ScienceDaily: Technology - May 12, 2025
Top technology research news
Ping pong bot returns shots with high-speed precision
Engineers developed a ping-pong-playing robot that quickly estimates the speed and trajectory of an incoming ball and precisely hits it to a desired location on the table.
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Ultrasound unlocks a safer, greener way to make hydrogels
Researchers have developed a new way to create hydrogels using ultrasound, eliminating the need for toxic chemical initiators. This breakthrough offers a faster, cleaner and more sustainable approach to hydrogel fabrication, and produces hydrogels that are stronger, more flexible and highly resistant to freezing and dehydration. The new method also promises to facilitate advances in tissue engineering, bioadhesives and 3D bioprinting.
Computing: Shedding light on shadow branches
Researchers have developed a new technique called 'Skia' to help computer processors better predict future instructions and improve computing performance.
A small bicycle handlebar sensor can help map a region's riskiest bike routes
Researchers have developed a system, called ProxiCycle, that logs when a passing car comes too close to a cyclist (four feet or less). A small, inexpensive sensor plugs into bicycle handlebars and tracks the passes, sending them to the rider's phone. The team tested the system for two months with 15 cyclists in Seattle and found a significant correlation between the locations of close passes and other indicators of poor safety, such as collisions.
Urine, not water for efficient production of green hydrogen
Researchers have developed two unique energy-efficient and cost-effective systems that use urea found in urine and wastewater to generate hydrogen. The unique systems reveal new pathways to economically generate 'green' hydrogen, a sustainable and renewable energy source, and the potential to remediate nitrogenous waste in aquatic environments.
World record for lithium-ion conductors
A team partially replaced lithium in a lithium antimonide compound with the metal scandium. This creates specific gaps, so-called vacancies, in the crystal lattice of the conductor material. These gaps help the lithium ions to move more easily and faster, resulting in a new world record for ion conductivity.
Researchers have developed an innovative photodetector capable of detecting a broad range of mid-infrared spectra.
Satellite measures CO2 and NO2 simultaneously from power plant emissions for the first time
A research team used the German environmental satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) to simultaneously detect the two key air pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in emission plumes from power plants -- with an unprecedented spatial resolution of just 30 meters. The newly developed method allows for tracking of industrial emissions from space with great precision and enables atmospheric processes to be analyzed in detail.
Amuse, a songwriting AI-collaborator to help create music
Researchers have developed AI technology similar to a fellow songwriter who helps create music.
Bringing superconducting nanostructures to 3D
An international team has pioneered a nano-3D printing method to create superconducting nanostructures, leading to groundbreaking technological advancements.
Machine learning powers new approach to detecting soil contaminants
A team of researchers has developed a new strategy for identifying hazardous pollutants in soil -- even ones that have never been isolated or studied in a lab.
Green fabrication of hybrid materials as highly sensitive X-ray detectors
New bismuth-based organic-inorganic hybrid materials show exceptional sensitivity and long-term stability as X-ray detectors, significantly more sensitive than commercial X-ray detectors. In addition, these materials can be produced without solvents by ball milling, a mechanochemical synthesis process that is environmentally friendly and scalable. More sensitive detectors would allow for a reduction in the radiation exposure during X-ray examinations.
Stability solution brings unique form of carbon closer to practical application
Carbyne, a one-dimensional chain of carbon atoms, is incredibly strong for being so thin, making it an intriguing possibility for use in next-generation electronics, but its extreme instability made it nearly impossible to produce at all, let alone produce enough of it for advanced studies. Now, an international team of researchers may have a solution.
AI tool uses face photos to estimate biological age and predict cancer outcomes
Researchers developed FaceAge, an AI tool that calculate's a patient biological age from a photo of their face. In a new study, the researchers tied FaceAge results to health outcomes in people with cancer: When FaceAge estimated a younger age than a cancer patient's chronological age, the patient did significantly better after cancer treatment, whereas patients with older FaceAge estimates had worse survival outcomes.
3D printing in vivo using sound
New technique for cell or drug delivery, localization of bioelectric materials, and wound healing uses ultrasound to activate printing within the body.
Removing selenium from water takes iron strength
Environmental engineers have developed critical methods to remove toxic selenium from water.
The Squid Galaxy's neutrino game just leveled up
In space, energetic neutrinos are usually paired with energetic gamma rays. Galaxy NGC 1068, however, emits strong neutrinos and weak gamma rays, which presents a puzzle for scientists to solve. A new paper posits that helium nuclei collide with ultraviolet photons emitted by the galaxy's central region and fragment, releasing neutrons that subsequently decay into neutrinos without producing gamma rays. The finding offers insight into the extreme environment around the supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies like NGC 1068 and our own and enhances our understanding of the relationships between radiation and elementary particles that could lead to technological advances we haven't yet imagined.
Mercury levels in the atmosphere have decreased throughout the 21st century
Mercury is released by environmental and human-driven processes. And some forms, specifically methylmercury, are toxic to humans. Therefore, policies and regulations to limit mercury emissions have been implemented across the globe. And, according to new research, those efforts may be working. Researchers found that atmospheric mercury levels have decreased by almost 70% in the last 20 years, mainly because human-caused emissions have been reduced.
A new study analyzes the results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that showed that brick kiln owners in Bangladesh are willing and able to implement cleaner and more efficient business practices within their operations -- without legal enforcement -- if they receive the proper training and support, and if those changes are aligned with their profit motives. The study is the first to rigorously demonstrate successful strategies to improve efficiency within the traditional brick kiln industry.
Bacteria: Recording gene activity more efficiently
Analysing the gene activity of every single bacterial cell in a colony? A new technique of single-cell transcriptomics developed in W rzburg can do this much more efficiently than other methods: It reliably detects 300 to 600 genes per bacterial cell with a high success rate of 95%, thereby surpassing the efficiency of established procedures.
New chip uses AI to shrink large language models' energy footprint by 50%
Researchers have developed a more efficient chip as an antidote to the vast amounts of electricity consumed by large-language-model artificial intelligence applications like Gemini and GPT-4.
MRI breakthrough could revolutionize diagnosis of common heart problem aortic stenosis
Researchers have developed cutting-edge MRI technology to diagnose a common heart problem more quickly and accurately than ever before. Aortic stenosis is a progressive and potentially fatal condition, affecting about five per cent of 65-year-olds in the US -- with increasing prevalence in advancing age. Symptoms include chest pains, a rapid fluttering heartbeat and feeling dizzy, short of breath and fatigued -- particularly with activity. The new study reveals how a four-dimensional flow (4D flow) MRI scan can diagnose aortic stenosis more reliably than current ultrasound techniques. The superior accuracy of the new test means doctors can better predict when patients will require surgery.
Harnessing protein power to deliver medicine
New research has revealed the potential of engineered proteins to more precisely deliver drugs within the body.
One glass, full color: Sub-millimeter waveguide shrinks AR glasses
Augmented-reality (AR) technology is rapidly finding its way into everyday life, from education and healthcare to gaming and entertainment. However, the core AR device remains bulky and heavy, making prolonged wear uncomfortable. A breakthrough now promises to change that. A research team has slashed both thickness and weight using a single-layer waveguide.
Waxing and waning prairie: New study unravels causes of ancient climate changes
A long period of drought in North America has been recognized by scientists for decades. A new study links the severe climate to a change in Earth's orbit.
How to reduce global CO2 emissions from industry
Global emissions of carbon dioxide from industry can be reduced by five per cent. But that requires companies and policy makers to take a holistic approach to energy efficiency and energy management and not solely focus on technological development.
Turning non-magnetic materials magnetic with atomically thin films
The rules about magnetic order may need to be rewritten. An international team of researchers found that it was possible to turn a non-magnetic material into a magnetic material by slicing it into thin films.
Robotic dog mimics mammals for superior mobility on land and in water
A team of researchers has unveiled a cutting-edge Amphibious Robotic Dog capable of roving across both land and water with remarkable efficiency.
Advancing electrocatalyst discovery through the lens of data science
Data science has revolutionized the hunt for high-performing catalysts, enabling scientists to quickly identify and test suitable materials.
Scottish shrimp study illuminates new potential for bait-less fishing
Fishing pots fitted with LED lights catch significantly more shrimp and fish, new research shows.
All of the biggest U.S. cities are sinking
A new study of the 28 most populous U.S. cities finds that all are sinking to one degree or another. The cities include not just those on the coasts, where relative sea level is a concern, but many in the interior. Furthermore, using newly granular data, the study finds that some cities are sinking at different rates in different spots, or sinking in some places and rising in others, potentially introducing stresses that could affect buildings and other infrastructure.
New microscope reveals heat flow in materials for green energy
Scientists have developed a new microscope that significantly improves the way heat flow in materials can be measured. This advancement could lead to better designs for electronic devices and energy systems.
Eco-friendly aquatic robot is made from fish food
An edible robot leverages a combination of biodegradable fuel and surface tension to zip around the water's surface, creating a safe -- and nutritious -- alternative to environmental monitoring devices made from artificial polymers and electronics.
Engineering an antibody against flu with sticky staying power
Scientists have engineered a monoclonal antibody that can protect mice from a lethal dose of influenza A, a new study shows. The new molecule combines the specificity of a mature flu fighter with the broad binding capacity of a more general immune system defender.
AI-designed DNA controls genes in healthy mammalian cells for first time
A recent study marks the first reported instance of generative AI designing synthetic molecules that can successfully control gene expression in healthy mammalian cells. As a proof-of-concept, the authors of the study asked the AI to design synthetic fragments which activate a gene coding for a fluorescent protein in some cells while leaving gene expression patterns unaltered. They created the fragments from scratch and dropped them into mouse blood cells, where the sequence fused with the genome at random locations. The experiments worked exactly as predicted and pave the way for new strategies to give instructions to a cell and guide how they develop and behave with unprecedented accuracy.
Smart home devices used to monitor domestic workers raise safety concerns
The growing use of smart home devices is undermining the privacy and safety of domestic workers. New research reveals how surveillance technologies reinforce a sense of constant monitoring and control by domestic workers' employers, increasing their vulnerability and impacting their mental wellbeing.
Social media platform tailoring could support more fulfilling use, study finds
Redesigning social media to suit different needs of users could make their time online more focused, according to new research.
New discovery shows how molecules can mute heat like music
Using a thermal sensor smaller than a grain of sand, engineers have measured the vibrations, or phonons, within individual molecules.
Feat of 'dung-gineering' turns cow manure into one of world's most used materials
A new technique to extract tiny cellulose strands from cow dung and turn them into manufacturing-grade cellulose, currently used to make everything from surgical masks to food packaging, has been developed.
A pipette that can activate individual neurons
Researchers have developed a new type of pipette that can deliver ions to individual neurons without affecting the sensitive extracellular milieu. Controlling the concentration of different ions can provide important insights into how individual brain cells are affected, and how cells work together. The pipette could also be used for treatments.
Transforming hospital sanitation: Autonomous robots for wiping and UV-C disinfection
A research team develops disinfection robot combining physical wiping and UV-C sterilization.
Groundbreaking device instantly detects dangerous street drugs, offering hope for harm reduction
Groundbreaking device instantly detects dangerous street drugs, offering hope for harm reduction A portable device that instantly detects illicit street drugs at very low concentrations, thereby highlighting the risks they pose. The device has the potential to address the growing global problem of people unknowingly taking drugs that have been mixed with undeclared substances, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and nitazenes.
Viruses under the super microscope: How influenza viruses communicate with cells
Influenza viruses are among the most likely triggers of future pandemics. A research team has developed a method that can be used to study the interaction of viruses with host cells in unprecedented detail. With the help of their new development, they have also analyzed how novel influenza viruses use alternative receptors to enter target cells.
New algorithms can help GPs predict which of their patients have undiagnosed cancer
Two new advanced predictive algorithms use information about a person's health conditions and simple blood tests to accurately predict a patient's chances of having a currently undiagnosed cancer, including hard to diagnose liver and oral cancers. The new models could revolutionize how cancer is detected in primary care, and make it easier for patients to get treatment at much earlier stages.
Is virtual-only couture the new clothing craze?
As fast fashion continues to fill wardrobes and landfills at a staggering pace, new research suggests that the future of fashion might lie not in fabric, but in pixels.
Specialized face mask can detect kidney disease with just your breath
Surgical face masks help prevent the spread of airborne pathogens and therefore were ubiquitous during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, a modified mask could also protect a wearer by detecting health conditions, including chronic kidney disease. Researchers incorporated a specialized breath sensor within the fabric of a face mask to detect metabolites associated with the disease. In initial tests, the sensor correctly identified people with the condition most of the time.
Stellar collapse and explosions distribute gold throughout the universe
Magnetar flares, colossal cosmic explosions, may be directly responsible for the creation and distribution of heavy elements across the universe, suggests a new study.
New roadmap advances catalytic solutions to destroy 'forever chemicals'
Researchers have outlined a bold new roadmap for harnessing heterogeneous catalysis to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called 'forever chemicals' that have contaminated water supplies worldwide.
NFL players more likely to injure knee after shorter rest period
National Football League (NFL) players may be more likely to sustain a specific type of knee injury if they have a shorter period of rest between games.
Physicists snap the first images of 'free-range' atoms
Physicists captured the first images of individual atoms freely interacting in space. The pictures reveal correlations among the 'free-range' particles that until now were predicted but never directly observed.
Smart spongy device captures water from thin air
Engineers have invented a sponge-like device that captures water from thin air and then releases it in a cup using the sun's energy, even in low humidity where other technologies such as fog harvesting and radiative cooling have struggled. The water-from-air device remained effective across a broad range of humidity levels (30 -- 90%) and temperatures (5 -- 55 degrees Celsius).
Smart lactation pads can monitor safety of breast milk in real time
Scientists have developed a lactation pad equipped with sensing technology that allows parents of newborns to monitor breast milk in real time. The device is capable of ensuring that breast milk contains safe levels of the painkiller acetaminophen, which is often prescribed after childbirth and can be transferred to breastfeeding infants.
Piecing together the brain puzzle
Our brain is a complex organ. Billions of nerve cells are wired in an intricate network, constantly processing signals, enabling us to recall memories or to move our bodies. Making sense of this complicated network requires a precise look into how these nerve cells are arranged and connected. A new method makes use of off-the-shelf light microscopes, hydrogel and deep learning.
AI model improves delirium prediction, leading to better health outcomes for hospitalized patients
An artificial intelligence (AI) model improved outcomes in hospitalized patients by quadrupling the rate of detection and treatment of delirium. The model identifies patients at high risk for delirium and alerts a specially-trained team to assess the patient and create a treatment plan, if needed.
New vacuum-assisted extrusion technique improves performance of polymer prints
Scientists have developed a vacuum-assisted extrusion method that reduces internal porosity -- by up to 75% -- in large-scale 3D-printed polymer parts. Large-scale additive manufacturing has been hindered by internal porosity that weaken printed components. Reducing porosity is key to improving overall performance. Researchers tackled this challenge with a novel approach: integrating a vacuum hopper during the extrusion process to remove trapped gases and minimize void formation in fiber-reinforced materials.
Cracking the code: Deciphering how concrete can heal itself
Lichen is an understated presence in our everyday world, often found clinging to trees and rocks. Its true beauty lies in its unique symbiotic system of fungi and algae, or cyanobacteria, that form a self-sustaining partnership, allowing it to thrive in even the harshest conditions. With that inspiration, researchers created a synthetic lichen system that collaborates like natural lichens. Their system uses cyanobacteria, which turns air and sunlight into food, and filamentous fungi, which produces minerals that seal the cracks. Working together, these microbes survive on nothing more than air, light and water. The autonomy of this system sets it apart from previous self-healing concrete endeavors.
Vapor-deposited perovskite semiconductors power next generation circuits
A research team has developed a groundbreaking technology poised to revolutionize next-generation displays and electronic devices.
AI has untapped potential to advance biodiversity conservation
A new study suggests the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to rapidly analyze vast amounts of biodiversity data could revolutionize conservation efforts by enabling scientists and policymakers to make better-informed decisions.
Study of velvet worm slime could revolutionize sustainable material design
A new discovery about the slime ejected by velvet worms could revolutionize sustainable material design. The findings outline how a naturally occurring protein structure, conserved across species from Australia, Singapore and Barbados over nearly 400 million years of evolution, enables the slime's transformation from liquid to fiber and back again. It's a discovery that could inspire next-generation recyclable bioplastics.