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Editor's note
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The Nobel Prize for physics was awarded yesterday to three scientists – including the first woman to win the prize in 55 years. The scientists were recognized for the invention of optical tweezers and a method for creating powerful lasers. Todd Adams of Florida State University explains how these tools of light have revolutionized modern life, providing a window into the microscopic world of bacteria and insights into the origins of
the universe.
Sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and the #MeToo movement more broadly, have raised questions about taking moral responsibility for actions committed years ago. Arizona State’s Andrew Khoury writes there are reasons to think that our moral responsibility for transgressions of our past could ease with time – but that depends on how profoundly individuals no longer resemble their former
selves.
Not all donors to charity give money. Charitable gifts in the form of bitcoin or other digital currencies are growing more common. That’s a concern because such gifts can “can take more tax revenue out of government coffers” than the charities get in return, explain law professor Philip Hackney and accounting scholar Brian Mittendorf.
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Bijal Trivedi
Science and Technology Editor
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Top stories
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The 2018 Nobel Prize for physics recognized discoveries that can make more powerful lasers.
Todd Adams, Florida State University
The Nobel Prize for physics was awarded to three scientists for the inventions of optical tweezers – in which two laser beams can hold a tiny object – and a method for creating powerful lasers.
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The #MeToo movement and more recent allegations against Brett Kavanaugh have posed questions about past conduct.
AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File
Andrew Khoury, Arizona State University
Whether the sins of our past stay with us forever has become a pertinent question of our time. A philosopher argues we don't need to carry our past burdens – although there are some moral conditions.
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The value of bitcoin gifts is subject to swift changes.
Natali_ Mis/Shutterstock.com
Philip Hackney, University of Pittsburgh; Brian Mittendorf, The Ohio State University
Harvesting gains from digital money by giving some of it away can be better for donors than the nonprofits they support.
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Environment + Energy
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Anja Scheffers, Southern Cross University
A combination of tectonic plates, geography and poor infrastructure make Indonesia vulnerable to deadly tsunamis.
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Heather Welch, University of California, Santa Cruz; Elliott Lee Hazen, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Stephanie Brodie, University of California, Santa Cruz
A new tool called EcoCast helps fishermen in the West Coast figure out where it's best to fish that day.
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Health + Medicine
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Duane Mitchell, University of Florida
James Allison and Tasuku Honjo won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for encouraging immune cells to attack cancer. See how their work has revolutionized cancer therapies and medicine.
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Melissa J. Armstrong, University of Florida
Media pioneer Ted Turner's announcement that he has Lewy body dementia brings the illness into the spotlight, which is rare. A neurologist explains why it's hard to even get a correct diagnosis.
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Politics + Society
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Erica Stone Drennan, Columbia University
A century ago, Russian leaders staged mock trials on rape and abortion to educate citizens about new Soviet laws and values. Then, as now, victim-blaming and 'he said, she said' marred the verdict.
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Lisa Heyamoto, University of Oregon; Todd Milbourn, University of Oregon
Researchers set out across four cities to ask the public, what it would it take to rebuild your trust in the media? Here's what they said.
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Most read on site
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Janet Bednarek, University of Dayton
On Sept. 30, 1968, the first Boeing 747 rolled off the assembly line, ready to hit the skies as the bigger commercial jet at the time. Today, as its days as a civilian carrier come to a close, the first jumbo jet remains an icon of aviation.
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Christopher H. Hendon, University of Oregon
The science behind why what your barista achieves at the cafe tastes better than what you can come up with at home.
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Calvin Schermerhorn, Arizona State University
Contentious or politically driven Supreme Court nominations are not new. But US history shows that many of those contested nominees who were confirmed would go on to author controversial opinions.
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