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Materials Science

Tiles stack for shell strength in abalone

In abalone shells, microscopic tiles of calcium carbonate stack on top of each other in a highly ordered arrangement to create a superstrong material.

Physics

Putting a new spin on silicon

Embedding ions of manganese in silicon imparts a magnetic field to the otherwise nonmagnetic semiconductor.

Earth

Of X rays, viruses, and cooked meat

The National Toxicology Program updated its list of human carcinogens to include X rays and several viruses and added lead and some compounds formed in overcooked meats to its list of probable human carcinogens.

Agriculture

Illegal cigarettes pack toxic punch

Tobacco used in counterfeit cigarettes is apparently grown using metal-laced fertilizers, making the fake products even more harmful than the real things.