Science in the News (please post articles of general interest here)

[Probeman]

I just thought this was a cool short video by David Attenborough:

https://x.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1860548905911615955

on the electric fields of flowers and bees.

[Probeman]

Talk about a carbon contamination problem...

https://www.space.com/ryugu-asteroid-sample-earth-life-colonization

[Probeman]

This is a cool periodic table:



It's for kids, but I did not know that scandium is used in aluminum alloys for bicycle frames.  Or should I say "aluminium"?



You can buy one here for the kids in your life:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHXQQ1N

[Probeman]

This has got to be the strangest thing in microscopy you will read today: "vegetative electron microscopy"

https://retractionwatch.com/2025/02/10/vegetative-electron-microscopy-fingerprint-paper-mill/

[Probeman]

Moving electrons is so much easier than moving molecules:

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/02/21/hydrogen-hype-meets-hard-costs-europes-pipeline-plan-in-trouble/

If anyone is interested in why moving electrons is so easy, it's because it's electric fields "all the way down"!  See this excellent explanation from the Veritasium channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI_X2cMHNe0

[Probeman]

This doesn't have anything in particular to do with microanalysis, or does it?

https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spots-Medicine-Wrong-Health/dp/1639735313

It's a look at dogma, inertia, resistance to new ideas and stubborn refusal to look at scientific data that challenges the "status quo". I found this book to be an amazing and actually quite balanced read, and highly recommend it.

[Ben Buse]

Caltech Mourns the Passing of Arden Albee
https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/arden-albee-obituary

[Probeman]

Caltech Mourns the Passing of Arden Albee
https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/arden-albee-obituary

Interesting that the obituary did not mention that (at least at one time), the Bence-Albee matrix correction was the most cited paper in geology.

And this correction (at least for historical comparisons if not some esoteric applications), is still implemented in CalcZAF and Probe for EPMA:

https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=239.msg2763#msg2763

Here's a discussion regarding the Shaw and Albee dataset that Ben and I had some years ago:

https://smf.probesoftware.com/index.php?topic=890.msg5708#msg5708

[Probeman]

Now that's what I call an "electron beam"!



(Artist's concept)

https://scitechdaily.com/slac-just-fired-the-most-intense-submicron-electron-beam-in-history-heres-what-it-can-do/

[Probeman]

The origins of Monte Carlo statistics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZeIEiBrT_w&ab_channel=Veritasium

[Probeman]

This is concerning:

https://theconversation.com/how-bad-science-is-becoming-big-business-262821

I think we today, with our early perceptions of AI, are basically at the same point in time as when the first books were being printed. Many people know that the bible was the most popular book printed with the first printing presses, but by some accounts, the 2nd most popular book at that time was "The Hammer of the Witches".  Which some historians credit with helping to create the witch hunting crazes in Europe.

https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/social-sciences/printing-press-witch-trials/

[Probeman]

Here's a very interesting Veritasium video on Nickel super alloys used in turbine blades:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtxVdC7pBQM

I don't know the exact composition of the alloys used, though I have analyzed some high Ni alloys for several clients, and I will say that dealing with trace elements in these compositions with so many elements is quite problematic.

Just as an illustration I selected the NIST Hastalloy (C2402) composition in the default database in the Standard app:

St  651 NIST SRM C2402 (Hastelloy C)
TakeOff = 40.0  KiloVolt = 15.0  Density =  5.000  Type = alloy

High temperature alloy
Elemental Composition

Average Total Oxygen:         .000     Average Total Weight%:   99.775
Average Calculated Oxygen:    .000     Average Atomic Number:   31.416
Average Excess Oxygen:        .000     Average Atomic Weight:   62.501

ELEM:       Ni      Mo      Cr      Fe       W      Co      Si      Mn
XRAY:      ka      la      ka      ka      la      ka      ka      ka 
ELWT:   51.500  17.100  16.150   7.300   4.290   1.500    .850    .640
ATWT:   58.710  95.940  51.996  55.847 183.850  58.933  28.086  54.938
KFAC:    .5264   .1393   .1698   .0800   .0308   .0149   .0059   .0068
ZCOR:    .9783  1.2274   .9512   .9127  1.3922  1.0075  1.4407   .9471
AT% :   54.949  11.165  19.457   8.188   1.462   1.594   1.896    .730

ELEM:        V      Cu       S       P       C
XRAY:      ka      ka      ka      ka      ka 
ELWT:     .220    .190    .018    .007    .010
ATWT:   50.942  63.546  32.064  30.974  12.011
KFAC:    .0022   .0019   .0002   .0001   .0000
ZCOR:    .9957  1.0257  1.1533  1.3158  4.8176
AT% :     .271    .187    .035    .014    .052

Now if we run this composition through the nominal spectral interference dialog shown here:



we obtain this set of "nominal" interferences (skipping the interferences for trace carbon):

On Peak Interferences for : St  651 NIST SRM C2402 (Hastelloy C)

For Ni ka    LiF at  1.65919 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 51.5 wt.% 
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  1.65919 ( 115.380)

For Mo la    PET at  5.40656 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 17.1 wt.% 
  Interference by Co KA1      III   at  5.36810 ( 171.805) ( -1.2309) =       .5%
  Interference by Co KA2      III   at  5.37970 ( 172.176) ( -.85965) =       .6%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  5.40656 ( 173.036)

For Cr ka    LiF at  2.29100 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 16.15 wt.% 
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  2.29100 ( 159.317)

For Fe ka    LiF at  1.93735 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 7.3 wt.% 
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  1.93735 ( 134.724)

For  W la    LiF at  1.47639 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 4.29 wt.% 
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  1.47639 ( 102.668)
  Interference by Ni SKB``          at  1.49400 ( 103.893) ( 1.22465) =      6.8%
  Interference by Ni SKB            at  1.49880 ( 104.227) ( 1.55845) =      4.8%
  Interference by Ni SKB7           at  1.49880 ( 104.227) ( 1.55845) =      4.8%
  Interference by Ni KB3            at  1.50040 ( 104.338) ( 1.66971) =     28.8%
  Interference by Ni KB1            at  1.50040 ( 104.338) ( 1.66971) =     50.3%
  Interference by Ni SKB`           at  1.50230 ( 104.470) ( 1.80184) =      3.5%
  Interference by Ni SKBN           at  1.52230 ( 105.861) ( 3.19264) =       .2%

For Co ka    LiF at  1.79026 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 1.5 wt.% 
  Interference by Fe KB1            at  1.75690 ( 122.175) ( -2.3199) =      1.9%
  Interference by Fe KB3            at  1.75690 ( 122.175) ( -2.3199) =      1.1%
  Interference by Fe SKB`           at  1.75960 ( 122.363) ( -2.1321) =       .3%
  Interference by Fe SKBN           at  1.78330 ( 124.011) ( -.48405) =      2.8%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  1.79026 ( 124.495)

For Si ka    TAP at  7.12625 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 0.85 wt.% 
  Interference by Cr SKA3`    III   at  6.83140 ( 74.4603) ( -3.2138) =       .7%
  Interference by Cr SKA4     III   at  6.83260 ( 74.4734) ( -3.2007) =       .7%
  Interference by Cr SKA3     III   at  6.83730 ( 74.5246) ( -3.1495) =       .7%
  Interference by Cr SKA3``   III   at  6.84080 ( 74.5628) ( -3.1114) =       .7%
  Interference by Cr SKA`     III   at  6.84720 ( 74.6325) ( -3.0416) =       .8%
  Interference by V  KB1      III   at  6.85490 ( 74.7165) ( -2.9577) =       .1%
  Interference by Cr SKA``    III   at  6.86290 ( 74.8036) ( -2.8705) =       .9%
  Interference by Cr KA1      III   at  6.87020 ( 74.8832) ( -2.7909) =     98.8%
  Interference by Cr KA2      III   at  6.88170 ( 75.0086) ( -2.6656) =     55.8%
  Interference by W  SMA^4          at  6.94710 ( 75.7214) ( -1.9527) =      1.9%
  Interference by W  SMA^2          at  6.96110 ( 75.8740) ( -1.8001) =      2.1%
  Interference by Cu KB3      V     at  6.96220 ( 75.8860) ( -1.7881) =       .2%
  Interference by Cu KB1      V     at  6.96220 ( 75.8860) ( -1.7881) =       .3%
  Interference by W  SMA^1          at  6.97050 ( 75.9765) ( -1.6977) =      2.2%
  Interference by Fe SKB      IV    at  6.98090 ( 76.0898) ( -1.5843) =      1.9%
  Interference by W  MA1            at  6.98310 ( 76.1138) ( -1.5603) =    233.8%
  Interference by W  MA2            at  6.99210 ( 76.2119) ( -1.4622) =    244.4%
  Interference by Fe SKB``    IV    at  6.99440 ( 76.2370) ( -1.4372) =      2.0%
  Interference by Fe KB3      IV    at  7.02780 ( 76.6010) ( -1.0731) =     15.8%
  Interference by Fe KB1      IV    at  7.02780 ( 76.6010) ( -1.0731) =     27.5%
  Interference by Fe SKB`     IV    at  7.03850 ( 76.7176) ( -.95649) =      2.4%
  Interference by Co SKA3`    IV    at  7.12020 ( 77.6081) ( -.06598) =       .6%
  Interference by Co SKA4     IV    at  7.12260 ( 77.6343) ( -.03982) =       .6%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  7.12625 ( 77.6741)
  Interference by Co SKA3     IV    at  7.12700 ( 77.6823) ( .008133) =       .6%
  Interference by Co SKA3``   IV    at  7.13070 ( 77.7226) ( .048470) =       .6%
  Interference by Fe SKBN     IV    at  7.13340 ( 77.7520) ( .077896) =      2.7%
  Interference by Co SKA`     IV    at  7.13510 ( 77.7706) ( .096428) =       .6%
  Interference by Co SKA``    IV    at  7.14430 ( 77.8708) ( .196701) =       .6%
  Interference by Co KA1      IV    at  7.15740 ( 78.0136) ( .339493) =     55.5%
  Interference by Co KA2      IV    at  7.17300 ( 78.1836) ( .509522) =     27.7%
  Interference by W  M3-N1          at  7.36030 ( 80.2252) ( 2.55104) =      3.7%
  Interference by W  LA1      V     at  7.38370 ( 80.4802) ( 2.80609) =     25.9%
  Interference by W  LA2      V     at  7.43880 ( 81.0808) ( 3.40667) =      1.7%

For Mn ka    LiF at  2.10314 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 0.64 wt.% 
  Interference by Cr SKB            at  2.06810 ( 143.816) ( -2.4367) =       .2%
  Interference by Cr SKB``          at  2.07770 ( 144.484) ( -1.7691) =      1.5%
  Interference by Cr KB1            at  2.08510 ( 144.998) ( -1.2545) =     58.4%
  Interference by Cr KB3            at  2.08510 ( 144.998) ( -1.2545) =     32.5%
  Interference by Cr SKB`           at  2.09010 ( 145.346) ( -.90683) =      8.9%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  2.10314 ( 146.253)
  Interference by W  SLG2``   II    at  2.11360 ( 146.980) ( .727356) =       .6%
  Interference by Cr SKBN           at  2.11780 ( 147.272) ( 1.01942) =      7.5%
  Interference by W  LG3      II    at  2.12440 ( 147.731) ( 1.47839) =       .6%

For  V ka    LiF at  2.50483 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 0.22 wt.% 
  Interference by W  LB2      II    at  2.49000 ( 173.155) ( -1.0314) =     17.4%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  2.50483 ( 174.187)
  Interference by W  LB3      II    at  2.52580 ( 175.645) ( 1.45818) =      1.8%

For Cu ka    LiF at  1.54184 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 0.19 wt.% 
  Interference by W  LA1            at  1.47670 ( 102.690) ( -4.5299) =       .3%
  Interference by W  LA2            at  1.48770 ( 103.455) ( -3.7649) =       .5%
  Interference by Ni SKB``          at  1.49400 ( 103.893) ( -3.3268) =      1.8%
  Interference by Ni SKB            at  1.49880 ( 104.227) ( -2.9930) =      4.4%
  Interference by Ni SKB7           at  1.49880 ( 104.227) ( -2.9930) =      4.4%
  Interference by Ni KB3            at  1.50040 ( 104.338) ( -2.8818) =     40.0%
  Interference by Ni KB1            at  1.50040 ( 104.338) ( -2.8818) =     69.9%
  Interference by Ni SKB`           at  1.50230 ( 104.470) ( -2.7496) =      7.9%
  Interference by Ni SKBN           at  1.52230 ( 105.861) ( -1.3588) =     84.1%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  1.54184 ( 107.220)

For  S ka    PET at  5.37308 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 0.018 wt.% 
  Interference by W  LG3      V     at  5.31120 ( 169.984) ( -1.9804) =      4.0%
  Interference by Co SKA3`    III   at  5.34020 ( 170.912) ( -1.0523) =      5.1%
  Interference by Co SKA4     III   at  5.34190 ( 170.966) ( -.99785) =      5.6%
  Interference by Co SKA3     III   at  5.34520 ( 171.072) ( -.89223) =      6.7%
  Interference by Mo SLA9           at  5.34760 ( 171.149) ( -.81543) =    345.2%
  Interference by Co SKA3``   III   at  5.34800 ( 171.162) ( -.80263) =      7.7%
  Interference by Fe SKBN     III   at  5.35010 ( 171.229) ( -.73541) =     41.3%
  Interference by Co SKA`     III   at  5.35130 ( 171.267) ( -.69701) =      8.9%
  Interference by Mo SLA8           at  5.35450 ( 171.370) ( -.59459) =    458.6%
  Interference by W  M2-N4          at  5.35710 ( 171.453) ( -.51138) =    125.1%
  Interference by Co SKA``    III   at  5.35820 ( 171.488) ( -.47617) =     11.3%
  Interference by Co KA1      III   at  5.36810 ( 171.805) ( -.15932) =   1357.1%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  5.37308 ( 171.964)
  Interference by Mo SLA7           at  5.37400 ( 171.994) ( .029511) =    632.8%
  Interference by Co KA2      III   at  5.37970 ( 172.176) ( .211929) =    680.4%
  Interference by Mo SLA6           at  5.38220 ( 172.256) ( .291931) =    585.9%
  Interference by Mo SLA5           at  5.38590 ( 172.375) ( .410355) =    543.1%
  Interference by Mo SLA4           at  5.39110 ( 172.541) ( .576782) =    467.5%
  Interference by Mo SLA3           at  5.39440 ( 172.647) ( .682404) =    414.0%
  Interference by Mo SLA2`          at  5.39980 ( 172.819) ( .855225) =    324.8%
  Interference by Mo LA1            at  5.40710 ( 173.053) ( 1.08887) =  21458.3%
  Interference by Mo LA2            at  5.41650 ( 173.354) ( 1.38971) =   1230.9%
  Interference by W  M3-O5          at  5.44910 ( 174.397) ( 2.43306) =       .7%

For  P ka    PET at  6.15801 angstroms, at an assumed concentration of 0.007 wt.% 
  Interference by Ni SKBN     IV    at  6.08930 ( 194.887) ( -2.1991) =      7.1%
  Interference by W  MG             at  6.09230 ( 194.983) ( -2.1031) =     17.3%
  Interference by Cu SKA4     IV    at  6.13220 ( 196.260) ( -.82608) =      3.8%
  Interference by Cu SKA3`    IV    at  6.13580 ( 196.375) ( -.71086) =      4.7%
  Interference by Cu SKA3     IV    at  6.13900 ( 196.477) ( -.60844) =      5.6%
  Interference by Cu SKA`     IV    at  6.14460 ( 196.657) ( -.42923) =      7.0%
  Interference by Cu SKA``    IV    at  6.15300 ( 196.925) ( -.16039) =      8.4%
  Interference by Mo Ll             at  6.15310 ( 196.929) ( -.15718) =   6561.3%
  On Peak Position   -------------  at  6.15801 ( 197.086)
  Interference by Cu KA1      IV    at  6.16380 ( 197.271) ( .185257) =    833.5%
  Interference by Cu KA2      IV    at  6.17900 ( 197.758) ( .671738) =    259.9%
  Interference by Cr SKB      III   at  6.20450 ( 198.574) ( 1.48787) =     27.0%
  Interference by W  LB2      V     at  6.22520 ( 199.236) ( 2.15038) =      8.5%
  Interference by Cr SKB``    III   at  6.23330 ( 199.495) ( 2.40961) =       .4%

And of course this isn't displaying any of the off-peak interferences!

[Nicholas Ritchie]

Great video.  Love the visualization of planes slipping using soap bubbles.

[Probeman]

I thought this was interesting:

https://phys.org/news/2025-11-magnetic-component-faraday-effect-centuries.html

"Using advanced calculations based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert (LLG) equation, which describes the motion of spins in magnetic systems, the researchers showed that the magnetic field of light can generate a magnetic torque inside the material, just like a static magnetic field.

"In other words," says Capua, "light doesn't just illuminate matter, it magnetically influences it."

To quantify this influence, the team applied their model to Terbium Gallium Garnet (TGG), a crystal widely used to measure the Faraday effect. They found that the magnetic field of light accounts for about 17% of the observed rotation at visible wavelengths and up to 70% in the infrared range."

[Probeman]

The linguistics of shitty science (from Google AI):

"The words "shit" and "science" are surprisingly related through a shared Proto-Indo-European root, \skē-, meaning "to cut, split, or separate," with science evolving from the sense of distinguishing or knowing (Latin scire, "to know") and "shit" coming from the sense of separating waste from the body. This root also links to words like "conscience," "schism," and "schizophrenia," all revolving around ideas of cutting, dividing, or knowing by separating things.

Here's the breakdown:
The Root: The ancient \skē- meant "to cut" or "to split".

Path to Science:
    From \skē-, Latin developed scindere ("to split") and scire ("to know").
    Scire led to scientia, meaning "knowledge," which became the English word science (the process of knowing or understanding by separating/dissecting reality).

Path to Shit:
    The Proto-Germanic root skitana (from \skē-) meant "to cut or split".
    This evolved into the Old English scitan, referring to the act of separating waste, giving us shit.

The Connection:
So, etymologically, science is about "knowing by splitting/separating," while "shit" comes from the physical act of "splitting/separating" waste. Both words share an ancient concept of division or distinction, making them distant linguistic cousins."

More on other swear word linguistic roots from Words Unravelled:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqvT3gVz2aw