It’s a big day for Northeastern’s senior class. Congratulations to everyone finally taking their use-inspired-experience out into the world. I love a good alumni blog post, so keep in touch…

Of course, big things happening around the world of science this week too. Take, for instance, the bloated, rotting whale that washed up on the shores of Trout River, Newfoundland. It’s apparently a more common phenomenon than you might expect (or hope).

The world was also introduced, this week, to the most amazing pen ever created. Get one.

Some physicists released a paper reporting on a thought experiment in which they consider “memories of the future,” which they argue are a plausible concept in certain scenarios…although I’m having a hard time distinguishing the idea from that of just predicting the future based on current data and likely outcomes…anyone want to help me out on this one?

All those students graduating today will surely relish in not having to take any more notes for at least a little while. But when they do so again, they should consider using an old fashioned pen and paper instead of a computer if they really want to retain the information, based on research released on the 23rd. I can totally attest to this, and anyone who’s sat through an interview with me knows that.

Researchers at Australia National University figured out how to make a tiny and cheap device that turns your smartphone into a microscope. You can, too!

The oceans are treasure troves of potential drug development starting points, and new work from researchers at the National Cancer Institute highlights that fact. They found a protein in corals that blocks HIV from getting into immune cells.

Happy May!