Bitter substances spoil the appetite of oak moth caterpillars
Trees have a huge arsenal of ways to keep the pests that attack them under control. In the course of evolution, for example, some English oaks (Quercus robur) have developed the ability to release volatile signaling substances when attacked by oak mo.....»»
Researchers suggest very short-lived halogens partially to blame for ozone depletion over the tropics
An international team of climate scientists has used climate models to show that some very short-lived substances are partially to blame for ozone depletion over the tropics. In their paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change, the group de.....»»
How a better understanding of mercury transformation can make ecosystems safer
A new study at Umeå University provides insight into how mercury transforms into its more toxic form, methylmercury, with the help of small sulfur-containing substances known as thiols......»»
The neurons that make you feel hangry
Brain area that stimulates appetite could be a target for eating-disorder therapies. Enlarge (credit: warrenrandalcarr via Getty Images) Maybe it starts with a low-energy feeling, or maybe you’re getting a little crank.....»»
After years of bashing OLED, Samsung now set to buy panels from LG
An unconfirmed report from Reuters claims that bitter rivals, LG and Samsung, have inked a deal where LG will supply 77- and 83-inch OLED TV panels to Samsung......»»
Understanding crop pest evolution may boost biocontrol
The Egyptian cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) is a pest species in France. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Basin as well as in Africa and the Middle East. Moth larvae are extremely polyphagous and cause damage to diverse crop species.....»»
Communities of color disproportionately exposed to PFAS pollution in drinking water
People who live in communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents are more likely to be exposed to harmful levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their water supplies than people living in other communitie.....»»
EPA"s new PFAS rules don"t account for major source of drinking water contamination
Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed maximum allowable levels in drinking water for six PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—so-called forever chemicals. But the draft standards do not account for half of the PFA.....»»
iPhone 14 Pro versus Samsung S23 Ultra camera battle whets appetite for iPhone 15 Pro
An iPhone 14 Pro versus Samsung S23 Ultra camera battle concludes that there’s no clear winner, with the choice depending on the type of photos you want to take. But given that it was a close-run thing mostly because of Samsung’s 10x telephoto l.....»»
Enhancing thermoelectricity with guided impurity position control
Thermoelectric materials, substances that convert temperature difference into electricity, find a multitude of applications involving the conversion of waste heat into useful electrical energy. However, they often need to rely on heavy rare earth ele.....»»
The best Mother’s Day tech deals you can shop today
It's time to spoil your mother with some great tech gifts. Here are some of our favorite devices currently on sale. These are the best Mother's Day tech deals......»»
Former EPA and NIEHS directors urge overhaul of WHO"s draft PFAS drinking water guidance
The World Health Organization's draft drinking water guidance for the two most well-studied per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exhibit a "striking and inappropriate disregard of the best available science," according to former directors of th.....»»
New membrane design allows selective and near-frictionless ion transport
Ion-transport membranes are vital components of clean-energy technologies, such as CO2 electrolyzers, water electrolyzers, fuel cells, redox flow batteries and ion-capture electrodialysis. These membranes must screen out specific substances to preven.....»»
Finding a bioindicator for the occurrence of PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are considered to be forever chemicals. Many are toxic; others are highly mobile or accumulate in the food chain. However, all are extremely persistent and are spread throughout the environment. The contamin.....»»
Treating polluted water with nanofiber membranes
When oil contaminates water, it creates a film that reduces oxygen levels and introduces toxic substances. This can lead to the death of aquatic plants and animals, contaminate soil, and ultimately threaten human health......»»
Simulations with a machine learning model predict a new phase of solid hydrogen
Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, is found everywhere from the dust filling most of outer space to the cores of stars to many substances here on Earth. This would be reason enough to study hydrogen, but its individual atoms are als.....»»
Researchers report potential new treatment for leaky gut using milk-derived extracellular vesicles
The intestinal or gut barrier is crucial for nutrient absorption and preventing harmful substances from leaking into the blood stream. Under diseased conditions, the disruption of the gut barrier may increase its permeability and result in a "leaky g.....»»
Computer simulations deepen our understanding of how drugs get into the blood
There is a need for new drugs. For example, many of the antibiotics that we have been using for a long time are becoming less effective. Chemists and pharmaceutical scientists are frantically searching for new active substances, especially those that.....»»
Nanotubes as optical stopwatch for the detection of neurotransmitters
Carbon nanotubes not only shine brighter in the presence of dopamine, but also for longer. The time period of the shining serves as a new parameter to detect biological messenger substances......»»
A team of physicists watches electrons getting dressed with light
Since ancient times, mankind has tried to tailor materials by combining different substances. Imagine a world where materials properties could be flexibly changed on demand by simply shining light onto them. A group of physicists from across Europe h.....»»
Researchers find the key to overcome limits in X-ray microscopy
X-ray microscopes have the advantage of penetrating most substances, so internal organs and skeletons can be observed non-invasively through chest X-rays or CT scans. Recently, studies to increase the resolution of X-ray imaging technology are being.....»»