News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
The UMass Lowell team will explore new ways of sharing data across different organizations compliant with HIPAA, enabling efficient collaboration among patients, researchers, and practitioners. The project aims to develop a secure cyberinfrastructure that can handle sensitive data, including homeland security and counterterrorism.
Researchers at Joint Quantum Institute demonstrate a new way to distinguish between quantum scrambling and true information loss using a small quantum computer. They achieved an accuracy of 80% in correctly diagnosing scrambling with seven atomic ions.
Researchers developed a microrobot that can reach accurate locations of cardiovascular disease, such as Chronic Total Occlusion, and move towards desired directions inside complicated blood vessels. This innovation increases the success rate of treatment and shortens surgery time.
Researchers Lee Vinsel and Andrew Russell aim to improve the lives of maintenance professionals through a global network and recognition. They received a $189,193 grant from the Alfred Sloan Foundation to connect leaders with maintainers in various industries.
Microfabricated surfaces with hair-like micropillars can entrap particles at five times the density of commercial patches, enabling higher drug contents and potential biomedical applications. The technology could also be used for industrial purposes, building on the unique properties of honey bee legs.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that metal oxide catalysts can predict reactivity with easy-to-determine properties, enabling more efficient processes across various industries. The findings open up new pathways for rational catalyst design and pollution abatement.
Researchers develop AI algorithm to optimize traffic management in optical telecommunications networks, increasing efficiency by 30%. The new approach uses deep reinforcement learning and can learn autonomously without prior knowledge.
A study reveals key insights into breeding and distribution practices in the turfgrass industry, aiming to address growing environmental concerns. Researchers identified primary parties influencing breeders' decisions and challenges they face when developing target traits.
A large-scale research initiative called Battery 2030+ aims to invent the batteries of the future, providing European industry with cutting-edge technologies. The project will focus on establishing an acceleration platform for discovering new battery materials using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
A €2.5M research project aims to enable European university researchers to translate their research outcomes into market-ready products and services. The OpenInnoTrain project connects European and Australian research centers through scientific exchanges, workshops, and hackathons.
The UK will create 1,000 new Ph.D.s in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a £100m investment, driving transformation across industries, healthcare, and climate change. The program aims to ensure AI innovation has ethics at its core, training future leaders to work on complex tasks and generate novel large-scale open datasets.
Zebras evolved striped coats to evade tabanid horse flies, which carry debilitating diseases. The study found that stripes don't deter flies at a distance, but disrupt their approach, making it harder for them to land and feed on zebras.
The article reviews the challenges, needs, and opportunities of strawberry growers across the US, highlighting increasing use of protected culture strawberry production. Key findings also discuss pest control, labor availability, and consumer demand for year-round availability.
Researchers developed a near-weightless material with exceptional structural stability and superinsulation, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. The unique ceramic aerogel features unusual double-negative-index properties, demonstrating robustness against high-temperature exposure and rapid temperature swings.
The study predicts three plausible future scenarios for the research ecosystem, driven by technology advancements and changing funding models. Researchers can expect benefits from faster publication, improved reproducibility, and greater career flexibility.
The COMET Project aims to create a low-carbon special powertrain research center at TU Graz, focusing on CO2-neutral fuels, hybrid drive technology, and electric powertrain components. The four-year project is funded by six million euros and strengthens Austria's research and production location.
A recent study found that about half of US consumers have positive attitudes towards genetically modified food, while nearly 14% have negative perceptions. The survey also revealed that demographics such as age and education level play a role in shaping opinions on GM science.
A year-long trial of electronically-delivered prescribing feedback and online decision support for GPs reduced antibiotic prescribing for respiratory illnesses. Antibiotic use was reduced by 12%, with no increase in serious complications.
A new £35 million research network, SUSTAIN, aims to transform the UK steel sector by making it cleaner, greener, and smarter. The project will focus on two areas: zero waste iron and steelmaking and smart steel processing.
A recent study found that modern mahouts in Myanmar are younger and less experienced, leading to concerns about elephant welfare. The research team discovered a reduced traditional family connection to the profession and fewer apprenticeships, with many mahots having little training before being paired with an elephant.
By employing high-performance computing, researchers have developed new models for fine-scale turbulence data that can be used to inform large-eddy simulations, bringing accurate jet spray simulations to a commercial level. This advancement aims to improve fuel injection efficiency and spraying accuracy in various industrial processes.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that four crops (soybeans, wheat, rice, and corn) now dominate globally, with only 152 out of 153 main crops being grown. This trend has implications for regional food sovereignty, ecological resilience, and pest/disease management.
A Drexel University study found that nail salon employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals and experience acute symptoms, highlighting the need for intervention and policy change. The researchers propose simple protective practices, such as mask-wearing and proper ventilation, to improve workplace safety.
Researchers are developing tools to help identify analogies using AI and crowd workers. This approach aims to scale up the process of finding helpful insights that can lead to scientific breakthroughs. The potential benefits include more efficient discovery and a greater number of profound advances.
The University of Lincoln is launching the world's first Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Agri-Food Robotics, investing £6.6m for 50 doctoral students. The CDT will focus on areas like autonomous mobility, harvesting, and soft robotics to address global food chain challenges.
A new centre for doctoral training in renewable energies will be established in North East England, aiming to develop sustainable power sources for smart devices and future transportation systems. Researchers will work on creating new materials and devices that can convert energy into power at the point of use.
A study published in Environment International found that PFAS substances, commonly used in consumer products, accumulate in fetal tissue throughout pregnancy. The study also revealed higher levels of these chemicals in male fetuses than female, highlighting the need for further research on their effects.
The authors propose a standardized communication method, BioCompute, to improve the repeatability and reproducibility of high-throughput genomic sequencing findings. This framework enables robust and reproducible data analysis, which is crucial for the future of personalized medicine.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that ideological cyberterrorist attacks by far-left groups are on the rise, targeting companies and organizations with data breaches, web defacements, and doxing. The attacks have a significant economic and emotional impact, making them a growing threat.
The UNIST research team has been awarded the Minister of Science and ICT Award for their study on clarifying the concept and scope of Industry 4.0 using big data analytics and artificial intelligence. The team identified key convergence R&D issues, including infrastructure development, AI development, and industrial innovation.
UNIST has conferred an honorary doctorate degree to Dr. Fawwaz Habbal, recognizing his contributions to education and culture through industry and academia. The award is a testament to his work with the UNIST-Harvard SEAS Summer Exchange Program and joint research initiatives.
The SIOP Visionary Circle is a charitable program that aims to provide transformational funding for I-O research and development. Donations start at $1,000, and visionaries will vote on the proposal with the greatest impact in the field at the 2020 conference.
A Harvard University study found that the Coca-Cola Company, through its connection with a nonprofit group, has exerted substantial influence over obesity science and policy solutions in China. The study, conducted by Susan Greenhalgh, reveals how industry funding and personal connections shaped policy decisions.
Researchers develop phone-based intervention app to strengthen personal and occupational resources in military personnel, promoting balance and growth values. The project's goal is to improve the quality of life for military personnel, addressing stressors such as separation from family and frequent relocation.
Kathleen Smits' research aims to improve response to gas-emission incidents by predicting methane migration conditions and providing data-based guidelines for industry first responders. Her team's modeling has found that gas concentrations in the atmosphere are often small compared to the size of the leak, making detection methods flawed.
Researchers from Russia and China develop new cathode material using solid electrolyte to boost battery energy storage by 15%. The breakthrough reduces the weight of electric vehicles and devices, paving the way for wider adoption of green technologies.
Researchers at Kansas State University have made a groundbreaking discovery in developing ultra-low noise, high-performance transistors using two-dimensional atomic thin materials. The breakthrough could pave the way for innovative technologies in electronics and sensing.
Researchers used machine learning to categorize porous organic cage molecules based on their cavity shapes and adsorption properties. The study demonstrated that the learned encoding captures key features of the cavities, enabling potential energy savings in gas separations.
A systematic review of interventional studies found that food labels can lead to changes in consumer behavior, including reduced calorie and fat intake, but not significant impacts on other nutrients. Industry responses also showed reductions in trans fat and sodium, but no effects on added sugar or other healthy components.
The 5TONIC Lab in Madrid is accelerating 5G network slice deployment by developing proof-of-concept demonstrations for vertical markets. The €8m EU-backed 5G-Transformer project enables standard technological frameworks for network slicing using NFV, SDN, and MEC.
A new study led by Dr Constantine Manolchev from the University of Exeter Business School found that low-skilled workers in insecure employment do not form a unified 'precariat' to resist their bosses. The research contradicts the idea that these workers are united by working contexts.
Researchers found that customization features inspiring autonomy, community, and competence led to increased tracked workouts and weight lifted. Relatedness and competence also predicted user behavior, with gender playing a role in these effects.
Researchers conducted a 19-month experiment to study algae growth in five outdoor locations across the US. The project provided valuable data on optimal conditions for algae production, which can help others make predictions and develop strategies for growing algae in various regions.
Researchers developed AI technology to identify small leaks in water pipes by analyzing acoustic signatures recorded by hydrophone sensors. This allows cities to proactively address issues before they become major problems.
Research by Jaehee Jung explores the impact of changing gender roles, consumerism, and Western media on Chinese women's perceptions of beauty. The study found that young Chinese women prefer thin bodies and angular faces, leading to increased dissatisfaction with their body image.
Researchers found pesticide residues in 83% of soil samples from 11 European countries, highlighting the persistence of pesticides in the land. The study suggests that mixes of pesticides are more common than single types, posing a risk to non-target species.
The Faraday Institution's £1.6m supercomputer will accelerate UK research on EV batteries by simulating fast-charging, low-temperature operation and thermal management. Researchers can now run simulations overnight, reducing the time to improve battery performance and lifetime.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a decline of 78-100% in European truffle production between 2071 and 2100, with significant economic and social impacts. The study highlights the need for conservational initiatives and management strategies to mitigate soil temperature fluctuations and conserve soil moisture.
A team of McGill researchers has created a phosphorus-free anti-scaling solution based on hairy nanocellulose, providing an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods. The breakthrough uses negatively charged carboxyl groups on cellulose nanoparticles to control scale formation.
The Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project has received an additional $13 million to accelerate its progress in redesigning photosynthesis. The funding will be used to test model predictions in key crops and translate yield-boosting technologies more quickly, aiming to achieve a 50 percent yield increase.
The €13.6 million FutureNeuro centre will focus on understanding brain structure and function to transform the patient journey for people with neurological diseases. Outcomes include improved diagnostics, precision medicine, point-of-care technology and new treatments.
Professor Sheldon Jacobson and his students developed a risk-based security system that streamlined airport screenings, saving an estimated $350 million annually. Their work led to the creation of TSA PreCheck, which uses dynamic models to assess passenger risk over time.
A recent study by Kansas State University found that only a small percentage of horticultural businesses are selling live plants online through platforms like Amazon. The study highlights the challenges faced by these businesses, including strict seller requirements and cost-prohibitive fees.
Penn State researchers found that people can learn to associate colors with tastes and that some people are quicker learners than others. They also discovered that different bitter compounds have distinct taste profiles, which may explain why people enjoy some bitter flavors but not others.
A new approach to graduate education centered around collaboration between academia and industry is being developed at Lehigh University. The 'use-inspired' model provides students with long-term, hands-on industry experience and aims to prepare them for non-academic positions.
A recent study found that consuming whole cranberry powder reduced the negative effects of low-fiber, animal-based diets on the gut microbiota. The study showed that cranberry compounds helped maintain beneficial short-chain fatty acids and reduced potentially carcinogenic secondary bile acids.
Terrence F. Alger II, a leading researcher at Southwest Research Institute, has been awarded the 2019 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Award in Technology Innovation for his groundbreaking work on vehicle engines. His Dedicated Exhaust Gas Recirculation technology improves fuel economy by up to 15% while reducing engine-out emissions.
The partnership will deliver a next-generation supercomputer, Hawk, which will be the world's fastest for industrial production, powering applications in energy, climate, mobility, and health. The system will have a theoretical peak performance of 24 petaFLOPs.
Researchers at UTA have filed a patent application for a new copper compound that can efficiently separate ethylene from ethane, reducing energy consumption and capital investment. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact and lower costs associated with producing plastics.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a liquid-gated membrane system that filters nanoclay particles out of water with high efficiency, reducing fouling and pressure requirements. This innovation has the potential to save energy and improve industrial processes in various industries.