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High-altitude balloons are used for science, for example to get a clear view of space, or to test instruments.Credit: NG Images/Alamy
A scientists’ guide to high-altitude balloons
In the last few weeks, the United States shot down several flying objects that they suspected to be spy balloons — although most of them were probably benign. Balloons have roles in science, too: some that are used to test high-altitude instruments can expand to become bigger than a football stadium and can carry up to three tonnes. Biodegradable weather balloons are launched twice a day simultaneously from almost 900 locations worldwide. Even the small Mylar balloons that some hobbyists use to take pictures or atmospheric readings “light up radar like nobody’s business”, says Jason Krueger, who runs the balloon-launching company StratoStar.
Snakes can hear better than we thought
Researchers have dispelled the myth that snakes are deaf to airborne sound and can ‘hear’ only ground vibrations. Snakes were placed in a soundproofed room, and sounds with different frequencies were played on speakers. Death adders (Acanthophis), taipans (Oxyuranus) and brown snakes (Pseudonaja) tended to back away from the source of the sound. Woma pythons (Aspidites), however, often approached the speakers — possibly because they’re large nocturnal snakes with few predators, unlike the others. The experiment suggests that snakes can indeed hear sounds in the frequency range and volume of a human voice.
Science Alert | 3 min read & The Conversation | 4 min read
US introduces diversity plans for trials
Late-stage clinical trials in the United States will soon require a plan for ensuring that the pool of trial participants reflects the populations that are likely to use a drug. In 2022, a report found that little progress had been made to increase trial participation of minority ethnic and racial groups. “This is the biggest change in the regulatory landscape for clinical-trial diversity in the last three decades,” says physician Thomas Hwang. Scientists say it’s still unclear how strictly the US Food and Drug Administration will enforce the requirement.
Features & opinion
Futures: Who do you love?
Author Rudy Rucker weaves some deeply personal aspects into a hopeful, trippy and galaxy-spanning tale in the latest short story for Nature’s Futures series.
Five best science books this week
Andrew Robinson’s pick of the top five science books to read this week includes a thoughtful study of foresight by three cognitive scientists and a title on the disturbing topic of political cyberattacks, which comes recommended by former directors of US and UK intelligence agencies.
Podcast: ‘metadevices’ speed up electronics
Scientists have developed electrical components that they think can reach terahertz speeds, which could enable 6G communications and more advanced computing. “We could increase by almost tenfold the frequencies,” electrical engineer Elison Matioli tells the Nature Podcast. His metadevices have electrodes that resemble interlocking fingers, which decreases the current build-up that slows down signals in standard electronics.
Nature Podcast | 30 min listen
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