Solar Orbiter tracked a 'switchback' in the solar wind's magnetic field to its origin at the Sun's surface, revealing more about solar magnetism and its role in solar storms. The discovery confirmed the switchback's S-shaped configuration and pinpointed its formation process, reconciling two competing theories.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego developed a new method to grow perovskite crystals with fewer defects, leading to higher efficiency and durability in solar cells and LEDs. The temporary melting liquid, called a eutectic, helps to neutralize electronic defects and produce larger, more uniform crystals.
ICFO researchers have increased the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells by restricting light emission angles, narrowing Boltzmann losses. This innovation enables solar cells to approach efficiencies near 43%, overcoming the Shockley-Queisser limit.
A new study by the European Respiratory Society found that regular walking reduces COPD symptom flare-ups regardless of air pollution levels. Walking 1000 steps per day reduced the likelihood of flare-ups by around 5%, and faster walking speeds increased the benefits.
A study found that household exposure to e-cigarettes increases the risk of asthma flare-ups in children, with no safe level of tobacco or e-cigarette exposure for kids. Researchers also found that children exposed to both combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes had the strongest links to poor asthma control.
Scientists at the University of Groningen discovered a way to harvest extra energy from 'hot electrons' in solar cells, slowing down energy loss to nanoseconds. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells, exceeding the theoretical 33% limit.
Researchers have successfully deployed underwater solar cells to generate 324 mWh of energy at 10 meters below sea level. The cells retained 96% of their initial efficiency after 300 days and showed exceptional long-term operational stability.
A Phase 3 clinical trial showed tozorakimab reduced moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbations by 29-34% compared to placebo, impacting a broad COPD population. The therapy's safety profile was generally comparable to placebo, with injection-site reactions being more frequent.
A new study found that weight loss injection semaglutide may reduce asthma attacks by up to 40% in people with airways diseases like asthma and COPD. Semaglutide also led to a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have designed a new tin-based perovskite with built-in protection against air and moisture, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing tin-based perovskite solar cells. The new material achieved 16.2% efficiency and remained stable during extended testing.
Chen Shi has received the 2026 Kamide Lecture Award from the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society for his research on plasma turbulence and its role in generating supersonic solar wind. This recognition acknowledges his contributions to understanding space weather, which can impact satellites, communications, and other technologies.
A Southwest Research Institute study of Solar Orbiter data provides the most detailed view of the heliospheric current sheet, revealing a clear change in ion composition tied to magnetic polarity flips. The findings offer new insights into the origin and composition of the solar wind.
Researchers have identified a hidden defect in the gut that can damage intestinal cells, even in patients with well-controlled disease. The study found that this defect can be present in patients with clinically mild disease and can lead to future flares.
A study of 2,344 Chinese counties found that stronger solar expansion policies are associated with significant declines in bird diversity, largely due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The expansion of renewable energy can help combat climate change, but it may also create environmental trade-offs that must be carefully considered.
Researchers used the NSF Inouye Solar Telescope to capture high-resolution images of swirling vortices in the sun's photosphere, which are believed to be the 'engine' driving twisting magnetic field lines. This discovery could fundamentally change our understanding of solar dynamics and evolution.
A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found a strong association between air pollution, particularly PM2.5, and increased disease activity and flare risk in RA patients. The study suggests that avoiding prolonged exposure to poor air quality may help reduce disease activity.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in solar physics by visualizing tiny plasma vortices on the Sun's surface. These vortices are changing our understanding of the Sun and its magnetic field, providing new perspectives on energy storage and release.
High-resolution Solar Orbiter data detected abundant high-frequency magnetohydrodynamic waves in coronal plumes, with energy contributions similar to those of transverse Alfvénic waves. The findings provide crucial evidence for the role of these waves in coronal heating and solar wind acceleration.
Researchers developed an app to monitor daily voice changes, which can detect early signs of exacerbations in asthma and COPD. By analyzing tone, pitch, pauses, and voice quality, the TACTICAS study found that voice deteriorates as symptoms worsen, allowing for potential treatment.
Researchers discovered that the solar wind slows down by 13-15% as it approaches the outer boundary of the heliosphere, aligning with previous models. This slowdown is crucial for understanding the impact of interstellar material on long-term space travel.
A breakthrough study reveals that powerful solar storms can lead to sharp changes in North American weather patterns, including declines in precipitation. The more intense the storm, the more dramatic the shift in weather.
Scientists predict that New Horizons will encounter the termination shock as early as 2029 or as late as 2040, helping improve understanding of heliosphere interactions with interstellar space. The research aims to prepare for future missions exploring solar system boundaries.
A recent international MRI study found evidence of ongoing neurodegeneration in NMOSD patients, even when they are clinically stable and not experiencing flare-ups. The research suggests that subtle cognitive decline may occur even in the absence of relapses, with brain atrophy rates being faster in NMOSD patients compared to healthy v...
A study found that patients continuing ULT remained flare-free for longer over 24 months, with a cumulative flare incidence of 12.3% compared to 31.8% in the ULT discontinuation attempt group. Effective weight management and exercise are key to managing gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers use helioseismology to track sound waves inside the Sun, finding a gradual change in structure just beneath the surface that spans multiple cycles. This discovery reveals a shift towards more tightly confined magnetic activity near the surface, with implications for space weather predictions.
A study published in Neurology found that pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of serious flare-ups or new symptoms of myasthenia gravis. In fact, nearly 90% of women experienced no hospital admissions related to the disease after giving birth.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University used NICER and Hisaki to study a superflare on the star UX Arietis, finding that photoionization is the dominant mechanism behind the iron Kα line. This discovery provides a diagnostic tool for astronomers to infer flare locations on stellar surfaces.
Researchers developed a feature selection-based solar irradiance forecasting method to improve stand-alone photovoltaic system operation. The approach forecasts solar irradiance using a bidirectional long short-term memory hybrid network, then estimates the optimum tilt angle to increase PV output power.
A study suggests that integrating wind and solar power into Ecuador's energy mix can prevent energy crises caused by droughts. The researchers found that large-scale wind and solar farms could increase the availability of hydropower, reducing the need for fossil fuels during dry periods.
The University of Michigan's new solar particle forecasting technology has been integrated into NASA's Artemis II mission to provide situational awareness of impending harmful radiation released during solar flares and eruptions. The machine-learning model uses satellite images of the sun and corona to forecast solar particle storms up...
TUM researchers have identified the microscopic causes of instability in perovskite solar cells and developed a strategy to prevent degradation through temperature swings. They discovered that a 'burn-in' phase triggers early loss of relative performance, but using special organic molecules as spacers can stabilize the material.
A team from the University of Córdoba developed an AI-based model that forecasts annual solar energy availability in Andalusia until 2100 using temperature data. The study found a significant positive trend in solar radiation and available energy, with peak hours increasing across all climate change scenarios.
Researchers used nonlinear dynamics to explore why eczema flare-ups happen and how to improve treatment outcomes. They found that small physiological changes can significantly increase the maintenance burden in long-term efforts to keep eczema in remission.
Researchers have identified a novel transcriptional module that governs purple background coloration in flare tree peony. The MYB transcription factor PrMYB75a and its upstream regulator PrFRS2 work together to control anthocyanin accumulation, leading to uniform petal background color.
A two-year study found that small household solar power systems have limited capacity, typically only 6 watts, which does not deliver meaningful energy services. Households with access to higher-capacity systems (50+ watts) reap the most direct benefits and are more likely to adopt additional solar components.
A new tool developed by Southwest Research Institute and National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research provides a first step toward forecasting space weather weeks in advance. The PINNBARDS framework connects surface observations of solar active regions to deep solar magnetic dynamics, offering potential for su...
A team of scientists used Solar Orbiter's instruments to capture a large solar flare in unprecedented detail. The observations revealed that the flare was triggered by initially weak disturbances that quickly became more violent, creating a 'sky' of raining plasma blobs.
Researchers at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research have pinpointed a previously unknown class of high-energy particles in the Sun's upper atmosphere responsible for generating intense gamma-ray signals during major solar flare events. These particles, energized to millions of electron volts, are linked to bremsstrahlung emissi...
A SwRI-led study finds that quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in solar flares are driven by dynamic oscillations in magnetic reconnection. This research could help refine traditional solar flare models, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving space weather.
A modeling study reveals that increasing numbers of households with rooftop solar panels can lead to higher rates for those without their own solar system. As the cost of solar systems falls, more customers defect from the grid, leading to increased rates and a 'utility death spiral' that disproportionately affects low-income households.
Researchers identified two distinct defect types in silicon heterojunction solar cells, a slow component and a fast component, to improve passivation technologies and enhance device performance.
Scientists at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research tracked the impact of recent X-class solar flares on Earth's upper atmosphere. The flares triggered radio blackouts across Africa and Europe, producing auroras that reached unusually low latitudes, including as far south as Florida.
A team from China uses the Chashan Broadband Solar Radio Spectrometer to record periodic beaded stripes during a large solar flare, revealing fast and small-scale processes in the Sun's atmosphere. The discovery sheds new light on the physical origins of fine spectral structures.
A novel AI optimization model called GAN-Solar has been developed to address the technical bottleneck of accurate short-term solar forecasting. The model achieves significant improvements on key metrics compared to existing advanced models, producing high-definition forecasts that capture crucial details.
A new study suggests that well-managed solar farms with wildflower margins could double bumblebee numbers within themselves. However, their benefits are largely constrained to the local site and have a limited impact on wider landscapes.
Researchers have identified key barriers to safely extending the life of solar panels and decreasing waste. One major challenge is the low cost of new panels undercutting the resale market for used systems.
A new study by the University of Surrey finds that solar energy has become the world's cheapest source of power, with costs ranging from £0.02 per unit in sunny countries. The research highlights the increasing adoption of hybrid systems combining solar panels with batteries to create a more reliable and dispatchable source of power.
Understanding Sun's polar magnetic fields and dynamic processes is essential for answering pressing questions in solar physics. The SPO mission aims to overcome past limitations by providing a true polar view.
Scientists have made significant progress in developing iron-based solar fuel systems, which could pave the way for cheaper and more sustainable fuels. The study reveals new mechanisms that enable efficient charge transfer between light-absorbing molecules and acceptor molecules, reducing energy losses and increasing efficiency.
Researchers achieved excellent passivation of perovskite top cells on textured silicon surfaces, leading to improved efficiency and conductivity. The breakthrough enhances understanding of processes occurring in top cells and paves the way for further innovation in tandem solar cell development.
Scientists at the University of St Andrews propose that solar flare ions reach over 60 million degrees, contradicting the long-held assumption of equal ion and electron temperatures. This discovery could provide an unexpected solution to a decades-long astrophysics mystery about the enigmatic line widths of solar flare spectra.
The European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter mission has split energetic particles into two groups, tracing them back to distinct solar outbursts. Researchers found that one type of particle is connected to intense solar flares and the other to larger coronal mass ejections.
Researchers are testing how crops grow between rows of solar panels on a farm in New York state. The team is growing various crops, including strawberries, raspberries, and soybeans, with promising early results.
Astronomers captured dark coronal loop strands with unprecedented clarity during an X1.3-class flare, measuring 48.2 km in width, the smallest ever imaged. The team's high-resolution images offer a potential breakthrough in resolving the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops and improving space weather forecasting.
A study published in the journal Joule estimates that space-based solar power could reduce Earth-based renewable energy costs by 7-15% and offset up to 80% of wind and solar power by 2050. The heliostat design, with higher potential for continuous solar energy capture, would outperform wind and solar power.
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy confirmed decades-old theoretical models of magnetic reconnection in the solar corona, using data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe. The research provides new insights into the process that drives solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can impact technology on Earth.
Scientists at the University of Sharjah have developed a cooling system that utilizes waste air from central air conditioning systems to cool the rear surfaces of solar panels. The system is designed to reduce energy losses caused by high operating temperatures and can recover up to 10% more solar power production.
Nanoparticles containing calcitriol and a protein fragment from aggrecan have been shown to regulate dendritic cell activity, reducing inflammation and swelling in RA. The treatment also delays disease onset and reduces joint damage when combined with other medications.
A recent study reveals three distinct inflammatory drivers of asthma exacerbations in children, including epithelial pathways, macrophage-driven inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion. These findings suggest that targeted therapies may not be enough to prevent flare-ups, emphasizing the need for more personalized treatment approaches.
A research team at HKUST introduces comprehensive bio-inspired multiscale design strategies to address key challenges in commercializing perovskite solar cells. The approaches focus on leveraging insights from natural systems to create solar cells that can withstand environmental stressors and prolonged use.