New Atlas

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Lightning's electromagnetic fields may have a weird "healing" effect on living cells

Michael Irving February 10, 2019

A new study from Tel Aviv University suggests that the electromagnetic fields given off by lightning activity around the world could protect living cells from certain kinds of damage, which may have had implications for the evolution of life on Earth.

A new study suggests low-level electromagnetic fields from lightning strikes may protect living cells

Environment

Seaweed-munching microbes produce sustainable bioplastic

Ben Coxworth December 27, 2018

Plastic waste is a major problem in the world's oceans, which is why some groups have developed bioplastics that break down in the sea. Even those aren't entirely eco-friendly, though, which is why Israeli scientists are working on one that's derived from marine microorganisms.

The microorganisms produced a bioplastic polymer called polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) after consuming sea lettuce, pictured here

Medical

Rudimentary artificial retina made with tattoo pigment

Ben Coxworth May 2, 2018

Located on the back of the eye, the retina is a layer of nerve cells that convert incoming light to electrical signals – allowing us to see. Now, scientists have developed a rudimentary artificial retina, that could conceivably one day restore sight to the blind.

The device incorporates a thin sheet of gold studded with an array of microscopic pixels

Science

Oldest human fossil found outside Africa rewrites migration timeline

Michael Irving January 28, 2018

The origin story for modern humans basically goes that Homo Sapiens first arose several hundred thousand years ago in Ethiopia, before migrating out of Africa about 100,000 years ago. Now, a jawbone discovered in a cave in Israel pushes back the date of our African exodus by at least 50,000 years.

A section of jawbone discovered in Israel appears to be the earliest modern human fossil ever ...

Science

Ancient pottery reveal weakening of Earth's magnetic field isn't cause for alarm

David Szondy February 15, 2017

By studying ancient pottery handles, researchers have determined that the Earth's magnetic field isn't in imminent danger of reversing and triggering a mass extinction event, but has fluctuated over the millennia with the field spiking in the 8th century BCE.

Analysis of ancient pottery has revealed fluctuations of the Earth's magnetic field throughout history

Wearables

Smartwatch-based signature verification is all in the wrist

Darren Quick January 31, 2017

With the humble handwritten signature still the most commonly used form of biometric used to verify someone's identity, researchers have developed software that leverages the motion detection capabilities of a smartwatch to verify a signature as it is written.

New software leverages the motion-detecting capabilities of a smartwatch to verify someone's signature as they write ...

Biology

Bat friend or bat foe? It's all in the call

Michael Franco December 28, 2016

It's well known that bats use sound to navigate their environment, but new research indicates that the noises the flying mammals make actual serve a host of other functions including marking each other as friend or foe and indicating what particular squabbles are about.

Energy

Genetic modification gives major boost to algal hydrogen production

Darren Quick October 9, 2016

Using genetic engineering, researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) have modified algae to boost its hydrogen production by 400 percent. This could lead to algae being used to mass-produce hydrogen on an industrial scale.

Using genetic modification, researchers have boosted the hydrogen output of algae

Biology

Brain-imaging technique helps people control emotions using amygdala feedback

Tyler MacDonald September 12, 2016

A new non-invasive brain imaging technique could benefit those with stress-related disorders by helping them regulate their amygdala activity and control their emotions.

Using neurofeedback signals that correspond to amygdala activity, the new device can be used to help ...

Electronics

Electronic "tattoo" muscles in on emotion mapping

Michael Irving July 11, 2016

A team at Tel Aviv University's (TAU's) Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology have developed an alternative to the invasive needle electrodes used in electromyotherapy, in the form of an electronic "tattoo" that unobtrusively monitors muscle activity.

TAU researchers have developed an electrode that applies to the skin like a temporary tattoo and ...