The issue of plastic pollution in the ocean has garnered significant attention in recent years, primarily due to its harmful effects on marine life. However, a new study co-authored by Northeastern researcher Aron Stubbins reveals an additional, and perhaps more insidious, consequence of microplastics in the ocean. According to the study, microplastics may be hindering
Environmental decision-making is a complex process that is influenced by various factors. According to a recent study conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA), recognizing and respecting the diverse ways in which nature is valued can significantly improve this process. The research, published in the journal One Earth, highlights the importance of understanding different
Traditional two-terminal devices have long been the foundation of electronic components, connecting circuits via two electrical terminals. However, these components have often posed limitations on the performance and functionality of systems. At the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), researchers at the iGAN Laboratory, led by Prof. Haiding Sun, have made a breakthrough
The recent outbreak of bird flu in the United States has not only impacted hunters and farmers but also poses a risk to city dwellers, especially those with pets, according to scientists. A community science project known as the New York City Virus Hunters (NYCVH) Program conducted research that revealed the presence of a highly
In the realm of toxic gas detection, the current systems available are limited in their capabilities – often providing one-time use or limited monitoring capabilities. However, researchers at MIT have recently developed a revolutionary detector that has the potential to provide continuous monitoring for the presence of toxic gases at a low cost. This groundbreaking
Carbon pricing systems have been implemented in various countries around the world as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. A recent meta-study conducted by a research team led by the MCC has shed light on the effectiveness of these systems in their initial years of operation. The research team employed
In recent years, the Bay Area’s tech industry has experienced significant turmoil, with massive job losses plaguing major companies like Tesla. However, there are now signs that the sector is stabilizing, with cutbacks becoming less severe overall. According to Beacon Economics, the Bay Area lost 36,000 tech jobs in the one-year period ending in March
The emergence of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) in the realm of wireless communications has sparked a newfound excitement among engineers and researchers at the University of Glasgow and their counterparts in the U.K. and Australia. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize indoor communication by providing precise location tracking of individuals and objects within
Majorana particles, named after an Italian theoretical physicist, are a type of complex quasiparticles that have the potential to revolutionize quantum computing. These particles, which fall into the category of emergent particles, can exist in certain types of superconductors and in a quantum state of matter known as a spin liquid. The ability of Majoranas
The development of efficient hydrogen storage technologies is crucial for the transition to sustainable energy solutions. Hydrogen, known for its versatility and clean energy potential, can be produced from renewable sources. Solid-state hydrogen storage materials, such as magnesium hydride (MgH2), are considered promising due to their high storage capacity and availability. However, despite decades of
Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of adults in the United States and can be a debilitating condition. Current treatments often rely on addictive painkillers, which may not always provide sufficient relief. To delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain, Mayank Gautam, a neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, and his team conducted a
In a groundbreaking development, a dairy farmer in the US has become the first recorded case of cow-to-human transmission of the highly pathogenic bird flu A(H5N1). This marks a significant shift in the spread of the virus, which has primarily been seen in poultry and wild animals since 2020. The infected farm worker experienced inflammation
Quantum physics and quantum chemistry have long relied on stochastic methods like Monte Carlo simulations to study strongly interacting systems. However, these methods face challenges when sign oscillations occur, leading to inaccurate results. A recent breakthrough by an international team of researchers from Germany, Turkey, the U.S., China, South Korea, and France introduces the new
Building design methods play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and integrity of structures. The traditional approach focuses on improving connectivity between components to redistribute loads in case of component failure. However, this method can lead to progressive collapse after large initial failures, as evidenced by incidents like the Champlain Towers collapse. In response,
Prions are abnormal, infectious agents that trigger the misfolding of normal cellular proteins, leading to a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as prion diseases. These conditions, which include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and mad cow disease in animals, are fatal and currently lack effective treatments. The conversion of a normal prion protein (PrPC) into a