Discover 2018-09.pdf

PLUSSCIENCE FOR THE CURIOUSBURNING MANS VANISHING ACT P.46Keeping the Random in Random Numbers P.54A Symphony in the Sea P.40How Coincidence Works P.24TECHEXPLOSIONHow Nuclear WeaponsAre Sparking aDigital RevolutionDiscoverSEPTEMBER 2018BONUSONLINE CONTENT CODE p.3(719)676-2700 PO Box 19818 Colorado City,CO 81019-0818“We used to cut everythingby hand and had a lot of trouble.Now our PlasmaCAM does it all,attaining levels of production not thought possible before.Its run 40-50 hours a week for the past three years.It attains incredible detail,is very easy and cost HI FLHQWWRRSHUDWHDQGrequires little maintenance.The bottom line is:this machine makes me money!”-JonRestaurant Lighting&Fixturest.BLFSUJTUJD1SPKFDUTBOE.FDIBOJDBM1BSUTt$VU%FUBJMFE$VTUPN8PSLPS.BTT1SPEVDUJPOt*ODMVEFT*OEVTUSZ-FBEJOH4PGUXBSFt4JNQMFUP0QFSBUF3VOT0GG:PVS$PNQVUFS$BMMXJUIUIJTDPEFRN6HGGPSZPVS3&EFNPWJEFPUPEBZSeptember 2018 DISCOVER 3 Contents SEPTEMBER 2018 VOL.39,NO.729 Tech ExplosionScientists cant explode nukes in the real world,so theyve gotten creative and helped spark a tech revolution in the process.BY ERIC BETZ40 Hearing NemoIt turns out fsh are quite the chatterboxes.Scientists have begun eavesdropping on the conversations happening beneath the waves.BY HELEN SCALES 46 Te Vanishing CityBurning Mans temporary desert community has attracted the interest of two scientists.Their work is broadening a novel feld of archaeology.BY JONATHON KEATS54 Chance EncountersRandom numbers are the foundation of online security,protecting everything from urban infrastructure to airline ticket sales.But the numbers are running out,and creating more is harder than it sounds.BY TIM FOLGERSCOTT LONDON AND JEREMY GUILLORYFEATURESThe annual pop-up city for Burning Man gives scientists a front-row seat to study what is(and isnt)left behind.See page 46.Website access code:DSD1809 Enter this code at:www.DiscoverM to gain access to exclusive subscriber content.ContentsPLUSSCIENCE FOR THE CURIOUSBURNING MANS VANISHING ACT P.46Keeping the Random in Random Numbers P.54A Symphony in the Sea P.40How Coincidence Works P.24TECHEXPLOSIONHow Nuclear WeaponsAre Sparking aDigital RevolutionDiscoverSEPTEMBER 20184 DISCOVERMAGAZINE.COMCOLUMNS&DEPARTMENTS6 EDITORS NOTENuclear FalloutAs a nuclear arms race ended,a nuclear tech race began.7 INBOXReaders weigh in on future tech and an unhealthy diet in the early 1900s American South.18 VITAL SIGNSTongue TwisterPaul and Janet had been married for 40 years.But one day,Paul woke up speaking a language she couldnt understand.BY ELIEZER J.STERNBERG24 MIND OVER MATTERWhat a CoincidencePeople who seek meaning in life tend to fnd it everywhere.BY AMY PATUREL9 THE CRUXSpecial metal disks that help map the cosmos also make spiffy coffee tables;over 10 years ago,a man boldly claimed to have found ancient pyramids now he has more to say;a global census of life on Earth reveals plants hold the upper hand;and more.TOP:ROEN KELLY/DISCOVER.BOTTOM FROM LEFT:ISSELEE/DREAMSTIME.COM;GEKASKR/DREAMSTIME.COMON THE COVERBurning Mans Vanishing Act p.46Tech Explosion p.29Keeping the Random in Random Numbers p.54A Symphony in the Sea p.40How Coincidence Works p.24COVER:A nuclear blast was part of Operation Plumbbob in 1957 at the Nevada National Security Site.Image by the USAF Lookout Mountain Laboratory62 ORIGIN STORYHopeful MonstersIs it time to tear up the old lexicon and redefne what a species is?BY BRIDGET ALEX68 OUT THERETonights SupernovaA massive explosion could light up our skies,and its long overdue.BY YVETTE CENDES74 20 THINGS YOU DIDNT KNOW ABOUT GrapheneIts in your pencil,can color your hair and one day might propel you through space.BY GEMMA TARLACH We are due for what could be the astronomical event of the century.Read more on page 68.The definition of species may need some tweaking.Read more on page 62.Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aid Technology Only$229!*(*Each when you buy a pair)The new more powerful HearClearTM HCR2 rechargeable hearing aid combines advanced technology with a low price to provide you with outstanding value.T e new HearClearTM HCR2 Rechargeable Digital Hearing Aids are now available to you for an unbelievably af ordable price!T e HCR2 is packed with same key technologies that all high end digital hearing aids share while leaving out the extra bells and whistles that increase cost and require expensive adjustments.T is helps you hear better,while saving you a lot of money.Your new HearClear HCR2 hearing aids work at a fraction of the cost of name-brand hearing aids,and you dont have to keep changing the batteries!You will love the discreet,comfortable,lightweight Open-f t design.T e HCR2 is shipped directly to you and pre-programmed for most hearing losses.It will help you hear better right out of the box and does not require professional appointments to make costly adjustments.You can spend thousands for an expensive hearing aid,or you can spend just$249 for a hearing aid that is great for most hearing losses(only$229 ea