ScienceDaily: Technology - October 14, 2024
Top technology research news
Illuminating quantum magnets: Light unveils magnetic domains
Scientists have used light to visualize magnetic domains, and manipulated these regions using an electric field, in a quantum antiferromagnet. This method allows real-time observation of magnetic behaviors, paving the way for advancements in next-generation electronics and memory devices, as well as a deeper understanding of quantum materials.
Image: KRPD/Shutterstock.com
New 3D printing technique creates unique objects quickly and with less waste
A new technique enables makers to finely tune the color, shade, and texture of 3D-printed objects using only one material. The method is faster and uses less material than other approaches.
NASA's Hubble, New Horizons team up for a simultaneous look at Uranus
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and New Horizons spacecraft simultaneously set their sights on Uranus recently, allowing scientists to make a direct comparison of the planet from two very different viewpoints. The results inform future plans to study like types of planets around other stars.
How did the building blocks of life arrive on Earth?
Researchers have used the chemical fingerprints of zinc contained in meteorites to determine the origin of volatile elements on Earth. The results suggest that without 'unmelted' asteroids, there may not have been enough of these compounds on Earth for life to emerge.
New paradigm of drug discovery with world's first atomic editing?
Researchers have successfully develop single-atom editing technology that maximizes drug efficacy.
'Inside-out' galaxy growth observed in the early universe
Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the 'inside-out' growth of a galaxy in the early universe, only 700 million years after the Big Bang.
A new method makes high-resolution imaging more accessible
Researchers devised a way to expand tissue 20-fold in a single step. Their simple, inexpensive method could pave the way for nearly any biology lab to perform nanoscale imaging.
A methodology to read QR codes on uneven surfaces
Sometimes, we try to capture a QR code with a good digital camera on a smartphone, but the reading eventually fails. This usually happens when the QR code itself is of poor image quality, or if it has been printed on surfaces that are not flat -- deformed or with irregularities of unknown pattern -- such as the wrapping of a courier package or a tray of prepared food. Now, a team has designed a methodology that facilitates the recognition of QR codes in these physical environments where reading is more complicated.
Researchers find clues to the mysterious heating of the sun's atmosphere
Researchers have made a significant advancement in understanding the underlying heating mechanism of the sun's atmosphere, finding that reflected plasma waves could drive the heating of coronal holes.
Engineering perovskite materials at the atomic level paves way for new lasers, LEDs
Researchers have developed and demonstrated a technique that allows them to engineer a class of materials called layered hybrid perovskites (LHPs) down to the atomic level, which dictates precisely how the materials convert electrical charge into light. The technique opens the door to engineering materials tailored for use in next-generation printed LEDs and lasers -- and holds promise for engineering other materials for use in photovoltaic devices.
Scientists cut harmful pollution from hydrogen engines
Scientists have discovered a low-cost method to significantly reduce this pollution from hydrogen internal combustion engines by improving the efficiency of their catalytic converters. The researchers found that infusing platinum in catalytic converters with a highly porous material called Y zeolites greatly enhances the reactions between nitrogen oxides and hydrogen, converting unhealthful nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor.
Researchers have observed electric charges traveling across the interface of two different semiconductor materials. Using scanning ultrafast electron (SUEM) techniques, the research team has directly visualized the fleeting phenomenon for the first time.
It could take over 40 years for PFAS to leave groundwater
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known commonly as PFAS, could take over 40 years to flush out of contaminated groundwater.
A look into 'mirror molecules' may lead to new medicines
Chemists have developed a new chemical reaction that will allow researchers to synthesize selectively the left-handed or right-handed versions of 'mirror molecules' found in nature and assess them for potential use against cancer, infection, depression, inflammation and a host of other conditions.
'Islands' of regularity discovered in the famously chaotic three-body problem
When three massive objects meet in space, they influence each other through gravity in ways that evolve unpredictably. In a word: Chaos. That is the conventional understanding. Now, a researcher has discovered that such encounters often avoid chaos and instead follow regular patterns, where one of the objects is quickly expelled from the system. This new insight may prove vital for our understanding of gravitational waves and many other aspects of the universe.
A new solution deposition process for semiconductors yields high-performing transistors by introducing more defects, counterintuitively. Researchers used these devices to construct high- speed logic circuits and an operational high-resolution inorganic LED display.
Lightning strikes kick off a game of electron pinball in space
When lightning cracks on Earth, especially high-energy electrons may fall out of Earth's inner radiation belt, according to a new study -- an electron 'rain' that could threaten satellites, and even humans, in orbit.
A holy grail found for catalytic alkane activation
An organic catalyst offers chemists precise control over a vital step in activating hydrocarbons.
A stiff material that stops vibrations and noise
Materials researchers have created a new composite material that combines two incompatible properties: stiff yet with a high damping capacity.
Simulation mimics how the brain grows neurons, paving the way for future disease treatments
A new computer simulation of how our brains develop and grow neurons has been built. Along with improving our understanding of how the brain works, researchers hope that the models will contribute to neurodegenerative disease research and, someday, stem cell research that helps regenerate brain tissue.
No bolts about it: New technology improves structural strength
Researchers have significantly improved a new joining technology, interlocking metasurfaces (ILMs), designed to increase the strength and stability of a structure in comparison to traditional techniques like bolts and adhesives, using shape memory alloys (SMAs). ILMs offer the potential to transform mechanical joint design in manufacturing for aerospace, robotics and biomedical devices.
The new fashion: Clothes that help combat rising temperatures
A team of international researchers has developed a natural fabric that urban residents could wear to counter rising temperatures in cities worldwide, caused by buildings, asphalt, and concrete.
Snowflake dance analysis could improve rain forecasts
Research observing the physical motion of falling ice crystals could help scientists better estimate where and when these crystals will melt into raindrops.
Inspired by Spider-Man, a lab recreates web-slinging technology
Researchers took the imaginary scenes from Spider-Man seriously and created the first web-slinging technology in which a fluid material can shoot from a needle, immediately solidify as a string, and adhere to and lift objects.
In double breakthrough, mathematician solves two long-standing problems
A professor who has devoted his career to resolving the mysteries of higher mathematics has solved two separate, fundamental problems that have perplexed mathematicians for decades.
Can advanced AI can solve visual puzzles and perform abstract reasoning?
Artificial Intelligence has learned to master language, generate art, and even beat grandmasters at chess. But can it crack the code of abstract reasoning --t hose tricky visual puzzles that leave humans scratching their heads? Researchers are putting AI's cognitive abilities to the test, pushing the multi-modal large language models (MLLMs) to solve visual problems once reserved for human IQ tests. The result? A glimpse into how far AI has come -- and where it still stumbles.
NASA's Hubble watches Jupiter's Great Red Spot behave like a stress ball
Astronomers have observed Jupiter's legendary Great Red Spot (GRS), an anticyclone large enough to swallow Earth, for at least 150 years. But there are always new surprises -- especially when NASA's Hubble Space Telescope takes a close-up look at it. Hubble's new observations of the famous red storm, collected 90 days between December 2023 to March 2024, reveal that the GRS is not as stable as it might look. The recent data show the GRS jiggling like a bowl of gelatin. The combined Hubble images allowed astronomers to assemble a time-lapse movie of the squiggly behavior of the GRS.
Octopus-inspired technology successfully maneuvers underwater objects
Scientists are using mechanisms inspired by nature to create new technological innovations. A team has now created an octopus-inspired adhesive, inspired by the shape of octopus suckers, that can quickly grab and controllably release challenging underwater objects. Having the ability to grab and release these underwater objects like heavy rocks, small shells, and soft beads, and other debris could be a powerful tool for underwater salvage and even rescue operations.
Molecule 'handedness' determines the strength of a coupling between nuclear spins
Chirality -- a geometric property that allows molecules to exist in two distinct forms that are chemically identical but are 3D mirror images of each other, like a right and left hand -- has a powerful effect on nuclear spin state but was thought to have no effect on coupling between spins. A study found chirality, or handedness, does in fact determine the strength of a coupling between nuclear spins. Findings could lead to better methods of probing electrons and spin in chemical and biological systems.
Researchers develop new technique to measure previously undetected airborne PFAS
For decades, scientists knew there was a huge swath of undetected and unaccounted for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the atmosphere, often referred to as PFAS dark matter, but no one knew how much was missing or how to measure them. Now, an atmospheric chemistry research team has devised a way to test for one of the most ubiquitous elements of these potent greenhouse gases.
New technique could unlock potential of quantum materials
A research team has devised a unique method to observe changes in materials at the atomic level. The technique opens new avenues for understanding and developing advanced materials for quantum computing and electronics.
New artificial intelligence models for plasma heating can do more than was previously thought possible, not only increasing the prediction speed 10 million times while preserving accuracy but also correctly predicting plasma heating in cases where the original numerical code failed.
Language model 'UroBot' surpasses the accuracy of experienced urologists
Scientists have developed and successfully tested a new chatbot based on artificial intelligence: 'UroBot' was able to answer questions from the urology specialist examination with a high degree of accuracy, surpassing both other language models and the accuracy of experienced urologists. The model justifies its answers in detail based on the guidelines.
Heavy metals in the ocean become more toxic
Toxic trace elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium naturally occur in small quantities in coastal seas. However, human activities, such as industry and agriculture, contribute significantly larger amounts. A new study has examined how climate change already affects the distribution and accumulation of these elements and how it could impact them in the future. One of the findings: Climate-related natural events are releasing more contaminants, which pose a risk to both human and animal health. However, there is still insufficient knowledge about how these contaminants will behave in the future.
Breakthrough in micelle technology for effective dye and drug dispersion
Micelles play a crucial role in dispersing hydrophobic inks and drug in water-based solutions. Recently, researchers compared the dye solubilization capacities of micelles made from block and random copolymers to identify the optimal structure for dye solubilization. Their results show that block copolymer micelles with well-defined core-shell structures have a slower solubilization rate but can hold significantly more dye compared to random copolymer micelles, which have a more diffuse structure.
Researchers succeed in creating two interconnected vascular networks
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking cell culture platform that enables the formation of two distinct but interconnected vascular networks. Their breakthrough holds tremendous promise for advancing biomedical research. Organ-on-chips are microfluidic cell cultures that replicate human physiology, significantly reducing the costs of drug development, minimizing the need for animal testing and enabling personalized treatment.
AI-trained CCTV in rivers can spot blockages and reduce floods
Smart CCTV systems trained to spot blockages in urban waterways could become an important future tool in flood prevention, new research has found.
Nature and plastics inspire breakthrough in soft sustainable materials
Using peptides and a snippet of the large molecules in plastics, materials scientists have developed materials made of tiny, flexible nano-sized ribbons that can be charged just like a battery to store energy or record digital information.
Ultra-sensitive robotic 'finger' can take patient pulses, check for lumps
Researchers have developed a soft robotic 'finger' with a sophisticated sense of touch that can perform routine doctor office examinations, including taking a patient's pulse and checking for abnormal lumps.
Over 160,000 new viruses discovered by AI
161,979 new RNA viruses have been discovered using a machine learning tool that researchers believe will vastly improve the mapping of life on Earth and could aid in the identification of many millions more viruses yet to be characterized.
A matter of taste: Electronic tongue reveals AI 'inner thoughts'
Researchers recently developed electronic tongue capable of identifying differences in similar liquids, such as milk with varying water content; diverse products, including soda types and coffee blends; signs of spoilage in fruit juices; and instances of food safety concerns. They found that results were even more accurate when artificial intelligence used its own assessment parameters to interpret the data generated by the electronic tongue.
A new article shares findings from an extensive literature analysis of AI's current trajectory in health care.
Atomic-level mechanism in polycrystalline materials
Researchers show that for the first time they have achieved atomic-scale observations of grain rotation in polycrystalline materials. Using state-of-the-art microscopy tools, the scientists were able to heat samples of platinum nanocrystalline thin films and observe the mechanism driving grain rotation in unprecedented detail.
Team engineers new enzyme to produce synthetic genetic material
A research team describes how they engineered an efficient new enzyme that can produce a synthetic genetic material called threose nucleic acid. The ability to synthesize artificial chains of TNA, which is inherently more stable than DNA, advances the discovery of potentially more powerful, precise therapeutic options to treat cancer and autoimmune, metabolic and infectious diseases.
New breakthrough helps free up space for robots to 'think', say scientists
Engineers have worked out how to give robots complex instructions without electricity, which could free up more space in the robotic 'brain' for them to 'think'. Mimicking how some parts of the human body work, researchers have transmitted a series of commands to devices with a new kind of compact circuit, using variations in pressure from a fluid inside it.
Scientists discover novel series of SARS-CoV-2 mpro inhibitors for potential new COVID-19 treatments
New research has identified a novel series of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors that may lead to potential new COVID-19 treatments that, according to preclinical testing, effectively inhibits COVID-19 and synergizes with existing anti-COVID therapies.
Researchers have just described the existence of the paradoxical Mpemba effect within quantum systems. Initially investigating out of pure curiosity, the discovery has bridged the gap between Aristotle's observations two millennia ago and modern-day understanding, and opened the door to a whole host of 'cool' -- and 'cooling' -- implications.
New insights into ammonia decomposition
Using ammonia is regarded as a promising method of transporting hydrogen. However, an efficient process is also needed to convert it back into hydrogen and nitrogen.
Holographic 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries
Researchers have developed a novel method of 3D printing that uses acoustic holograms. The process is called holographic direct sound printing (HDSP). It builds on a method introduced in 2022 that described how sonochemical reactions in microscopic cavitations regions -- tiny bubbles -- create extremely high temperatures and pressure for trillionths of a second to harden resin into complex patterns. Now, by embedding the technique in acoustic holograms that contain cross-sectional images of a particular design, polymerization occurs much more quickly. It can create objects simultaneously rather than voxel-by-voxel.
Mental health app could help prevent depression in young people at high risk
A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) app has been found to significantly prevent increases in depression in young people who are at high risk -- and could be implemented as a cost effective public mental health measure.
Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries
Engineers built a solar-powered desalination system that produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day. Because it requires no extra batteries, it offers a much more affordable way to produce drinking water, compared to other solar-driven designs.
New apps will enable safer indoor navigation for visually impaired
Two new apps will enable blind people to navigate indoor buildings with spoken directions from a smartphone app, providing a safe method of wayfinding where GPS doesn't work.
Despite progress, China remains tethered to coal as climate change pressures mount
A new paper details how China faces numerous political, economic and technological obstacles as it tries to transition away from coal while balancing the need to combat climate change with the need for energy security.
AI speeds up the discovery of energy and quantum materials
Unearthing new LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors requires extensive knowledge surrounding the optical properties of materials. Calculating these takes time and resources. Yet researchers unveiled a new AI tool that can accurately, and crucially much faster than quantum simulations, for predicting optical properties.
New insights into how Mars became uninhabitable
NASA's Curiosity rover, currently exploring Gale crater on Mars, is providing new details about how the ancient Martian climate went from potentially suitable for life -- with evidence for widespread liquid water on the surface -- to a surface that is inhospitable to terrestrial life as we know it.
AI and quantum mechanics team up to accelerate drug discovery
SMU have created SmartCADD. This open-source virtual tool combines artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics and Computer Assisted Drug Design (CADD) techniques to speed up the screening of chemical compounds, significantly reducing drug discovery timelines.
Common consumer product chemicals now tied to cardiac electrical changes
Some environmental phenols are known to have cardiac toxicities. Now, a new study is revealing their adverse impact on the heart's electrical properties.
Winds of change: James Webb Space Telescope reveals elusive details in young star systems
Planet-forming disks, maelstroms of gas and dust swirling around young stars, are nurseries that give rise to planetary systems, including our solar system. Astronomers have discovered new details of gas flows that sculpt those disks and shape them over time.
Stopping off-the-wall behavior in fusion reactors
New experimental results suggest that sprinkling boron into a tokamak could shield the wall of the fusion vessel and prevent atoms from the wall from getting into the plasma. A new computer modeling framework shows the boron powder may only need to be sprinkled from one location.
Influence of a black hole's spin: First evidence of precession in ultraluminous accretion disks
Researchers conducted innovative simulations of spinning black holes grounded in general relativity, which clarified that the ultraluminous accretion disk (i.e., gaseous spiral surrounding a black hole) exhibits a precessional motion driven by the black hole's spin. This finding underscores the potential of this spin to be the primary driver of the periodic fluctuations in luminosity observed within these ultraluminous accretion disks.