News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
A new study suggests that a no-deal Brexit could raise cigarette and tobacco prices in the UK, making it easier to implement effective tobacco control measures. The research also highlights the potential benefits of Brexit for tackling smoking, including reduced smuggling and increased revenue for the government.
A new study finds that electronic waste generated by Americans has been declining since 2015, mainly due to the decrease of bulky CRT displays. This decline poses challenges for e-waste recycling regulations and the recovery of critical elements like cobalt and indium.
The Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion has opened a new website for Project COINS, which aims to establish an in-body hospital network by 2045. The initiative is part of the Center of Innovation Program (COI) and will focus on creating innovative healthcare and medical technologies.
Scientists at POSTECH have created a multimodal ion-electronic skin that can measure both temperature and mechanical stimulation simultaneously. This breakthrough could lead to the development of wearable temperature sensors and artificial skin for humanlike robots, potentially restoring the sense of touch in patients with tactile sens...
A systematic review found financial payments from the drug industry to US physicians are associated with increased prescribing of the paying drug company's medication. The association was consistent across all studies, suggesting a causal link between industry gifts and physician prescribing practices.
The US seafood industry experienced a significant decline in catches, imports, and exports during the pandemic. Small-scale fisheries were more affected than large-scale production systems, highlighting the need for targeted federal support to preserve local operations and promote resilience.
Research published in Journal of Banking and Finance found that stress tests reduce a bank's risk and increase lending capital, strengthening the entire banking industry. The study also found that investors perceive stress-tested banks as having a higher probability of earning expected gains.
The Sustainable Innovation Fund will provide £191 million in support for industrial research projects focused on decarbonizing buildings. Cranfield University is committed to delivering Net Zero and sees this project as an opportunity to develop renewable cooling and heating systems.
Researchers have created a polymeric nanomicelle that effectively delivers the potent mitotic inhibitor desacetyl vinblastine hydrazide (DAVBNH) to glioblastoma, showing improved survival rates in mice. The developed nanomicelle accurately senses the pH lowering in tumor tissue and releases the contained anticancer drug.
A national study of general practices in England found that diagnostic error (60%), medication incidents (25%), and delayed referrals (11%) are the main causes of avoidable harm. Researchers identified patient factors such as old age and multiple health problems, highlighting challenges in protecting patients from harm.
A new NSF-funded project at Georgia State University will examine the operation of illicit supply chains used for virtual products and services. The research team will generate low-cost but powerful tools to counter online offenders and provide empirical evidence to inform policy and law enforcement interventions.
Engineers at the University of New South Wales have developed a robotic gripper that behaves like an elephant's trunk to grasp, pick up, and release objects without breaking them. The versatile technology can be applied in various industries, including agriculture, food, and scientific exploration.
A novel method of authenticating wine using fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed by University of Adelaide researchers, offering a potential solution to the estimated billions of dollars' worth of wine fraud globally. The technique provides a unique 'fingerprint' of wine samples and has been proven effective in detecting region...
The 7th COINS Symposium aims to realize 'in-body hospitals' by 2045, with a focus on innovative medicines and treatments. The symposium features keynote speakers discussing the latest trends and medicine development.
Entomology 2020 features over 30 years of entomological research, including topics like invasive species, vector-borne disease, and pollinator protection. The virtual meeting offers on-demand sessions and live streams from November 11-25.
A new mobile app aims to provide full transparency in food supply chains, helping smallholder farmers, boutique producers, and industrial growers combat food fraud. The system uses a decentralized QR code-based tracking system, allowing consumers to track the origin of their ingredients.
The NPS conducted a concept generation workshop to explore ways to augment the nation's resilience and ability to prepare for war. Participants presented nearly 30 conceptual solutions, including ideas on forward base defense, autonomous logistics systems, and artificial intelligence applications.
Harshita Kumari, a UC pharmacy faculty member, has received a research grant to study the properties of eco-friendly surfactants. The project aims to characterize these molecules in terms of their sustainability and environmental safety compared to leading benchmark products.
A mathematical model has been developed to facilitate decision-making in inventory management, balancing performance of inventory and transport in a supply network. The model uses system dynamics methodology and can be applied to diversified crop systems, aiming to introduce environmental and economic benefits.
Dr. Zoellner received the Frozen Food Foundation Freezing Research Award for her work on agent-based computer models to control foodborne pathogens in frozen food facilities. Her research helps assure the microbial safety of frozen foods through the identification and tracing of Listeria monocytogenes.
The Subsea Systems Institute will focus on developing new technologies and practices to improve the safety and sustainability of the offshore industry. The institute's research emphasis targets harsh marine environments while reducing costs, allowing offshore production to continue even when energy prices are low.
Assistant professor of civil engineering Mohsen Shahandashti is leading a study to identify challenges in workforce decision-making processes for transportation construction industries during the pandemic. The goal is to learn how managers make decisions balancing public health and worker safety.
A cross-sectional study found that 63% of comments on the FDA proposal came from parties with financial ties to industry, with only 4% citing scientific literature. The study aims to bring attention to the need for greater transparency in AI/ML development and encourage more academic input in regulatory frameworks.
A new €639,000 EU-funded project will develop cost-effective space cooling technologies powered by green technologies. The CO-COOL RISE consortium aims to accelerate the adoption of these innovations in the marketplace.
A new digital intervention developed by pharmacists has significantly reduced hazardous prescribing rates in general practice, with a 43% reduction reported after 12 months. The SMASH intervention uses real-time data to identify patients at risk and provides near-constant feedback to prescribers.
Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) used artificial intelligence to create novel materials for memory devices. By controlling atomic structures, they discovered a unique ferroelectricity pattern, leading to the synthesis of a new material with unprecedented properties.
Research shows that high-status individuals can face biases in award decisions when judged publicly, but benefits from close social ties to judges in private settings. The study emphasizes the need for accountability and transparency in decision-making processes.
A recent study has found that potential COVID-19 vaccines are not affected by the dominant 'G-strain' of the virus. The G-strain now accounts for about 85 per cent of published SARS-CoV-2 genomes, but vaccine candidates targeting the spike protein remain effective. This discovery is good news for the hundreds of vaccines in development...
Scientists at the University of Tokyo developed a method for creating stress-free gels with less internal mechanical stress by delaying network formation. This breakthrough may help understand biological processes involving cytoplasm and improve industrial processes that create semisolid products, such as foodstuffs.
The ACM International Conference on AI in Finance (ICAIF) will explore the effects of AI on the finance world through a dynamic program of work from top researchers. Key topics include machine learning methods for detecting money laundering and algorithms for future capital markets.
The inaugural ACM International Conference on AI in Finance (ICAIF) will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the finance industry. The conference features a dynamic program of work from top researchers, including papers on machine learning methods to detect money laundering and algorithms in future capital markets.
A new study from Lehigh University College of Business professor Charles E. Stevens found that firms taking a third approach to managing corruption in developing countries, known as an 'engagement strategy', are successful due to deeper long-term commitments and partnerships.
A new interactive tool, ClubrootTracker, has been developed to help farmers locate and manage clubroot-infected areas. The tool groups the distribution of clubroot disease in one place, making it easier for farmers, researchers, and industry representatives to share information and plan a clubroot-free farm.
A new study introduces a 'traffic light' system to monitor blood glucose levels, enabling certificated pilots with insulin-treated diabetes to work as commercial pilots. The protocol has been implemented in the UK, Ireland, and Austria, resulting in a significant increase in individuals with diabetes working in safety-critical jobs.
The review paper highlights the need for better alignment between industry and research to address battery fire safety challenges. Industry leaders and researchers agree that current standards are not representative of real-world scenarios, leading to inadequate prevention and suppression of fires.
Hannes, a biomimetic hand prosthetic, has been developed to replicate human hand movement and grasp properties. It has shown improved performance compared to existing devices, enabling patients to perform daily activities with ease.
A new analytical method using Gas Chromatography with Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) has been validated for faster and more reliable olive oil categorization into three categories: extra virgin, virgin, and lampante. This method analyzes two samples per hour and uses statistical tools to create calibration equations.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a step-by-step plan to recycle cigarette butts into bricks, offering a solution to global littering problems. The plan outlines practical steps for industries to work together to tackle the issue of cigarette butt pollution, which results in toxic waste and energy consumption.
A new study suggests that a 56% increase in alcohol-industry funded research into the impacts of alcohol consumption since 2009 is a cause for concern. The researchers found nearly 13,500 studies directly or indirectly funded by the industry, with many making claims about the health benefits of alcohol.
A recent study found strong associations between financial holdings of legislators and their votes on key financial legislation, suggesting that many lawmakers voted in ways that benefited their personal finances. Researchers analyzed data from five key pieces of economic legislation between 1999 and 2008, finding that legislators larg...
A new on-site detection method for PFAS, developed by Curtin University researchers, allows for immediate and accurate measurement of levels. This method could aid in the removal of persistent environmental pollutants from contaminated lands and waters around the world.
A new study reveals that the food and drinks lobby consistently opposes effective regulations aimed at tackling unhealthy diets and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Despite rhetoric of support for public health, food industry groups challenge established evidence and advocate for weaker voluntary approaches instead.
The BATTERY 2030+ initiative aims to create more environmentally friendly and safer batteries with better performance, storage options, and longer life. The seven projects will focus on developing sensors for real-time monitoring, self-healing components, and new battery concepts.
The University of California, Davis, has received $1 million in National Science Foundation grants to support Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The grants focus on computing fields identified as national priorities by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Flinders University researchers have found a way to convert marine waste into valuable dietary proteins and products. The study suggests that sea cucumbers and other marine animals can be used as a source of protein-rich nutrients.
The LifeTime Initiative aims to track, understand and treat human cells throughout an individual's lifetime, improving health outcomes and treatment efficiency. Breakthrough technologies will enable earlier disease detection and more effective therapies for individual patients.
Researchers develop 'PhenoChip' to select and propagate single photosynthetically active cells, enabling fundamental industry applications and improved ecosystem understanding. The technology helps identify resilient cells in natural environments, such as coral reef health, and can aid in mitigating climate change impacts.
A two-year project is prototyping miniature fitness trackers and environmental sensors to monitor lobsters' health and shipping conditions. The devices aim to reduce mortality and improve survival in the lobster supply chain, valued at nearly half a billion dollars annually.
A recent study published in Production and Operations Management explores the potential of retail drone delivery to change logistics networks. The research found that drone delivery can enable faster lead times, more profitable delivery customization, and increased demand due to time-sensitive customer needs.
The Co-Design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA) will develop quantum technologies to serve as the platform for future computing innovations. Princeton faculty members, including Andrew Houck and Nathalie de Leon, will lead major leadership roles in the center.
Researchers found that char can rapidly restore soil carbon and sulfate concentrations, but did not affect physical properties or crop yields. The study suggests char as a potential strategy to enhance soil properties and crop yields in low-carbon soils.
A team of scientists successfully fabricated a giant magnetoresistive device comprising single-crystal Heusler alloys on a practical silicon substrate. The device performs comparably to the one grown on a heat-resistant MgO substrate, overcoming challenges in high-performance magnetoresistive devices.
The White House, NSF, and DOE announced over $1 billion in awards for the establishment of 12 new AI and QIS research institutes. These institutes will spur cutting-edge innovation, support regional economic growth, and advance American leadership in emerging technologies.
Researchers at Monash University developed a machine-learning algorithm that can characterise graphene properties and quality without bias in under 14 minutes. This technology will help manufacturers boost the quality and reliability of their graphene supply, saving time and money.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that targeted efforts to increase water efficiency can save enough water annually to fill Lake Mead. The research found that some regions and industries have the greatest potential for water savings, with improved water productivity in corn, cotton, and alfalfa contrib...
The University of Oklahoma is leading a $100 million NSF AI Institute to advance trustworthy AI in weather, climate, and coastal oceanography. Researchers will develop accurate predictions and improve societal resilience to climate change.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a new crystalline material that reversibly changes color from yellow to red when absorbing water, indicating the presence of water. This work could lead to the creation of highly sensitive vapochromic sensors that can detect gases or water vapor without external power.
A new US study reveals that improving water productivity in certain regions and industries can help conserve water. By setting realistic benchmarks, the research found that areas with high water stress have the most potential for water savings, with around half of those gains coming from agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a method to generate attosecond pulses using industrial-grade lasers, making it more accessible to scientists from various disciplines. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in power generation, chemical- and biological-weapon detection, and medical diagnostics.
Researchers found that those with existing fossil fuel interests oversold the idea of converting gas infrastructure to run on low-carbon hydrogen. To meet net-zero emissions goals for heating, known low-carbon heating options like heat pumps and networks must be prioritized.