LND topic: zhixin-liu page 1

zhixin liu

How Inner Peace Can Shield Your Heart

December 27, 2025

The heart is more than just a pump. It's a complex system that can be affected by what's going on in our minds and spirits. Scientists have known for a while that feeling down or anxious can harm the tiny blood vessels in our hearts. But what about the opposite? What if feeling at peace with oneself

science

A Strange Planet and Its Tiny Star: A Cosmic Oddity

December 26, 2025

In the vast cosmos, a peculiar planet has caught the eye of scientists. This world, dubbed PSR J2322-2650b, is as big as Jupiter but has a unique lemon-like shape. What makes it even stranger is its atmosphere, which is a mix of helium and molecular carbon, something never seen before. This planet

environment

How do plants and fibers team up to make concrete better for nature?

December 24, 2025

Plants and fibers can work together to make concrete more eco-friendly. This is especially important for protecting slopes from erosion. But how exactly do they do this? And what happens when the plants die? These are the big questions scientists are trying to answer. First, let's talk about the pl

education

Unlocking Reading Success: Milwaukee Schools Take a Closer Look

December 23, 2025

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has been on a journey to improve reading skills among students. The district has been trying to use the science of reading (SOR), but it hasn't been easy. James Ferguson, a school board director, wanted to know why. He turned to Tina Owen-Moore, the district's board cl

science

NASA's Balloon Adventure in Antarctica

December 22, 2025

In the vast, icy expanse of Antarctica, something extraordinary is happening. A massive helium balloon, carrying a high-tech experiment, is soaring high above the Earth's surface. This isn't just any balloon—it's part of NASA's annual Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon campaign. The goal? To explore th

science

A Lemon-Shaped Planet: A Cosmic Mystery

December 22, 2025

In the vast expanse of space, a peculiar planet has caught the attention of scientists. This planet, PSR J2322-2650b, is not your typical round world. It's shaped like a lemon, thanks to the intense gravity of its nearby star. This star is a pulsar, a type of neutron star that spins rapidly and emit

environment

Heavy Metals in Water: What's Happening in New Mexico After the Big Fire?

December 20, 2025

In New Mexico, a big fire called the Calf Canyon Hermits Peak fire left a mark. Now, people are worried about their water. Heavy metals have been found in some private wells near the fire area. The New Mexico Environment Department is offering free tests for well water in parts of Mora, San Miguel,

science

A Peculiar Planet Puzzles Scientists

December 19, 2025

A planet that looks like a lemon and behaves even stranger has left scientists scratching their heads. This oddball, named PSR J2322–2650b, is not your typical planet. It's not even orbiting a normal star. Instead, it's circling a pulsar, which is the leftover core of a dead star. This pulsar is sup

sports

Michigan's 2026 Recruits: What's Next After the Big Change?

December 18, 2025

Right now, Michigan's football team is in a bit of a mess. The coach, Sherrone Moore, was let go, and that has left a lot of uncertainty. This uncertainty is also affecting the recruits who had signed up to join the team in 2026. So far, only two recruits have decided to leave. Matt Ludwig, a four-

health

How Exercise Can Give Us Clues About Our Blood Vessels

December 16, 2025

Our blood vessels have a special lining called the endothelium. Doctors can check how well this lining works by using a trick called flow-mediated dilation (FMD). When blood flow increases, it pushes against the vessel walls, and a healthy endothelium responds by widening the vessel. This widening i