Cities around the world are facing a scarcity of space for outdoor sports activities. In order to address this issue, many parks and public sports courts have turned to artificial turf as a way to accommodate heavy use. While artificial turf has its benefits, such as durability and low maintenance, there are also significant downsides
Recent research conducted by Jennifer Guelfo from Texas Tech University has shed light on the concerning environmental impact of a novel sub-class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) found in lithium ion batteries. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that these PFAS, known as bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides (bis-FASIs), exhibit environmental persistence and ecotoxicity comparable to older
Have you ever wondered why a polyester T-shirt tends to hold onto odor more than a cotton one, especially after a workout? New research from the University of Alberta sheds light on this issue. The study, conducted by Rachel McQueen and her colleagues, focused on analyzing different fibers soaked in a simulated sweat solution to
Photons, the elementary particles of light, have been a subject of study for researchers at the University of Twente. Unlike electrons that orbit around atoms in fixed shapes, photons possess a much greater variety of behaviors and are easier to control. This difference opens up new possibilities for applications in fields such as smart LED
Founded by Morris Chang in 1987, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has become a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry in the last four decades. With a background in the tech industry in the United States, Chang aimed to establish a semiconductor industry in Taiwan to compete with leading countries like Japan. Despite starting from scratch,
In a recent study published in Physical Review Letters, a research team led by academician Guo Guangcan, Prof. Li Chuanfeng, and Prof. Liu Biheng from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and Prof. Giulio Chiribella from the University of Hong Kong, has made significant progress in constructing a coherent superposition of quantum
Robots have long been used in a variety of settings, from industrial workplaces to domestic environments. However, one of the limitations they face is their ability to navigate through confined or cluttered spaces. To address this issue, researchers at Flinders University have drawn inspiration from the animal kingdom to develop sensory ‘whiskers’ that could revolutionize
The integration of small synthetic molecules inside protein crystals has opened up a new realm of possibilities for studying intermediate compounds formed during chemical reactions. This game-changing technique has been highlighted by scientists from Tokyo Tech, who successfully visualized reaction dynamics and rapid structural changes occurring within reaction centers immobilized inside protein crystals. This groundbreaking
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have shown great promise in the field of display technology, with the potential to deliver high-quality images and energy-efficient performance. One of the key factors in achieving optimal OLED performance is the development of materials with narrow electroluminescence (EL) spectra. In this context, multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) materials have
Recent research has brought to light a significant correlation between autism and the composition of the gut microbiome. This study, conducted by researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, delved deep into not only the bacteria present in the digestive tract but also explored the roles of fungi, archaea, and viruses in relation to
The polar regions are experiencing accelerated rates of warming compared to lower latitudes, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reporting a substantial increase in air temperature over Arctic land masses during the 20th century. This phenomenon, known as “polar amplification,” poses significant challenges not only for the organisms inhabiting polar regions but also for
As climate change continues to progress, there are concerns about the impact it will have on the ocean’s overturning circulation. Scientists have predicted that this circulation will weaken significantly, leading to a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide pulled from the atmosphere. However, a slower circulation may also mean less carbon is dredged up
In recent years, the field of artificial intelligence has made remarkable progress in developing brain-like systems capable of performing complex tasks through machine learning. However, the journey to build and scale up such systems is not without challenges. One of the key tradeoffs faced by scientists is the balance between computational power, speed, and accuracy
In recent groundbreaking research conducted by Physician scientist Brian Feldman and molecular biologist Liang Li from the University of California, San Francisco, a remarkable discovery has been made regarding the potential of white fat cells in the human body. Through a series of experiments on human cell cultures and mice engineered with a gene switch,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common gram-negative bacterium, is often overlooked despite its potential to wreak havoc on our health. While many of us encounter this microbe without consequence, it has the ability to exploit vulnerabilities in our defenses, leading to severe infections. This deceptive nature has rightfully earned it a spot on the World Health Organization’s