Science
The latest in science news, from the depths of space to the quantum realm.
New charging approach could extend battery life by at least 20%
November 07, 2022
The many cells that make up a lithium battery pack are not all equal; some will degrade and die faster than others. New research out of Stanford has found that the whole battery can live much longer if each cell gets an individual charging treatment.
Energy
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Multi-layer "liquid window" tech could help buildings save energy
February 02, 2023There are already "smart" windows that can be electronically switched between either letting sunlight through or blocking it. A new multi-layered one, however, can be set to several energy-saving light filtration modes. -
Acid coating converts regular electrolyzers to split seawater
February 02, 2023Green hydrogen is going to demand a lot of water for electrolysis – nine liters of pure water for every kilogram of hydrogen. Researchers say they've found a simple way to use seawater in standard electrolyzers, and that's big news for clean energy. -
Report: Japan's "hydrogen society" policy is a "complete failure"
January 25, 2023In 2017, Japan created a pioneering national hydrogen strategy, envisaging a carbon-neutral "hydrogen society." But a Renewable Energy Institute report slams the policy as catastrophically misguided, with 70% of its 10-year budget "spent on bad ideas."
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Medical
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Pop Rocks and molecular gastronomy inspire new tumor-fighting foam
February 02, 2023Using the same whipping siphon used in the culinary world, researchers have created a food-based foam that can be injected directly into tumors. The foam contains oxygen, which makes tumors more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. -
Brain activity could predict who is most likely to get PTSD
February 01, 2023When it comes to PTSD, much of the clinical research focuses on improving the condition rather than predicting it. However, a new study has uncovered a brain marker that seems to show who is more likely to develop PTSD when exposed to trauma. -
Lab-grown 3D skin grafts could be applied like "biological clothing"
February 01, 2023While bioengineered skin holds promise for people such as burn victims, the material has so far only been produced in flat sheets. Now, scientists have devised a method of growing it in 3D forms, which could be slipped onto the body like clothing.
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Space
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NASA's rotating detonation rocket engine posts record test results
January 31, 2023Explosions get you much more bang from your fuel buck than combustion – if your engine can withstand them. NASA believes the rotating detonation engine could be the future of deep space travel, and it's getting strong results in prototype testing. -
DARPA and NASA plan orbital nuclear rocket test
January 26, 2023NASA and DARPA have agreed to develop and test a nuclear rocket engine in space as soon as 2027. Using a nuclear reactor as its power source, it would outperform chemical rockets and greatly reduce the time for the first crewed Mars mission. -
Feel tiny in this gigantic, zoomable galaxy map charting 3 billion stars
January 23, 2023Astronomers have released one of the biggest data dumps of the Milky Way ever, cataloging an incredible 3.32 billion cosmic objects in detail. The end result is a gigantic image that can be zoomed in and out for a stunning sense of scale.
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Materials
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"Robot" made of shape-shifting matter liquefies to escape jail
January 30, 2023Researchers have created a new class of robots that can shift between solid and liquid forms on demand. In a series of tests, these new bots could change shape to run obstacle courses, carry objects, or even escape from a jail cell like a Terminator. -
Ultra-thin coating makes for self-cleaning solar panels
January 29, 2023Solar panels can’t operate efficiently if they’re caked in dirt, but cleaning them regularly can be a time-consuming process. Engineers in Germany have now developed an ultra-thin coating that can make solar panels and other surfaces self-cleaning. -
Rust-removing sound waves could breathe new life into MXene batteries
January 25, 2023For some time now, a nanomaterial known as MXene has been touted as a faster-charging alternative to the lithium used in batteries. It could soon be an even more viable choice, as scientists have devised a method of making it last much longer.
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Biology
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CRISPR study questions everything we know about "love hormone" oxytocin
February 02, 2023Using gene editing, researchers have engineered prairie voles with no oxytocin receptors. These monogamous mammals were thought to rely on oxytocin to form social bonds but new results suggest this "love hormone" may be less important than suspected. -
Lab-grown ancient nose receptors reveal how our ancestors smelled
January 31, 2023Our ancestors probably didn’t smell good, but did they smell well? A new study has grown odor receptors from Neanderthals and Denisovans, and tested their sensitivities to different smells compared to modern humans. -
Dodo next in line for de-extinction by scientists reviving the mammoth
January 31, 2023Not content with the woolly mammoth and the thylacine, Colossal Biosciences has now announced the third animal on its de-extinction list – the dodo. The company has received new funding, and provided an update on its scientific progress so far.
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Environment
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Genetically altered worms glow in the presence of indoor air pollution
February 02, 2023Although the air in our homes or workplaces may seem OK, it might contain harmful compounds emitted by materials like particleboard and carpeting. New research suggests that we may soon be able to tell if that is the case, using tiny glowing worms. -
Profitable retrofit system could slash steelmaking emissions by 94%
January 29, 2023A rare decarbonization idea that looks as good for business as it does for the planet. This system promises to radically reduce carbon dioxide emissions for 70% of steelmakers, while generating profits and making use of existing blast furnaces. -
Cladding could regulate building temps by solidifying and liquefying
January 27, 2023Seeking a passive way to keep buildings cool in hot weather and warmer in the colder months, researchers have developed a new electrochromic shape-shifting material. It switches from solid to liquid and from clear to opaque at set temperatures.
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Physics
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Physicists discover completely new type of quantum entanglement
January 05, 2023Physicists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a completely new type of quantum entanglement, the spooky phenomenon that binds particles across any distance. This allowed scientists to peer inside nuclei in more detail than ever before. -
Atomic clocks orbiting near the Sun could detect dark matter
December 05, 2022Dark matter remains elusive despite decades of searching. Now physicists have proposed a new experiment that would try to find signals by sending atomic clocks to where dark matter should be at its most dense – right near the Sun. -
Traversable wormhole recreated in a quantum computer for first time
November 30, 2022Wormholes are a sci-fi staple, and and it's possible that they exist in the real universe. But how would they work? Physicists have now used a quantum processor to simulate a traversable wormhole, teleporting information between two quantum systems.
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Electronics
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Tongue-zapping spoon claimed to boost the flavor of foods
January 12, 2023Some people feel that their food isn't quite tasty enough unless it had added salt, sugar or MSG. The SpoonTEK spoon offers a healthier alternative, as it reportedly boosts the perceived flavor of foods by harmlessly zapping its user's tastebuds. -
Samsung's new Odyssey Neo G9 packs two 4K displays into one monitor
January 02, 2023With a new year comes a new CES, and a new crop of gadgets. Samsung has now revealed its latest lineup of monitors, headlined by the new Odyssey Neo G9, which packs two 4K displays side-by-side in one ultra-wide, curved monitor. -
Water-based circuit concept switches much faster than semiconductors
December 14, 2022Water is usually something you’d want to keep away from electronic circuits, but engineers in Germany have now developed a new concept for water-based switches that are much faster than current semiconductor materials.
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Quantum Computing
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Silicon quantum computing surpasses 99% accuracy in three studies
January 19, 2022Three teams of scientists have achieved a major milestone in quantum computing. All three groups demonstrated better than 99 percent accuracy in silicon-based quantum devices, paving the way for practical, scalable, error-free quantum computers. -
IBM unleashes the Eagle, the world's most powerful quantum processor
November 16, 2021IBM has unveiled the Eagle, the world’s most powerful quantum processor. Boasting 127 quantum bits (qubits), the Eagle is a major step towards commercial quantum computers outperforming traditional machines. -
Quantum computing hits the desktop, no cryo-cooling required
September 27, 2021An Australian/German company is developing powerful quantum accelerators the size of graphics cards. They work at room temperature, undercutting and outperforming today's huge, cryo-cooled quantum supercomputers, promising industry-wide disruption.
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