Science
Quantum Information: Making Two from One
Quantum physics analyzes a quantum system (QS) that has the ability to exist in a superposition of different states, simultaneously. Lately, scientists have developed computers, which are based on quantum mechanical principles, instead of classical physics.
The Insect Decline: Is The Science On This Subject Being Reported Accurately?
The idea that insect populations are crashing worldwide is rapidly taking hold in the public consciousness. It may be driven by articles such as the recent example from the Guardian newspaper, which led with the phrase: “The world’s insects are hurtling down the path to extinction.” This rather alarming content was based on a recent review conducted by a pair of researchers from Australian universities.
Sustainable Science: Exploring The Safe Operating Space For Humanity In The Anthropocene
The concept of carrying capacity is employed in a remarkably wide range of disciplines and debates, and it has been forcefully critiqued within numerous fields. Though, its historical origins still remain obscure.
The natural and engineering sciences offer tremendous prospect for contribution to a more sustainable future, and it becomes a responsibility because these areas produce, not only solutions but also, problems. It is much needed that science and technology are accompanied by societal priorities because this gives sustainability science its context and rationale.
Best Before Dates Go High-Tech: Canadian University Develops Super-Efficient Transparent Patch to Detect Food Spoilage
Many of us judge the freshness of foods by their appearance or smell. This works for most un-refined foods we can buy and that are found in nature. However, in the case of packaged foods, we are often reduced to using the best-before dates printed on the outside of boxes or bottles. Consumers may regard these dates as accurate and reliable, but the truth is that they can be a little arbitrary. This may lead to food waste whether the products in question are in fact edible or not.
Alternative Illumination: The Next Generation of Molecule-Level Lighting Solutions
Biological and chemical nanoengineers are faced with the problem of getting molecules to take the shapes they want towards certain applications.
For example, tissue engineering may require molecular 'scaffolds' to deliver and build matrices of the new cells needed to replace those lost in wounds or other anomalies. However, it is difficult to get synthetic large-scale structures to stay in one piece, in vitro or in vivo. This instability is due to the difficulty in finding chemical formulas that will result in reliable, robust lattice structures.
Microglia, the Gardeners of the Brain: New Imaging Techniques Confirms Neurodevelopmental Theory
Microglia are cells thought to make up about 10% of the brain. Despite their lack of neuronal function, they are seen as quite important to normal neurological health and function.
Research Finds That Sleeping Sickness Disrupts The Body’s Internal Clock
The condition associated with Trypanosoma brucei is known as sleeping sickness, where affected humans tend to want to sleep during the day rather than the night. Patients with this condition also exhibit altered patterns of body temperature and endocrine functions. Their activities gradually shift through the morning, which, in turn, increases the body's drive to go to sleep at the "end" of that day.
Study of ‘Alien Skeleton’ Turns Up Evidence of Unique New Human Mutations
A specimen found in the Atacama Desert over ten years ago rocked the internet with many wild theories about its origins and how such a creature came to be on Earth. These remains were skeletal and had a mostly humanoid form. However, it was also only about six inches long and had an elongated skull with an abnormal ridge. Its eye sockets were also stretched out of normal human proportions. For some, this was enough evidence to count it as an alien that had somehow come to Earth and perished here. However, it seems a scientific study of the tiny skeleton has ruined that fun.
3D Printing to Heal Skull Fractures
The 47th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) is currently taking place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has already turned out some interesting new findings.
For example, one presentation indicates that certain types of bone damage can be healed using a form of 3D printing. The project being showcased in this instance is intended to address skull bone defects, which are difficult to treat with conventional surgery.
Watching Nanowires Grow: The Hottest New Pastime in the German Synchrotron Lab
Nanowires are short, thin rods of material such as gallium arsenide that are present at the sub-micrometric scale.
They are grown on substrates such as silicon wafers in a way that resembles molecular self-assembly. Understanding this process is also key to controlling and modulating it. These abilities would mean scientists could create their own custom nanowires, which could be beneficial to numerous areas of science and technology.
Genome Study Reveals Why The American Cockroach Is Virtually Indestructible
Periplaneta americana, commonly known as the American cockroach, is the most dreaded house pest of them all.
Why? It is almost impossible to kill.
This unique survival mechanism has inspired scientists to create robots mimicking these roaches. But, what makes them so adaptable to the environment that they cannot be destroyed easily? Their genes!
Stephen Hawking and Physics: Putting His Theories into Practice
The news of Stephen Hawking’s death may have come as a source of sadness for many of us. His family have reported that he was at peace as he passed away on the morning of the 14th of March 2018.
However, it may certainly be hard to imagine a world without his regular new contributions to popular culture, not to mention his specific academic and scientific arenas.
Climate Change Increases Avalanche Risk In Himalayas
The phenomenon of 'climate warming' has been touted as the ultimate environmental risk of the future. This occurrence is being linked to potentially cataclysmic processes such as widespread flooding, hurricanes, and the concomitant, permanent loss of land-mass. It may also lead to large-scale damage to locations that are normally ice- and snow-locked.
True Biological Age Can Be Revealed By…Urine Test
Even though the process of ageing differs among individuals (based on their lifestyles and environment), it is inevitable and irreversible for all of them. Chronological age can be measured according to birth date, each year, but experts have adjudged this method to be inaccurate while determining true biological age.
The “Magic” Genes of Magic Mushrooms Have Been Identified
Naturally occurring in the wild, psilocybin mushrooms, colloquially known as "magic" mushrooms, have long mystified researchers. The origin of their unique properties - causing auditory and visual hallucinations, moments of euphoria, and feelings of "magic" - are being investigated. Amidst controversy, these special mushrooms are believed to have, in moderate doses, therapeutic effects on humans such as in combating depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Magnets In Space And How They Work
Magnetic forces form the basis of how the universe keeps turning. However, many researchers assert that these forces may have other roles in the wider cosmos owing to the presence of molten cores in the many planets and planetoids out there.
A team of researchers in a German astrophysics centre plan to model the magnetism generated by these bodies using an experimental analogue, similar to a dynamo. The results of this experiment may lead to a better understanding of many fundamental phenomena, like why the Earth tilts on its solar orbit and such.
The Truth Needs Better Boots: New Research Confirms Effect of Falsehood on Sharing Rates Online
There is a depressing quote concerning the ability of false information to outpace a more verifiable counterpart among human beings. Furthermore, it has many versions and variations, some of which are attributed to more than one author. However, it appears that including a wrongful citation would ensure that it would be repeated far earlier and far more often. This would be in keeping with the message of the quote – and would also be substantiated by scientific evidence.
23andMe Cancer Risk Test Kit Gets A ‘Go’ Signal From FDA
One of the biggest challenges faced by cancer patients today is diagnosis of their condition early enough to get suitable treatment options.
Cancer results in more than 8 million deaths worldwide, each year, and the National Cancer Institute has predicted the numbers to rise to 22 million in the next few decades.
Among years of innovation and research, a new way to tackle the detection of this disease has been developed — an improved and faster screening test.
Spiders and Bees are Robotic Role Models, Claims Speaker at Futurist Summit
Why would robots want to mimic spiders? So they can jump, according to robotics professor Mostafa Nabawy, during his keynote speech at the Industry 4.0 event. This summit had been set up so that academics could showcase their ideas and theories for what they call ‘the next Industrial Revolution’. This concept centres on the role of upcoming technology in the progression and advancement of global industry – robotics included. Dr.
Gene Editing for Heart Disease?
Conditions such as heart disease are strongly associated with arterial damage and obstruction with cholesterol plaques and the biochemical factors that may contribute to them.
These factors are in turn related to certain genes that may determine the overall susceptibility to heart disease in some patients. Conversely, other people appear to be more resistant to cholesterol plaque formation due to specific genetic mutations.