Books in Headline Science series

Soaking up the sun at the beach can be a fun, relaxing way to spend a summer day. But if you’re not careful, ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your skin. Government agencies have developed tools, such as the UV index and a UV ray warning system, to help people protect against the sun’s rays. But UV Rays can be useful. They are used to study space, create fluorescent bulbs, and even treat certain skin diseases. Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind UV Rays.

Imagine you had recently read online about an exciting new roller coaster that was almost completed. Now, as you peer over the edge of the new coaster’s enormous drop, one thing passes through your mind: This is going to be a wild ride! But what gives you that floating feeling as you speed around the track? Every time the roller coaster cart speeds up, slows down, or changes direction, your body is affected by g-forces. Engineers, automobile manufacturers, and even professional athletes continue to learn more about how g-forces work so they can develop sturdier buildings, safer cars, and better sports equipment. Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind gravity and g-forces.

While you crane your neck to see the top of a skyscraper or gaze at a bridge spanning a vast river, it might seem impossible that such impressive structures can collapse. But as we see from footage during a news story, even the sturdiest buildings can crumble into a pile of metal, concrete, and wood. Sometimes the destruction is caused by winds from a hurricane or an increase in traffic on a bridge. Other times, the collapse may be caused by unsafe building materials. Understanding how such hazards can impact buildings, bridges, and levees can help architects, engineers, and contractors avoid devastating structural failures. Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind structural engineering failures.

A fuel cell is a device that converts chemicals into electricity without pollution. This clean energy can be used to power cars, homes, and businessesanything that uses electricity. A fuel cell is similar to a battery, but fuel cells dont go deadthey just need to be refilled. Fuel cells may be the future of energy, providing a clean alternative to burning fossil fuels. There is still work to be done before fuel cells will be practical for everyday use, but many scientists are working to produce safe, cost-effective fuel cells to power our world.

Have you ever experienced a hurricane? You certainly have read about them. During hurricane season, these storms are front-page news. A hurricane is one of the largest and most powerful weather events in nature. These giant storms form on the open sea. They cause strong winds and flooding that can endanger property and life. Scientists study hurricanes to understand how and why they form. Some fly airplanes into the center of the storm to gather data. They also work to predict these storms so that people can be prepared. Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind hurricanes.

From R2-D2 and C-3PO to the Terminator, robots have added an exciting edge to movies for decades. But what about robots that are used in real life? Robots are programmed to perform tasks that are either too difficult or too dangerous for humans to do. They can also repeat an action hundreds of times exactly the same way each time. These robots have been extremely useful in manufacturing plants, automotive industries, and even our own homes. The future of robotics, however, lies with autonomous robots, robots that can act independently. This rise of artificial intelligence leads to an unlimited number of possibilities in robotics.

The devastating effects of earthquakes have been seen throughout history, and the damage of these ground-trembling natural disasters still creates havoc today. Scientists are developing new instruments to detect earthquakes before they happen. And since earthquakes cannot be prevented, they are also developing new methods to prepare for the extreme shaking. These advancements, along with advance warning systems, are the future of seismology and could help save lives.

From hurricanes to droughts to melting glacial ice, the signs are all around us: Our world is warming up. Global warming results from many factors. Gases in the atmosphere trap rays of heat and light, creating a greenhouse effect. Natural feedback processes, too, create cycles that contribute to global warming. If left unchecked, there could be devastating consequences for our world. Many plants and animals may not survive the change in climate, while diseases are likely to flourish in the warmer conditions. But with many governments and individuals taking steps to fight global warming, there is still hope that future generations will inherit a healthy environment.

A fuel cell is a device that converts chemicals into electricity without pollution. This clean energy can be used to power cars, homes, and businesses, anything that uses electricity. A fuel cell is similar to a battery, but fuel cells don’t go “dead” they just need to be refilled. Fuel cells may be the future of energy, providing a clean alternative to burning fossil fuels. There is still work to be done before fuel cells will be practical for everyday use, but many scientists are working to produce safe, cost-effective fuel cells to power our world.

From hurricanes to droughts to melting glacial ice, the signs are all around us: Our world is warming up. Global warming results from many factors. Gases in the atmosphere trap rays of heat and light, creating a greenhouse effect. Natural feedback processes, too, create cycles that contribute to global warming. If left unchecked, there could be devastating consequences for our world. Many plants and animals may not survive the change in climate, while diseases are likely to flourish in the warmer conditions. But with many governments and individuals taking steps to fight global warming, there is still hope that future generations will inherit a healthy environment.

The devastating effects of earthquakes have been seen throughout history, and the damage of these ground-trembling natural disasters still creates havoc today. Scientists are developing new instruments to detect earthquakes before they happen. And since earthquakes cannot be prevented, they are also developing new methods to prepare for the extreme shaking. These advancements, along with advance warning systems, are the future of seismology and could help save lives.