Earth to be hit by ‘widespread pest outbreaks’ — and it’s our fault
Insects around the world are expected to be thrown into chaos by the effects of man-made climate change, according to research from Binghamton biologist Thomas H.Q. Powell highlighted in Newsweek. Read more
For EV batteries, lithium iron phosphate narrows the gap with nickel, cobalt
All the minerals can be obtained in North America, which means much lower transportation costs and a more secure supply chain, Binghamton researcher M. Stanley Whittingham tells Reuters. Read more
The revolt of the other mothers
“Our current pattern of school culture-warring goes back about a hundred years,” Binghamton researcher and education historian Adam Laats tells New York Magazine. Read more
All Hail Charles, the Unmemeable King
Binghamton scholar Jeremy Blackburn and others speculate for WIRED about why Charles is no meme queen. Read more
How children conjure a snow day
When there’s a hint of snow, children put spoons under their pillows and flush ice down the toilet to summon a day off. Where do these rituals come from? The Atlantic reports, with commentary from Binghamton folklorist Libby Tucker and others. Read more
How Spam became cool again
“Spam has undergone a reputation makeover,” Binghamton scholar Robert Ku tells CNN Business. Read more
These spiders use their webs like huge, silky ears
A Binghamton University study of orb-weaving spiders shows that their webs pick up a range of sounds — and that they are always “listening” for vibrations coming in over them, Scientific American reports in a new podcast. Read more
