Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive August 2024 - Page 14


Page 14 of 38

Quenching the intense heat of a fusion plasma may require a well-placed liquid metal evaporator

Scientists at PPPL envision a hot region with flowing liquid metal that protects the inside of the tokamak from intense heat. The new simulations reflect additional information, including collisions between neutral particles, and determine the best location for the lithium vapor cave is near the bottom of the tokamak by the center stack.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateAug 21, 2024

Study assesses seizure risk from stimulating thalamus

A new study by researchers at MIT and MGH found that even low stimulation currents could sometimes still cause electrographic seizures in awake mice, with a rate of 2.2 percent of tests experiencing seizures. The study cautions against the use of brain stimulation-based therapies without proper monitoring.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalBrain Stimulation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

HKUST engineering researchers develop eco-friendly cooling device with record-breaking efficiency

Researchers at HKUST have developed an eco-friendly refrigeration device with a boost in efficiency of over 48%, using elastocaloric cooling technology that is greenhouse gas-free and 100% recyclable. The new device achieved a temperature lift of 75K, surpassing the previous world record.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Genomic treasure trove: Vernicia montana's DNA unearths new breeding horizons

A pioneering study decodes the chromosome-level genome of Vernicia montana, providing insights into its evolution and setting the stage for advanced molecular breeding and sex identification methods. The research identifies a reliable molecular marker for sex determination, streamlining the selection process for high-yielding female tr...

What really drives consumers to sign up for community-supported agriculture

Researchers identify two key factors driving consumer participation in community-supported agriculture: the socio-cultural environment and weighing of expected gains against losses. These factors shape individuals' knowledge, attitudes, and decisions, highlighting the importance of considering lifestyles and values when promoting CSA.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAgricultural and Food Economics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Killing giant ragweed just got harder for some Wisconsin farmers

Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals that some giant ragweed populations in Wisconsin have evolved resistance to critical post-emergence herbicides. This development limits chemical options for non-GMO soybean growers, potentially forcing them to switch to GMO soybean...

More academic freedom leads to more innovation

A recent study by an international team has established a link between academic freedom and innovative output for the first time. The researchers found that countries with higher levels of academic freedom tend to have more patent applications and citations, indicating a positive correlation between academic freedom and innovation. Con...

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

An active multi-beam antenna design method and its application for the future 6G satellite network

Researchers develop a new active multi-beam antenna design method that optimizes gain, sidelobe level, and beam direction using AI-powered surrogate models. The method solves complex nonlinear optimization problems, allowing for the creation of high-performance antennas with reduced complexity.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateAug 21, 2024

Developing innovative new display technologies! Create ultrahigh-definition screens efficiently!

A team of researchers has developed a double-layer dry transfer printing technology to create ultrahigh-definition light-emitting devices with high efficiency. This innovation enables better augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences, reducing dizziness caused by small screens conveying large amounts of information.

Near-term NASA Mars and lunar in situ propellant production: complexity versus simplicity

Lunar ISPP focuses on carbothermal process to produce oxygen from regolith, while NASA near-term plans rely on H2 and O2 propellants. For Mars, electrolysis of CO2 is considered simplest method, with water-based approach preferred for practicality. Power requirements for both lunar and Martian ISPPs pose significant challenges, with so...

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateAug 21, 2024

Freeze-frame: U of A researchers develop world's fastest microscope that can see electrons in motion

Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a transmission electron microscope with attosecond temporal resolution, allowing scientists to observe electron motion in real-time. This breakthrough enables studies of ultrafast processes at the atomic level, paving the way for advancements in physics and chemistry.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

UCLA-led study unveils new insights and potential treatments for pulmonary hypertension

A UCLA-led study has identified a protective role for the asporin protein in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), suggesting potential new ways to treat this incurable disease. Asporin was found to inhibit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and a key signaling pathway that occurs with PAH.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCirculation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) improves gait ability in SBMA patients and maintains quality of life over an extended period

The Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) system improved gait distance by 30% and maintained quality of life in patients with Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA). The study suggests that continuous HAL therapy can preserve physical function and quality of life over an extended period.

SourceToho University·JournalJournal of Clinical Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 21, 2024

Brain enlargement is linked to severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, study shows

A study of over 900 children with autism spectrum disorder found that brain overgrowth is associated with increased social and communication symptoms. The research used MRI brain images and mini-brain experiments to show that enlarged brains are linked to altered Ndel1 enzyme activity, potentially affecting brain development.

Unlocking the last lanthanide

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study promethium, a rare and radioactive element. The team successfully observed promethium form chemical bonds with neighboring oxygen atoms in an aqueous solution, providing new insights into its complex chemistry.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Contactless integrated photonic probes: A non-invasive on-chip optical monitor

CLIPP monitors optical power by detecting conductance variation caused by surface state absorption, enabling non-invasive on-chip monitoring of large-scale photonic integrated circuits. The technology has been applied to identification and feedback control of optical signals, offering improved stability and performance.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2024

Beetle that pushes dung with the help of 100 billion stars unlocks the key to better navigation systems in drones and satellites

Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed an AI sensor that can accurately measure the orientation of the Milky Way in low light, using a technique inspired by the dung beetle. This system could improve navigation for drones and satellites in difficult lighting conditions.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalBiomimetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

Using AI to link heat waves to global warming

A new AI approach accurately links heat waves to global warming, estimating that record-setting heat waves could occur multiple times per decade under higher warming levels. The method uses actual historical weather data and machine learning to predict the magnitude of extreme events.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 21, 2024