Good Morning Reader, Welcome to STEMlights!
This week, we will be discussing Facebook's dilemma with misinformation, spotlighting Antoine Lavoisier, and as always, providing STEM opportunities for students.
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Facebook's Dilemma with Misinformation
Why is freedom of speech important? When, if ever, is it possible to regulate it? The first amendment of the Bill of Rights introduces the concept of freedom of speech which appears to be clearly expressed on the surface. However, it becomes convoluted when these questions are posed: what types of speech are allowed and in what context? Thus, when the citizens of a democracy engage in false speech, the significance of the freedom of speech becomes compromised. People naturally begin to question the value and purpose of freedom of speech.
Democracy is described as how people interact to define their common purpose. In today’s modern society, social media is redefining how we connect and modifying the foundations of our democracy in positive and negative ways. Echo chambers are characterized as a space in which a person experiences only thoughts or viewpoints that are similar to their own, thus reinforcing their current views and excluding opposing concepts. On the other hand, epistemic bubbles, a social epistemic system in which other essential voices and the truth have been omitted, usually inadvertently.
An article by C. Thi Nguyen entitled Echo Chambers and Epistemic Bubbles states that social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter use behavioral psychology research and algorithms to influence users. The algorithm is calculated based on the user's personal information and interests. “Many users do not know about the existence of algorithmic personal filtering. Even amongst those that do, most do not have access to the particularities of the algorithms doing the filtering.” Facebook has been the target of misinformation for more than a decade which has been further revealed since the 2020 election and the current COVID-19 pandemic (vaccine misinformation). The platform has also aided the permeation of hate speech and disinformation in India in recent days.
Past events have made it evident that if we do not implement solutions to prevent false information from circulating, there will be adverse consequences.
To learn more about Facebook and its impact on privacy and democracy, click here.
Capsaicin is an active chemical normally found in spicy peppers, developed naturally to inhibit mites or other miniature pests from getting ahold of them by damaging their internal membranes and cells. Capsaicin is active in many aerosol-based pesticides and animal repellents, registered in 1962 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a biochemical pesticide. When consumed in large quantities, this hot chemical can contribute to stomach and intestinal irritation in addition to temporary blindness if exposed to the eye. Studies have shown that capsaicin is absorbed by the stomach, with greater amounts of the chemical concentrated in the brain and spinal cord. Research has shown that after injecting rats with the chemical, it was no longer present in their systems following a 17 hour time period, suggesting its prompt absorption and processing.
The glass frog is a small type of frog, ranging from 3 to 7.5 cm (1.2 to 3.0 inches) in length and 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 inches) in height, belonging to the Centrolenidae amphibian species. This carnivorous frog is located in the rainforests of Central and South America, relying mainly on crickets, moths, and small bugs to fulfill its diet. Their translucent and permeable skin gives them the name “glass frog,” making their internal anatomy visible to the eye. Glass frogs are harmless to humans and hence not poisonous, but are normally not held as pets due to their endangered state.
When walking outside on a rainy day, you might wonder why rain falls in droplets rather than in a stream. The reason why rain falls in drops is attributed to two reasons. The first is that when water evaporates into the atmosphere, the vapor naturally condenses into droplets in the formation of clouds with the aid of microscopic dust. In addition, because the surface tension of the droplets gets smaller as they get bigger, air resistance becomes stronger which splits the droplet into miniature drops. Therefore, by the time a voluminous drop makes its way to the ground, it will break apart into multiple drops similar in volume. It is also important to note that when droplets collide with one another, they can further subdivide.
Antoine Lavoisier
When you think of Halloween pranks, something that may come to mind is the marvelous explosions of Devil’s toothpaste. Back in 2020, Mark Rober, the influencer, showed the world the world’s largest Devil’s toothpaste reaction. As colors foamed and burst from the large test tube, it sparked the age old memories of science fair volcano explosions in elementary school.
The face you see featured today might be a familiar face for our readers in the chemistry department. Now, based on his wig and frilled scarf, he isn’t exactly considered the forefront of modern fashion. Meet Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry.
We owe much of today’s discoveries to this inquisitive French aristocrat. Surprisingly, he started in the lawyer tract. His father and maternal grandfather were both lawyers, and he was no exception. While he was in school for a law degree, he spent much of his free time staying in the laboratory and chemical lectures. During this time, alchemy and Greek elements of water, fire, air, and earth were being taught.
His breakthrough came in the form of another explosive substance. Gunpowder at the time was war’s currency. With international unrest in France throughout his lifetime, Lavoisier earned his name in the history books through the art of combustion. He and his wife, who would translate English chemistry into French, created a state of the art laboratory which drew chemists from across the world. He is credited with kicking off the Chemical Revolution in introducing 33 other substances as elements.
Unfortunately, he lost his head to the guillotine as a result of his forward thinking in politics. Nonetheless, his friend and noted mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange said at the time, remarked of this event, “It took them only an instant to cut off that head, and a hundred years may not produce another like it.” His impact on the S in STEM has lasted a long way past his death in 1794, and as we continue to see foaming wonders of the world, we can have him to thank for.
Do you enjoy what you're reading? Do you want to explore science journalism and write STEM-related articles every week? Join STEMlights by applying to be a STEMlights Program Coordinator, where you will help craft the newsletter with the rest of the team on a weekly basis. Each accepted Program Coordinator will attend meetings, learn and contribute to the inner workings of the team, lead a STEMlights section, and be mentored by their Lead(s) and fellow Program Coordinators. Applications will be read on a rolling basis, but make sure to apply when you can!
The Summer Science Program
The Summer Science Program (SSP) provides students with the ability to conduct actual research in topics such as Astrophysics and Biochemistry. This program is open to current high school juniors and have a certain amount of prerequisites that need to be fulfilled before application. Although there is a fee to this program, according to the website, "almost half of participants typically receive financial aid, including many who attend absolutely free." Applications open on December 15, but it's never too late to prepare!
Research Science Institute
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is another summer research program where 80 high school students gather at MIT to gain experience in the research field. For five weeks, students will work on research projects of their interest and prepare written/oral presentations at the end of the program. This program is cost free, and applications for the 2022 year will open at the end of November.
Robot that Moves like a Human!
Check out this video by Veritasium! It delves into the science of a robot that walks, flies, skateboards, and slacklines! Click through below to learn more!
Check out our social media! Click on the images below to view our STEM-based Instagram content, @stemlights.
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