability to stir...
No Suits in Miami – Talk To Myself
No Suits in Miami, the Miami‑based indie act, dropped their new single “Talk To Myself” in 2026. The track fuses 1990s jangle‑pop guitar textures with a contemporary alt‑rock chorus, creating a nostalgic yet urgent sound. Critics praised the song’s pastoral...
Tentacles
Scientists have used advanced soft‑tissue imaging to confirm that giant octopuses over 60 feet long swam the oceans 60 million years ago. The discovery, reported in a brief commentary by consultant Alan Weiss, is presented with a tongue‑in‑cheek analogy that these ancient...
There Is No Safe Gamble with High LDL Cholesterol
The article challenges the claim from the documentary *The Cholesterol Code* that “lean‑mass hyper‑responders” (LMHRs) on low‑carbohydrate, high‑fat diets can sustain extremely high LDL‑C without added atherosclerotic risk. It explains that LDL‑C is a proxy for apoB particle number, the...
Replace Doomscrolling for Bloomstrolling
The piece urges readers to swap doomscrolling for "bloomstrolling"—taking spring walks to enjoy blooming flowers, birdsong, and sunshine. It draws on the author’s experience in Vancouver, where cherry blossoms line the streets, and suggests garden‑therapy activities like making sugared flowers...
“Margaret in Love and War”: An Opera Premiere
Composer Laura Schwendinger and librettist Ginger Strand’s new opera “Margaret in Love and War” premiered in a semi‑staged production at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia on April 28, 2026. The work dramatizes 19th‑century journalist Margaret Fuller’s 1847 Italian sojourn, her frontline...
12 Best Songs of the Week: Beth Orton, Man / Woman / Chainsaw, Francis of Delirium, Friko, and More
Under the Radar’s 12 Best Songs of the Week spotlights fresh releases from Beth Orton, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Francis of Delirium, Friko and Modest Mouse, among others. Orton announced her new album "The Ground Above" (June 26) and shared the single "Waiting,"...
I’m OK, You’re Not OK
The post weaves together Transactional Analysis theory, India’s energy‑security gaps, record election turnouts, and a cultural spotlight on Thundercat’s new album. It argues that President Trump’s harsh remarks on India reflect a “Parent” ego state, while India’s strategic crude reserve...
After The Verge – “Dark Day”
After The Verge dropped the single “Dark Day” as part of its newly released EP Inopportune Enlightenment on April 24, 2026. The track fuses buzzing synths, vibrant rhythms, and moody piano with dystopic lyrics that comment on societal control. Critics highlight its catchy,...
Roofing ROI: Does a New Roof Increase Resale Value?
Homeowners debating a roof replacement face the classic cost‑vs‑value question. Recent analyses show a new asphalt shingle roof can lift resale prices by roughly $15,000 to $18,000, often recouping the entire investment. The upgrade boosts curb appeal, signals solid maintenance,...
Sound Science – “Open Late Drifter”
Sound Science, an Iowa City‑based producer, has dropped “open late drifter,” the lead single from his forthcoming album *at the end of the day*. The lo‑fi pop track combines mellow keys, a solemn bass groove, and introspective vocals that evoke...