Articles tagged with Opacity
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A team of researchers from the University of Ottawa has developed innovative methods to enhance frequency conversion of terahertz (THz) waves in graphene-based structures, unlocking new potential for faster, more efficient technologies in wireless communication and signal processing. These advancements hold great promise for wireless c...
Kobe University has developed a new way to produce colors using nanospheres, which could reduce the environmental impact of paints and cosmetics. The technology uses silicon spheres to scatter light, creating bright and brilliant colors that do not fade or change with viewing angle.
Researchers develop a novel edge-highlighting visualization technique to improve the clarity of complex 3D structures, revealing sharp edges and intricate details. The technique, tested on real 3D point cloud data, offers interactive rendering speeds and enhances depth perception.
Concordia researchers develop a novel method of 3D printing using acoustic holograms, capable of creating complex objects quickly and at once. This technique, called holographic direct sound printing (HDSP), stores information of multiple images in a single hologram, allowing for the creation of multiple objects simultaneously.
A new imaging device that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) with traditional otoscopy improves diagnostic capabilities for hearing clinics. The integrated device provides detailed views of the eardrum and middle ear, enabling more accurate diagnoses and treatment.
A Concordia PhD candidate argues that tech companies' opaque algorithms for storing and sharing personal content raise questions about selection and representation. An Apple update blocking Holocaust-themed photos in the iPhone Photos app's Memories sparked a debate among users, with some expressing annoyance at being told what to see.
The new metafluid can transition between Newtonian and non-Newtonian states, allowing for programmable viscosity and compressibility. The researchers demonstrated the fluid's capabilities in a hydraulic robotic gripper, picking up objects of varying weights without crushing them.
Researchers have discovered a way to utilize nonlinear scattering media for optical computing and machine learning. They created a novel theoretical framework involving third-order tensors, which can represent the complex relationships between input and output signals. This breakthrough has potential applications in real-world settings...
An international team developed a novel method for evaluating AI interpretability methods to decipher the basis of AI reasoning and possible biases. The approach helps users understand what influences AI results and whether they can be trusted, especially in medical applications where AI-powered decisions can impact health and lives.
Scientists uncover evidence of median eyes in trilobites, which were previously unknown due to fossilization process. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of arthropods and provides a new tool for classifying species.
Researchers at KAUST have developed acoustic tweezers that use spinning sound waves to manipulate ultrasmall objects with precision. This technology has the potential to enable precise control of submillimeter objects in opaque media, such as soft biological tissues.
A new MIT study suggests that current opacity models used by astronomers may not be accurate enough to interpret the precise light-based signals from the James Webb Space Telescope. The researchers predict that properties of planetary atmospheres, such as temperature and elemental composition, could be off by an order of magnitude if e...
A team of scientists led by Professor Barbara Pierscionek has made significant progress in developing an anti-cataract drug. Lab trials showed improvement in refractive index profiles and lens opacity in 61% and 46% of cases, respectively.
A study found that banks in states with senators on the influential Senate Banking Committee have higher levels of discretionary loan loss provisions, indicating greater opacity. This effect is stronger for larger banks and those with higher risk. The researchers argue that politicians' incentives to save their home state's banks durin...
A new microscope allows for real-time aberration-free dynamic speckle microscopy using compressed time-reversal matrix technology. This enables almost real-time volumetric adaptive optical imaging with reduced data acquisition time and improved lateral resolution.
A new review and meta-analysis found that drug companies are increasingly disclosing negative study findings for antidepressants. While progress has been made, full transparency remains an issue, with researchers emphasizing the need to report all trial results, both positive and negative, to inform patient treatment.
A deep learning algorithm from VUNO improved radiologists' sensitivity for detecting reticular opacity on chest radiographs in patients with mild to severe interstitial lung disease. The algorithm accuracy reached 98.5% and improved interobserver agreement, suggesting its potential for screening suspected ILD patients.
McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.
A study involving 154 volunteers found that wearing transparent masks increased comprehension of speech by 10%, even for those with normal hearing. The study's findings suggest that visual cues play a significant role in facilitating communication during masked conversations.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a system that enables robots to pick up transparent and reflective objects using a color camera and depth images. The system outperforms previous methods in grasping these challenging objects, with high success rates in both clean and cluttered environments.
A new easy-to-use smart optical film technology has been developed, enabling smart windows to switch between transparent and opaque states. The film demonstrates high speed and performance, allowing for fast switching and uniform tinting while securing durability, stability, and safety.
A case series of 30 pediatric patients with COVID-19 found that 77% had negative chest CT findings, while the subset with positive results showed common patterns such as bilateral ground-glass opacities and lower lobe predominance. Age correlated with increasing severity of findings.
A new study suggests that great apes, including chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, possess a theory of mind, enabling them to understand others' mental states. The team observed that the apes anticipated an agent's actions based on their own experiences with different barriers.
Physicists at Sandia National Laboratories' Z machine found that an astronomical model underestimates the energy blockage caused by free-floating iron atoms. The experimental opacity measurements can help resolve a major discrepancy in how the Standard Solar Model uses the sun's composition to predict star behavior.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a technique to pre-treat laser beams, allowing them to penetrate opaque surfaces undisturbed. This breakthrough has potential applications for deep-tissue imaging and optogenetics, where light is used to probe and manipulate cells in living tissue.
Three-dimensional simulations of the luminous blue variable star have revealed the physical forces behind its wild variations in brightness and spectrum. The simulations show that convection plays a key role in triggering outbursts, with helium opacity being a crucial factor.
A team of astronomers led by George Becker found that 12.5 billion years ago, the most opaque region in the universe had relatively little matter. The discovery sheds light on how galaxies formed and altered their surroundings in the early universe.
Research by University of Bangor and Basque Centre on Cognition, Brain and Language finds bilingualism reduces dyslexia symptoms in adults. Bilingual individuals experience less severe problems with English reading and phonological processes compared to monolingual dyslexics.
A groundbreaking study has identified a new periodic autoinflammatory syndrome affecting the eyes, known as keratoendotheliitis fugax hereditaria. The disease is caused by a mutation in the NLRP3 gene and affects corneal endothelium, leading to temporary ocular inflammation.
Researchers have confirmed that the average path length of light in opaque media is always the same, regardless of transparency. This result has implications for our understanding of wave propagation in disordered media and has potential applications in various fields.
Researchers developed an algorithm to capture neural activity within mouse brain tissue, enabling them to track hundreds of individual neurons in a single recording. The technique, combined with light field microscopy, allows for real-time monitoring and alteration of stimuli based on brain activity.
Scientists have developed a new solar smart window that can turn opaque on demand for added privacy, while also powering other devices using excess energy. The innovative window uses liquid crystals and an amorphous silicon layer to achieve this functionality.
Researchers discovered that bilinguals use distinct neural networks to read languages with phonetic and orthographic correspondence, such as Basque, from those without it, like English. The findings have significant implications for teaching reading to adults and children.
A team of chemists created materials that change color or texture in response to environmental changes, inspired by squid, jellyfish, and human skin. These materials can be used for encrypting secret messages, creating anti-glare surfaces, or detecting moisture or damage.
A new system has been developed at MIT that allows glass to rapidly switch from transparent to dark, and vice versa, using electrochromic materials. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption by blocking sunlight on hot days.
Researchers have developed programmable electronic glasses that help improve vision in children with lazy eye as effectively as traditional treatment using eye patches. The 'digital patch' is a new effective treatment for lazy eye in half a century, offering an alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that iron's opacity plays a significant role in regulating energy transfer within the sun. By creating conditions similar to those found inside the sun, the team was able to measure the opacity of iron and close a theoretical gap in the Standard Solar Model.
Marine species use reflectors on scales to reduce contrast with background, but tiny mantis shrimp larvae hide compound eyes behind brilliant eye reflections that match surrounding water spectrum. Lab tests show little contrast between eye reflections and environment, revealing potential role for larval eyeshine in camouflage
A Duke University study found that strobe glasses improved hockey players' performance by forcing their visual system to train in difficult conditions. The glasses produced stroboscopic visual conditions, resulting in an 18% improvement in on-ice skills and demonstrating potential benefits for sports performance.
Researchers tracked observer eye movements during video clips of the 'Cups and Balls' trick to illuminate how our brains can be misdirected. This study advances our understanding of human cognition and perception, shedding light on how magicians manipulate attention.
Harvard physicists have discovered that ultrathin, atomically thin films can be tailored to reflect specific colors using an overlooked optical phenomenon. The coatings, made of gold and germanium or other elements, change color with minimal thickness changes.
The UK and US healthcare systems have much to learn from each other, particularly in areas like financing, organisation, and information technology. The authors highlight key differences between the two countries' reforms and suggest that country-specific expertise could be valuable.
Scientists at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray analysis to identify a hitherto unknown degradation process at the interface between paint and varnish. The study found that the presence of lead-based siccative in the varnish led to the formation of anglesite, an opaque compound causing discoloration.
Researchers at MIT Media Lab have developed a new imaging system that can produce recognizable 3-D images of objects outside its line of sight by using femtosecond laser pulses and analyzing reflected light. The system has potential applications in emergency response, vehicle navigation, and medical devices.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that certain mid-ocean creatures can control their reflection by changing skin pigments in response to blue light. This allows them to avoid predators using searchlights, such as squid and octopuses that use this tactic to catch prey.
Researchers at Duke University found that strobe-like eyewear can improve visual abilities, particularly in detecting brief stimuli and small changes in motion. The study involved nearly 500 participants who trained with either strobe or control eyewear, showing some improvements in noticing brief stimuli after training.
Scientists have observed relativistic transparency in plasma, allowing it to act as a fast optical switch. This phenomenon enables the flow of light through previously opaque material in less than a tenth of a picosecond.
Scientists at ESCPI conducted an experiment to focus light through opaque materials and detect objects hidden behind them. They used a numerical model called a transmission matrix to tailor a beam of light specifically to pass through the material and focus on the other side.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method for creating exceptionally fine lines on microchips, overcoming fundamental limits in light-based technologies. The technique uses interference patterns to produce transparent lines interspersed with opaque material.
Researchers used synchrotron X-ray imaging to study opaque amber from mid-Cretaceous sites in France, discovering 356 fossil animals including wasps, flies, ants, and spiders. The team found that tiny organisms were more likely to be trapped in the resin due to their small size.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Center for X-Ray Optics achieved a resolution of better than 15 nanometers using zone plate lenses, surpassing previous limits. The new technique allows for the fabrication of small three-dimensional structures and has potential applications in biology, chemistry, and nanotechnology.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin C intake was associated with a lower risk of developing early-onset cortical opacities. Women who consumed 362mg/day of vitamin C had a 57% reduced risk, while those using supplements for at least 10 years saw a 60% reduction in cataract risk.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that taking vitamin C supplements for over 10 years significantly lowers the risk of lens opacities and subsequent cataracts in older women. Researchers discovered a 77% lower prevalence of early and 83% lower prevalence of moderate lens opacities among women who use...