STEM Beyond Seas

What do we mean by AI consuming water? Over the last few months the discussions surrounding AI and water shortages globally have become so intertwined that it has become near impossible to mention one without the other. But, what do we really mean when we say AI is consuming our already limited fresh water supplies, why not just use ocean water, and why can't we find alternatives? Let's start by answering the first question, why do AI data centers need so much water in the fi

Introduction Human activities have caused a steady rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), throwing the natural carbon cycle out of balance and driving climate change and the greenhouse effect. This makes it urgent to develop effective technologies that lower CO2 levels. One promising approach is electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR), which uses renewable energy like solar or wind power to turn CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals. Beyond tackling environmental problems, th

Milettia Sacleuxii, more commonly known as Sacleux’s wisteria, is a tree with a length 10 metres or taller. It has a small native range, classified as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Ajna Fern, et al. 2011). The Millettia Sacleuxii is a rare and ecologically significant tree species in regards to climate and ecosystem biodiversity, as it is a ‘hotspot’ for unique lifeforms. It is found in the Eastern Arc forests of Tanzania, in the Nguru and Usambara

Imagine you're the holder of a special passport that has many possible nationalities at once until authorities check it, at which point it is forced to randomly resolve into one citizenship. That's how quantum superposition works. You are the electron. The electron has a dual nature and exists in both wave and particle forms, which is technically impossible. This is until it is observed and interacts with its surroundings, forcing it to “choose” one nature. Even though Austri

Ecosystems don’t stay the same - they evolve. Recently, however, the pace of change has accelerated dramatically, driven by two interconnected forces : invasive species and infectious diseases. Far from being distant biological phenomena, these twin threats actively reshape our world - collapsing local fisheries, devastating agricultural crops, driving native wildlife toward extinction, and triggering global health crises. Understanding how invaders and pathogens work togethe

How long do you think we have until the Earth becomes uninhabitable? The Aztecs believed it would happen in 2012, but thankfully, they were wrong. Nowadays, some scientists think it will take at least 1.5 billion years; others, much sooner – 150 million years, according to BBC Science Focus. Although we might not need to leave our dear home for another 15 million centuries, space exploration has long piqued humanity’s interest. Hence, exploring other planets in the Solar Syst

What is it? First grown in Central Asia and spread throughout the world, Cannabis has become hugely influential. It has many different names including ‘‘marijuana’’ and ‘‘weed”, and it can also be used for food, tea, cigarettes, and medicine. Cannabis is composed of chemicals named cannabinoids, the most known being THC and CBD. THC produces the mental “high,” and CBD has effects of relaxation, happiness, and feelings related to that of wellbeing (Mary Jo DiLonardo, 2021). If

Introduction Have you ever wondered why your hands get sweaty when you’re nervous or perhaps why you get butterflies in your stomach? This is because your brain controls everything you do, from breathing to blinking, usually without you noticing. Emotions, such as excitement and confusion can trigger physical changes in your body through the nervous system, which connects the body to the mind. This connection lets signals travel extremely fast, up to 300 miles an hour!¹ Wi