Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Researchers lift the veil on stubborn probiotic

NC State researchers discovered a new way to make the difficult-to-characterize gut bacterium Bifidobacterium more responsive to antibiotics. They also found tiny changes in different strains that reflect large differences in their characteristics, highlighting the need for individualized CRISPR-based genome engineering approaches.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Gravity-defying spike waves rewrite the rule book

Scientists have found that axisymmetric 'spike waves' can exceed previously thought limits on ocean wave height, leading to significant implications for maritime safety. The new research revealed the fundamental mechanisms behind highly directional and crossing waves becoming much larger than others.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2022

Low-tech - just what the doctor ordered

A simplified surgical tool called RAIS has been developed to enable laparoscopic surgery in low-to-middle income countries. The device uses a mechanical retractor and does not require CO2 gas or a general anaesthetic, making it more accessible and affordable for rural surgeons.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2022

Theory proves local equilibrium at interfaces

A new theory developed by researchers at the University of Chicago proves the existence of local equilibrium at interfaces, which are regions where materials interact and connect. This finding has significant implications for understanding and engineering systems with multiple components.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2022

Grain boundaries go with the flow

A team of researchers from Rice University has modeled the dynamics of grain boundaries in polycrystalline materials using a rotating magnetic field technique. The study shows that grain boundaries can change readily in response to shear stress, and voids in these structures can act as sources and sinks for their movement.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2022

New study of train travel pre- and during Covid-19 suggests three ways to make commuting less stressful

A new study by Dr. Marin Marinov at Aston University proposes three solutions to make train commuting less stressful: purchasing tickets on smartphones, removing ticket gates and installing sensors, and implementing one-way flow systems in station concourses. These changes could reduce queuing times and promote social distancing.

SourceAston University·JournalUrban Rail Transit·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 13, 2022

Researchers find way to make traffic models more efficient

A new method reduces computational complexity of traffic models, making them operate more efficiently. The modified algorithm breaks down complex forecasting questions into smaller problems that can be solved in parallel, significantly reducing run time. This approach also allows for a good enough solution within an error bar, rather t...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2022

Solar beats nuclear at many potential settlement sites on Mars

A new study by UC Berkeley scientists finds that solar photovoltaics can provide sufficient power for extended Mars missions, outperforming nuclear fusion reactors in over 50% of the planet's surface. This breakthrough provides a more practical solution for long-term human settlements on Mars.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalFrontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 27, 2022

Scientists design learning-enabled safe control for systems in uncertain environments

Researchers at Michigan State University have designed a learning-enabled safe controller for systems operating in uncertain environments. The new method, which combines control barrier functions and Lyapunov functions, allows the system to quickly learn uncertainties while achieving maximum safe performance.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateApr 22, 2022

Models for molecules show unexpected physics

A study by Sibani Lisa Biswal and Kedar Joshi shows that magnetically driven colloidal suspensions exhibit behavior consistent with the principles of classical thermodynamics, including vapor pressure, viscosity, and surface tension. The researchers' findings have implications for designing materials with reconfigurable properties.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022

NYUAD study offers new insights about urban traffic management

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have published a comprehensive review of 50 fundamental traffic models using an extensive data set of 2.3 billion vehicle observations from 25 cities worldwide. The study found that a non-parametric model outperformed other traffic flow models, regardless of road type and congestion level.

SourceNew York University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems·DateFeb 3, 2022

The impacts of impacts

KAUST researchers have found that even low-speed solid-liquid impacts can cause cavitation and generate damaging shock waves. This challenges previous assumptions about the effects of such impacts. The team used high-speed cameras to study the impact of a flat-bottomed cylinder on a pool of liquid, observing that pressures below a cert...

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2022

Power at sea: towards high-performance seawater batteries

A team of scientists from Korea Maritime and Ocean University has developed a novel synthesis route to produce a high-performance co-doped anode material for rechargeable seawater batteries. This breakthrough enables the creation of efficient and sustainable maritime applications, including emergency power supply for coastal nuclear pl...

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalCarbon·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2022

Fine Sediment in Open Water

This book provides a fundamental understanding of the physical, biological, and chemical processes governing fine sediment transport in open water. It covers various spatial and temporal scales, from micro-scale to system-wide, and discusses interactions between disciplines such as hydrodynamics and soft soil mechanics.