The “glassy state” is a sub-state of matter—glassy water and ice, for example, are chemically identical and are both solid, but have a different structure. Put another way, ice is crystalline, whereas glass is, well, chunky. Scientists know a lot about glasses that form from ordinary silicates, sugars and metals. But when water makes the transition to its glassy state, it behaves very oddly. ASU chemist C. Austen Angell has found a vital clue that helps explain water’s bizarre behavior at the glass transition and gained important insights into phases of liquid water, as well. --by Nicholas Gerbis

An unusual new species of whirligig beetle from India has been named Orectochilus orbisonorum in honor of the late rock and roll legend Roy Orbison and his widow Barbara. ASU entomologist Quentin Wheeler announced the description and discovery of the beetle species Jan. 25 during a Roy Orbison Tribute Concert at ASU. Barbara was also presented with an original print titled "Whirligig," created by ASU's CJ Kazilek.

Quick: What’s the order of the planets in the solar system? It's Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, right? That's right today. But four billion years ago, Uranus and Neptune switched places. How do we know? With the help of a very Nice model, for starters. --by Nikki Staab

A majority of Southwesterners see undocumented immigration as a "very serious problem." Even so, they are sympathetic towards law-abiding immigrants in the U.S. who want to improve their lives, according to a new ASU phone survey. The survey polled more than 1,000 residents in AZ, NV, TX and NM about their views on immigration, the presidential race, and quality of life. --by Carol Hughes

ASU researchers are using bacteria and sunlight to generate hydrogen, a clean fuel that produces no greenhouse gases. The biohydrogen project aims to harness the energy in sunlight using microbial photosynthesis to produce hydrogen. --by Skip Derra

Scientists at ASU have developed the world’s first gene detection platform made up entirely from self-assembled DNA nanostructures. The structures are made using "DNA origami" techniques to create spatially addressable nanoarrays. The work could have broad implications for gene chip technology and may also revolutionize the way in which gene expression is analyzed in a single cell. --by Joe Caspermeyer

Taking apple cider vinegar at bedtime favorably affects waking blood glucose in Type 2 diabetics, according to a preliminary study from ASU. --by Christine Lambrakis

The elusive Gila monster hides a nifty trick under its belt--a bladder that acts like a canteen, making up 20 percent of its body weight when full. The adaptation lets the lizard survive up to 95 days without access to water--long enough to endure the rigors of the Sonoran Desert. --by Margaret Coulombe

Microbial fuel cell technology uses the tiniest organisms on the planet--bacteria--as a viable option to make electricity. By linking bacterial metabolism directly with electricity production, the MFC eliminates the extra steps necessary in other fuel cell technologies. --by Joe Caspermeyer