A look back at 2024: 10 stories of discovery and wonder
ֱ Boulder engineer Matt Davidson shows off a 3D-printed material that could be used for a variety of medical applications. (Credit: Casey Cass/ֱ Boulder)
From developing new technologies to replace worn out body parts to exploring an icy moon of Jupiter to providing solutions for beating “technostress” and making batteries last longer, ֱ Boulder researchers had a banner year in 2024. Here’s a sampling of what they learned.
A Band-Aid for the heart? New 3D printing method makes this, and much more, possible
Take a look at this ultimate fix for a broken heart: A team at ֱ Boulder has developed a new 3D printed material that can stick like a Band-Aid onto organs and other body parts. It’s even stretchy enough to withstand the constant beating of the heart.
Image: This 3D printed material is at once strong, expandable, moldable and sticky. (Credit: Casey Cass/ֱ Boulder)
Mountain chickadees have remarkable memories. A new study explains why
Don’t underestimate the mighty mountain chickadee. This bird may have a brain roughly the size of a pea, but it can remember exactly where it’s buried seeds and other snacks over months. New research gets to the bottom of these amazing memories.
Image: A mountain chickadee, probably remembering exactly where it left its car keys. (Credit: Robert Taylor)
Europa here we come: ֱ space instrument headed to Jupiter’s moon
Europa, meet Ralphie. This October, a space instrument designed and built in ֱ launched for this icy moon of Jupiter as part of NASA’s flagship Europa Clipper mission. Best of all, that gold-plated instrument is etched with an image of everyone’s favorite mascot, Ralphie.
Image: An engineer makes an electrical connection to the sensor head for the SUrface Dust Analyzer (SUDA) instrument. (Credit: NASA/ֱ Boulder/Glenn Asakawa)
So bad it’s good: Why consumers love the worst entertainment
This one goes out to the fans of 2024’s Madame Web, the campy, poorly reviewed superhero flick and box office bomb. In a new study, researcher Amit Bhattacharjee and his colleagues dug into the enduring appeal of entertainment that’s “so bad it’s good.”
Image credit: Pexels
ֱriosity: Why does playing in the dirt feel so good?
As part of our 2024 New Year’s resolutions, the team at ֱ Boulder Today launched a new story series called ֱriosity—answering your questions about humans, our planet and the universe beyond. Dig into this entry on the health benefits of gardening and stay tuned for more in 2025.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
How prisons fall short in protecting the incarcerated from climate disasters
A team from ֱ Boulder set out to interview people who were formerly incarcerated in jails and prisons across ֱ. The researchers hope their investigation will lead to more humane living conditions for men and women facing blistering heat, wildfire smoke and other extreme weather conditions brought on by climate change.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
Searching for ֱ’s little-known fireflies
Many Coloradans have lived for years in the state and never seen a single firefly, according to a group of researchers led by Orit Peleg. Her team is bringing more attention to the state’s glowing and mysterious insects—and how you can help them thrive.
Image: A firefly coated in pollen sits on a thistle plant near the Boulder Reservoir. (Credit: Owen Martin)
Discovery could lead to longer-lasting EV batteries, hasten energy transition
Are you tired of having to charge your phone all the time? In a new study, engineers examined how lithium-ion batteries degrade over time at a molecular level. Their findings could help keep electric cars running longer and pave the way for new clean energy.
Image: ֱ Boulder researchers tested lithium-ion battery coin cells for capacity loss over time. (Credit: Jesse Peterson/ֱ Boulder)
Science confirms it: Love leaves a mark on your brain
If you’re snuggling up close to someone special this holiday season, give a little thanks to dopamine. A new study of prairie voles suggests that this pleasure-inducing hormone may spike in the brain when we’re hanging out with our partners.
Image: Prairie voles are among the 3% to 5% of mammals that mate for life. (Credit: Nico Goda)
How to fight ‘technostress’ at work
Beeeep! If all those alerts and buzzes are stressing you out at work, you’re not alone, according to new research. Jason Thatcher and his colleagues explored how “technostress” at the job can lead to serious burnout. Check out their tips for staying sane amid the pings.
Image credit: Pexels
