Science News: May 2025

Saturday, May 17, 2025

NASA finds Strange Cosmic Bubble Around the Solar System?!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P983eOhGE2w

Friday, May 16, 2025

Humans only came out of the last period of mass glaciation 12,000 years ago. Apparently, these stone-age people got busy.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1572/

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Did We Get the Double Slit Experiment All Wrong?

The double-slit experiment is a cornerstone of quantum physics. If our understanding of it were to change, it could upend the entire foundation of physics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpMcC-E5l5c

This video doesn't explain the topic very clearly—it doesn't shed much light on it. 🙂 So, it feels more like an argument over semantics.

Einstein believed that quantum physics describes systems probabilistically because of hidden variables that we are unable to perceive. Personally, I think it's quite plausible that events occur on such an infinitesimal scale that they're simply beyond our ability to detect. In this case, we have to rely on theory instead of experimentation.

Water Purification and Removing PFAS from Water

I like drinking bottled water, which reportedly may not be much different from tap water—unless it's labeled as purified. To save money and avoid the hassle of buying bottled water, I was planning to get a water purification pitcher.

I spent a lot of time yesterday comparing different brands. I first came across this website:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g39110423/best-water-filter-pitchers/

It recommends the Brita pitcher, primarily due to its low cost per gallon. Brita filters produce about 120 gallons of filtered water, making them very inexpensive to use.

However, after doing more research, I found that a couple of other brands are significantly better at filtering water, especially when removing PFAS. According to the video I referenced in my previous email below, PFAS are widespread in water supplies and can accumulate in the body over time, potentially posing health risks.

I saw a video comparing the Zerowater pitcher with Brita and Amazon-branded pitchers, and the Zerowater model performed far better, producing nearly pure water.

I initially planned to order the 10-cup version of the Zerowater pitcher from Walmart, but I found the 12-cup version at a lower price, so I ordered that one instead:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JA5H7GK

How much does it cost to use?

Distilled water costs around $1.33 per gallon.
Member's Mark purified bottled water from Sam's Club costs about $0.81 per gallon.
The Zerowater pitcher is more expensive to use than other filter pitchers. Each $15 filter produces only about 15 gallons, roughly $1 per gallon.
You can reduce the cost somewhat by buying filters in bulk, and some compatible generic filters are available for about half the price.

I also mentioned considering a reverse osmosis system for my home, which might be a better long-term solution.

On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 1:19 PM John Coffey wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2eSujzrUY&t=1980s

Before seeing this video, I was planning on buying a water purification jug.

The video makes me want to get a reverse osmosis system. I already have one, but it is broken.

Achieving Fusion…again! NIF surpass their own record for energy generated

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JXk_GPIXZgg

I don't see this ever becoming a practical fusion. According to one YouTuber, the claim of getting more energy out doesn't include all the energy needed to do the experiment, by a ratio of like 10 to 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4W1g-6JiY

We might get practical fusion either around the year 2100 or sooner, by necessity, since we will be running out of fossil fuels. But I don't think that it is likely in my lifetime.

According to Google AI, there is enough Uranium to power nuclear (fission) power plants for centuries. So maybe we are looking at the wrong technology. Much of the research is funded by the government, so I can't help but think that there is a mentality where we feel like we have to be the first to achieve it before our enemies do.