分类： science

A peculiar yet pervasive problem in households worldwide—smelly shoes—has inspired two Indian researchers to delve into the science behind the stench. Vikash Kumar, an assistant professor of design at Shiv Nadar University, and his former student Sarthak Mittal, embarked on a journey to understand how foul-smelling footwear affects the experience of using a shoe rack. Their innovative research not only addressed a common annoyance but also earned them the Ig Nobel Prize, a prestigious award celebrating unusual and imaginative scientific endeavors. The duo’s study began with a simple observation: students often left their shoes outside their rooms due to the overpowering odor, not due to a lack of space. A survey of 149 university students revealed that more than half had felt embarrassed by their own or someone else’s smelly shoes. Traditional remedies like tea bags or baking soda proved ineffective. Turning to science, the researchers identified Kytococcus sedentarius, a bacterium thriving in sweaty shoes, as the primary culprit. Their experiments demonstrated that a brief exposure to UVC light effectively killed the bacteria and eliminated the odor. However, timing was crucial—too much exposure damaged the shoes. Their solution? A prototype shoe rack equipped with UVC tube lights, designed to store and sterilize shoes simultaneously. The Ig Nobel Prize recognized their work, highlighting the fun and imaginative side of science. The award has not only brought recognition but also inspired the researchers to explore more unconventional scientific questions. As Kumar aptly put it, today’s smelly sneakers could pave the way for tomorrow’s groundbreaking discoveries.

China has announced a groundbreaking mission to deliberately impact a near-Earth asteroid by 2030, marking a significant leap in its planetary defense and asteroid resource utilization capabilities. This initiative, revealed by Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, underscores the nation’s growing ambitions in space exploration and its intent to lead in planetary defense technologies. The mission involves deploying two spacecraft: one as a kinetic impactor and another as an observer to monitor the collision and its effects. This dual approach aims to validate asteroid deflection techniques and assess their feasibility for planetary defense. The announcement comes three years after NASA’s successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in 2022, which demonstrated the potential of kinetic impactors to alter asteroid trajectories. China’s plan, however, goes beyond defense, signaling a strategic vision for deep-space resource extraction and economic exploitation. The mission’s dual-use nature has sparked discussions about its potential military applications, particularly in anti-satellite operations. Despite these concerns, China has invited over 40 countries and organizations to collaborate on joint monitoring and research efforts, emphasizing international cooperation. The mission’s complexity lies in its precision and unpredictability, as scientists grapple with the unknown internal composition of asteroids. China’s long-term strategy includes achieving kinetic impact milestones by 2030, propulsion-based deflection tests by 2035, and mastering full-scale asteroid orbit technology by 2045. This ambitious timeline aligns with the anticipated maturity of asteroid resource utilization, positioning China as a key player in the emerging trillion-dollar space economy.

The late 16th century marked a pivotal era in global exploration, but long before Europeans reached China by sea, ancient Chinese scholars had already developed a sophisticated understanding of the world. This knowledge, encapsulated in a 15th-century map, offers a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual and cultural exchanges of the time. The *Honil Gangni Yeokdae Gukdo Ji Do* (Map of Integrated Lands and Regions of Historical Countries and Capitals), created by Koreans in 1402, is a testament to this early global awareness. This map, now housed at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan, was based on earlier Chinese maps from the Mongol Yuan era, reflecting a blend of scientific geography, national sentiment, and cultural imagination. The map’s depiction of regions from Japan to Africa and Europe raises intriguing questions about how Asians acquired such detailed geographical knowledge before Europeans. Scholars suggest that Persian-Arab astronomical and geographical knowledge, transmitted during the Mongol Empire, played a crucial role. This map not only highlights the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations but also challenges the notion of a closed-off ancient China, revealing a rich tradition of intellectual and cultural exchange.

The first space race was defined by symbolic achievements like planting flags and leaving footprints on the moon. Today, the focus has shifted dramatically. The new frontier is about building sustainable infrastructure on the lunar surface, and the key to this endeavor lies in power generation. In April 2025, China announced ambitious plans to construct a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2035, aimed at supporting its proposed international lunar research station. Not to be outdone, the United States, through NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy, revealed intentions to deploy a lunar reactor by 2030. While these developments may seem sudden, they are the culmination of years of research and development by NASA and the Department of Energy into small nuclear power systems designed for lunar bases, mining operations, and long-term habitats. From the perspective of space law, this is not an arms race but a strategic infrastructure race, where influence is wielded through the establishment of critical facilities. A lunar nuclear reactor, while dramatic, is neither illegal nor unprecedented. If implemented responsibly, it could enable peaceful exploration, economic growth, and technological advancements for deeper space missions. However, it also raises significant questions about access, safety, and geopolitical influence. The legal framework for such endeavors already exists, with the 1992 UN Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space providing guidelines for safety and international consultation. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty further governs space activity, emphasizing cooperation and due regard for other nations. Being the first to establish a lunar reactor could set norms for future lunar presence and operations, particularly in resource-rich areas like the moon’s south pole, where water ice could sustain life and fuel rockets. Critics have raised concerns about radiation risks, but adherence to UN safety protocols could mitigate these issues. Solar power, while viable in some regions, is unreliable in the moon’s permanently shadowed craters, making nuclear energy a practical necessity. The deployment of nuclear power on the moon is not just about lunar exploration; it is a stepping stone for missions to Mars and beyond. The United States has an opportunity to lead not only in technology but also in governance by adhering to international guidelines and promoting transparency. The future of lunar exploration will be shaped by who builds what and how, with infrastructure serving as the cornerstone of influence in the next era of space exploration.