Science

Researchers Find New Way To Manipulate Magnetism

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Schematic shows how different energies of argon (Ar) ions bombarding a thin film of cobalt (Co) sandwiched between platinum (Pt) layers can twist or rotate the spin of electrons in a particular direction, by controlling an effect known as the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Credit: NIST
 
NIST News:
 
In a pioneering effort to control, measure and understand magnetism at the atomic level, researchers working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered a new method for manipulating the nanoscale properties of magnetic materials.
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PEEC Brings New Film To Planetarium

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PEEC News:
 
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center is bringing a new full-dome planetarium film to the Los Alamos Nature Center this month. 
 
Dark Matter Mystery will premiere at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 and be accompanied by a presentation by Dr. Joyce Guzik. This new show will also play in the nature center planetarium at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
 
Dark Matter Mystery sheds light on a seemingly intangible substance that makes up nearly a third
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Letter To The Editor: Changes To New Mexico STEM-Ready Science Standards

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By ELENA E. GIORGI
Los Alamos
New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) recently released a draft of proposed changes to New Mexico STEM-ready science standards to be voted during the hearing Oct. 16.
 
They can be read in full on the PED website (https:////ped.state.nm.us/ped/PublicNotices.html), under rule 6.29.10. These proposed changes scrap facts like the age of the Earth and the fact that temperatures have been steadily rising in the past years. The word evolution has also been taken out.
 
As a mother, a scientist, and a science educator, I find such censoring alarming,
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Heinrich Welcomes $1 Million Federal Investment In Innovate ABQ Bioscience Incubator

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) welcomes the announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration will award Innovate ABQ with a $1 million grant to establish a bioscience business incubator.
 
Innovate ABQ is a collaborative initiative that brings together the research powers of the University of New Mexico and New Mexico’s government, education, and business communities.

“I’ve been proud to support Innovate ABQ

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Night Sky Observation In Valles Caldera Sept. 23

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The Milky Way over the Jemez River. Photo by Jim Stein
 
PEEC News:
 
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is working with the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VALL) to offer a night sky observation event 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
 
PEEC astronomers and VALL park rangers will point out constellations, planets, and other celestial objects with the help of telescopes and lasers.
 
The Valles Caldera offers some of the darkest skies in our area and is a great place to get a better look at the night sky on clear nights. PEEC astronomers Galen
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Science On Tap: How Lab Scientists Use Biochemistry To Better Understand And Mend The Planet

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Los Alamos Creative District News:

The Earth is a complex place. The field of biogeochemistry seeks to better understand the links between geologic, chemical and biological processes. The community is invited to learn more at Science On Tap 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at UnQuarked Wine Bar, 145 Central Park Square. The American Chemical Society, Central New Mexico Local Section, will provide light refreshments.

During this Science on Tap event, join Sharon Bone, of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Inorganic Isotope and Actinide Chemistry group, who will talk about how molecular- and Read More

NEA-New Mexico Weighs In On New Mexico PED Proposed Science Education Standards

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NEA-NM News:

The National Education Association – New Mexico believes the entirety of the Next Gen standards should be adopted, not the version proposed by the P.E.D. which substitutes non-scientific notions where science should be taught,” says Charles Goodmacher, Spokesperson for the National Education Association – New Mexico. 
 
“The PED proposed changes infuse politics into local classrooms across New Mexico,” Goodmacher said. “For example, in the language regarding climate changes, changing ‘rise’ to ‘fluctuations’
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AFT Responds To Public Education Department Proposed Changes To New Mexico Science Standards

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AFT News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:
 
“Today’s revelation that the New Mexico Public Education Department wants to implement a perverted, watered-down version of the NextGen Science Standards is a slap in the face to our students and educators by simultaneously implementing a system of scientific skepticism into New Mexico curriculum and curtailing academic freedom for our educators.
 
“Parents and the larger community need to speak out against the PED’s promotion
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Santa Fe Institute Presents Stanislaw Ulam Memorial Lecture Series Sept. 25-26

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‘Prodigal Son’ by Thomas Hart Benton, lithograph (1939). Courtesy/Santa Fe Institute

SFI News:

The Stanislaw Ulam Memorial Lecture Series is 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 and Tuesday, Sept. 26 at The Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. San Francisco St. in Santa Fe.

SFI’s popular Ulam Lecture Series – now in its 25th year – honors the memory of the late Stanislaw theoretical mathematician Stanislaw Ulam.

Debt, default, and forgiveness have been at the heart of almost every major financial boom, bust, and recovery. Without debt, growth is nearly impossible. Read More

Collaboration Creates Highest-Resolution Scan Of Large Tyrannosaur Skull

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A 3D image of Bistahieversor sealeyi, which was found in the Bisti Badlands in New Mexico and Imaged at Los Alamos’ unique facilities. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Researchers using Los Alamos’ unique neutron-imaging and high-energy X-ray capabilities have exposed the inner structures of the fossil skull of a 74-million-year-old tyrannosauroid dinosaur nicknamed the Bisti Beast in the highest-resolution scan of tyrannosaur skull ever done. The results add a new piece to the puzzle of how these bone-crushing top predators evolved over millions of years.

“Normally, we look at a variety of Read More