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Can we determine the shape of a drum by analyzing the sounds it produces? This has been a longstanding question in mathematics for the past 70 years. In 1954, George Polya, a renowned Hungarian-American mathematician,  proposed a conjecture suggesting a link between the vibration frequencies of certain geometric shapes, including rectangles, triangles, or disks, and their physical shapes.

The gradual increase in seawater levels has contributed to the gradual sinking of coastal cities in the United States. This problem continues to be a silent problem that risks flooding and the livelihood or lifestyle of locals in these cities. Researchers from different universities in the US, Canada, England, and India have all reported and created a study to examine the potential impacts of subsidence in 32 cities along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts.

Following the post-pandemic trend of everything digitizing, College Board's SAT exam has gone digital for the spring of 2024. Juniors taking the exam soon are likely already aware that they will be foregoing the pencil and paper for a laptop or tablet, but for the underclassmen planning out their high school careers and just in case you didn’t know, here’s a run down of the new exam.

With the rise of modern technology comes the rise of electricity, and thousands of different ways in which it can be used to benefit humanity.  Electricity is quite the common commodity today, but its brilliance was rarely taken advantage of just a couple of centuries ago… by humans, that is. Turns out, nature has once again beaten us to harness the power of some mysterious, omnipresent resource in unthinkable ways.

In 2023, TikTok was overrun by a new type of influencer: the “de-influencer.” Unlike influencers, who advertise products and have you buy things (a phenomenon promoted by TikTok and Instagram through their in-app shops), de-influencers convince their audience not to buy certain products that may be trending on social media at the moment. This could be anything from the plastic containers people are buying on Amazon to Stanley cups to Dyson Air Wraps, which were incredibly hot last year.

Since the War in Gaza started in October, an estimated 1.7 million people — more than 75% of Gaza’s population — have been displaced. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 31,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Reports from the Gaza Health Ministry also say more than 13,000 children have been killed since the end of October. Entire families have been wiped off of Gaza’s health registry.

While technology has enhanced our ability to explore the ocean, scientists continually uncover new discoveries from its profound depths. Recent studies have revealed an invisible line that delineates two distinct types of marine life. Moreover, this research has illuminated unique ecosystems that exist beneath the ocean's surface, presenting a stark contrast to the more familiar ecosystems found in the upper layers of the ocean. 

"I am an active duty member of the United States Air Force. And I will no longer be complicit in genocide," Aaron Bushnell, a 25 year old cyber defense operations specialist, said while walking to the Israeli embassy in a video of the incident. “I'm about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it's not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal." Bushnell, dressed in uniform, then walked up to the driveway of the Israeli Embassy and set down the phone he was livestreaming on. He doused himself in an accelerant and lit himself on fire, shouting “Free Palestine” repeatedly as he was burning.

Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny was a Russian opposition leader famous for his anti-government demonstrations and direct opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK)  and was recognised by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience, and was awarded the Sakharov Prize regarding his activism on human rights. Of  both Russian and Ukrainian descent, Navalny described Russia’s ruling party as a “party of crooks and thieves”  back in 2011.  He and the FBK have published reports and investigations detailing the corruptive efforts of Russian officials and their associates.

Picture the following: you, like any sensible human, enjoy a good risotto. One faithful day, you flavor your arborio rice with some interesting new herbs before enjoying the meal. It tastes a little strange, but you dismiss the thought and continue to dig in. The next day is record-breakingly hot, and temperatures are only rising. You step outside, expecting to be struck by a disgusting wave of heat, but the intense sun actually feels pleasant. Energizing, in fact. Something on your arm catches your eye - freckles unlike any you’ve ever seen. A deep green, they oddly resemble the herby seasoning you added to your risotto just the day before. Could this be the source of your newfound energy?