Deep science: AI is in the air, water, soil and steel
This column aims to collect some of the most relevant recent discoveries and papers — particularly in but not limited to artificial intelligence — and explain why they matter. Research papers come out far too rapidly for anyone to read.....»»
Geologists discover mysterious subduction zone beneath Pacific, reshaping understanding of Earth"s interior
University of Maryland scientists uncovered evidence of an ancient seafloor that sank deep into Earth during the age of dinosaurs, challenging existing theories about Earth's interior structure. Located in the East Pacific Rise (a tectonic plate boun.....»»
This smart water bottle is more useful than I expected
The Water.io smart water isn't ideal for everyone, but it packs in just enough smarts to earn a spot in my home......»»
Addressing global water security challenges: New study reveals investment opportunities and readiness levels
Water scarcity, pollution, and the burden of waterborne diseases are urgent issues threatening global health and security. A recently published study in the journal Global Environmental Change highlights the pressing need for innovative economic stra.....»»
Machine learning accelerates discovery of high-temperature alloys
In a study recently published in Engineering, scientists from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Guangdong Ocean University, and AiMaterials Research LLC have demonstrated a novel method to accelerate the discovery of refractory high-e.....»»
Ryugu samples call into question previous ideas about the formation of carbon-rich asteroids
Asteroid Ryugu possibly did not travel as far from its place of origin to its current near-Earth orbit as previously assumed. New research published in the journal Science Advances suggests that Ryugu was formed near Jupiter......»»
High-energy-density cubic gauche nitrogen successfully synthesized at atmospheric pressure
A research group led by Prof. Wang Xianlong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully synthesized high-energy-density materials cubic gauche nitrogen (cg-N) at atmospheric pressure by treating.....»»
The biological marvels of the seabed are being mined to create commercial products—here are the risks
Thousands of genes from deep-sea marine life are being used to create new commercial products ranging from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. Genes are segments of DNA that provide instructions for making other molecules that are essential for the structu.....»»
Study suggests moon may have been captured from space rather than formed from collision particles
Over six missions to the moon, from 1969 to 1972, Apollo astronauts collected more than 800 pounds of lunar rock and soil. Chemical and isotopic analysis of that material showed that it was similar to the rock and soil on Earth: calcium-rich, basalti.....»»
Water flux recovers asynchronously after snow damage in subtropical forest, study shows
Forests play a crucial role in the global water cycle. However, only a few studies have investigated post-damage radiative forcing of evapotranspiration and its underlying processes in forests......»»
Some people insist the Tijuana River is poisoning them: Officials disagree
The Tijuana River should not be flowing this time of year. But throughout the dry season, it has—delivering millions of gallons a day of an unnatural mix of water, neon green sewage and industrial waste from Tijuana through the city of Imperial Bea.....»»
NASA"s Artemis science instrument gets tested in moon-like sandbox
On Sept. 9 and 10, scientists and engineers tested NASA's LEMS (Lunar Environment Monitoring Station) instrument suite in a "sandbox" of simulated moon regolith at the Florida Space Institute's Exolith Lab at the University of Central Florida in Orla.....»»
The unexpected role of magnetic microbes in deep-sea mining
Polymetallic nodules are potato-sized formations on the ocean floor that are rich in minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Their concentration of rare, economically important minerals has made the nodules the focus of controversial deep-sea.....»»
New method enables noninvasive plant magnetic resonance imaging
The "omics" technologies—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—are at the forefront of discovery in modern plant science and systems biology. In contrast to the rather static genome, however, the metabolome and the products meas.....»»
Presence of bacteria in soil makes flowers more attractive to pollinators, study shows
Bacteria that live in soil and help roots fix nitrogen can boost certain plants' capacity to reproduce, according to an article published in the American Journal of Botany describing a study of this mechanism in Chamaecrista latistipula, a legume bel.....»»
First lunar farside samples from Chang"e-6 mission analyzed
A team of Chinese scientists has studied the first lunar farside samples brought back by the Chang'e-6 mission. The findings mark a significant milestone in lunar exploration science and technical exploration capability. The study was published in Na.....»»
Team debunks research showing Facebook"s news-feed algorithm curbs election misinformation
An interdisciplinary team of researchers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst have published work in the journal Science calling into question the conclusions of a widely reported study—published in Science in 2023—finding the social pl.....»»
New MIT protocol protects sensitive data during cloud-based computation
Deep-learning models have found applications across various industries, from healthcare diagnostics to financial forecasting. However, their high computational demands often require powerful cloud-based servers. This dependency on cloud computing rai.....»»
Cretaceous fireflies reveal early evolution of insect bioluminescence
Bioluminescence, the ability of living organisms to emit light, is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various life forms, including deep-sea fish, glowing mushrooms, and fireflies. Fireflies have long captivated people with their enchanting light d.....»»
Security protocol leverages quantum mechanics to shield data from attackers during cloud-based computation
Deep-learning models are being used in many fields, from health care diagnostics to financial forecasting. However, these models are so computationally intensive that they require the use of powerful cloud-based servers......»»
Who lives in the rainforest treetops? DNA-collecting drone provides insights
Squinting into the treetops won't reveal the tiny organisms up there. But these creatures leave clues, in the form of DNA, on the leaves and branches. Now, researchers report in Environmental Science & Technology that they have developed a way to col.....»»