Ryan Rykaczewski describes one of the most massive migrations on the planet, driven by the sun. Image by Tintinnidguy (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons 

#ExplainTheSun  - The Largest Migration on The Planet

Exoplanet astronomer Geoff Marcy, who was accused of sexual harassment by four former undergraduate students, resigned from the University of California, Berkeley this week. BuzzFeed News Science Reporter Azeen Ghorayshi, who broke the story, takes us through the developments. She also discusses a new test for dementia in dogs, as well as other selected short subjects in science from this week.

Plus, Cuba's government has opened up three dozen wifi hotspots on the island. The new hotspots could enhance information exchange and communication for Cubans, but they could also increase government surveillance. Journalist Jonathan Katz discusses the benefits and pitfalls of Cuba coming online.

News Roundup: Sexual Harassment Allegations, Doggie Dementia, and Cuban Internet

Once, there was the ordinary incandescent light bulb. It shone brightly, but wasted much of the energy put into it as heat. Then came the compact fluorescent. And as costs have dropped, consumers have increasingly been switching to light-emitting diode (LED) technology for many lighting applications, in an ongoing search for a more efficient bulb. Now, in work published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, researchers report that nanophotonic devices may be able to breathe new life into old incandescent technology. Marin Soljačić and Ognjen Ilic, two authors of the study, explain how they’ve been able to “recycle” some of the incandescent bulb’s wasted heat and re-emit it as visible light, boosting efficiency.

For the Lowly Incandescent Bulb, a Ray of Hope

Science, technology, and other cool stuff from public radio's Science Friday. It's brain fun, for curious people. From WNYC Studios.

News Roundup: Sexual Harassment Allegations, Doggie Dementia, and Cuban Internet

SciFri

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