Fungi that break down hardwood trees can do the same with plastic, study shows
A team of plant and molecular biologists from the University of Kelaniya and the University of Peradeniya, both in Sri Lanka, reports that many types of fungi that break down hardwood trees can also break down polyethylene, a common kind of plastic......»»
Time is running out for a treaty to end plastic pollution—here"s why it matters
On March 2, 2022, delegates to the UN environment assembly adopted an ambitious resolution to develop the text of a new treaty by the end of 2024 to end plastic pollution. With 24 days of formal negotiation between almost 200 countries completed, spr.....»»
MacBook Pro M4 teardown shows a repairability rut for Apple laptops
Apple's M4 MacBook Pro has once again redrawn the lines for laptop performance, but the repairability situation hasn't improved, with one small exception......»»
Extending classical black hole inequalities into the quantum realm
A recent study in Physical Review Letters explores quantum effects on black hole thermodynamics and geometry, focusing on extending two classical inequalities into the quantum regime......»»
3 Netflix shows we can’t wait to see in December 2024
The three Netflix shows you need to watch in December 2024 include a spy show, a holiday-themed baking show, and a black comedy about the perfect home......»»
Gene regulation study reports surprising results: Extensive regions of DNA belong to multiple gene switches
Some sequences in the genome cause genes to be switched on or off. Until now, each of these gene switches, or so-called enhancers, was thought to have its own place on the DNA. Different enhancers are therefore separated from each other, even if they.....»»
In Patagonia, more snow could protect glaciers from melt—but only if greenhouse gas are curbed emissions soon
In an era of dwindling glaciers, Southern Patagonia has managed to hold on to a surprising amount of its ice. But, a new study in Scientific Reports from INSTAAR postdoc Matthias Troch suggests that this protective effect might be pushed up against i.....»»
Non-genetic reprogramming method to restore sweat gland function shows promise for burn victims
Sweat glands are vital for regulating body temperature, maintaining fluid balance, and supporting skin health. Yet, extensive skin injuries, such as burns, often result in the loss of these glands, leaving patients vulnerable to overheating, dehydrat.....»»
Building climate resilient cocoa farming in West Africa
Agroforestry systems, which integrate trees and shrubs into farming, are vital to achieving sustainable cocoa production in West Africa where 70% of the world cocoa is produced. Climate change induced drought means that it is ever more critical to ad.....»»
Peaches spread across North America through Indigenous networks, radiocarbon dating and document analysis show
Spanish explorers may have brought the first peach pits to North America, but Indigenous communities helped the ubiquitous summer fruit really take root, according to a study led by a researcher at Penn State......»»
This Samsung soundbar is usually $379 — today it’s under $200
Get immersed in your favorite movies, shows, and video games with the pulse-pounding Samsung HW-Q6CC, now on sale for $199 at Walmart......»»
Niagara fireball event leads to discovery of tiniest known asteroid
In an international study led by Western University and Lowell Observatory, scientists describe a pioneering, integrative approach for studying near-Earth asteroids based largely on a November 2022 fireball event that dropped meteorites in the Niagar.....»»
Study: Brilliant white male characters more believable, some viewers say
Brilliant characters often play key roles in movies and TV shows. However, when these characters are played by women and people of color, some audience members dismiss them as unrealistic, even if they portray real people and events, a recent study f.....»»
Image-processing method enhances visualization of electron microscope images in rubber materials
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have developed a new imaging method that clearly visualizes nanoscale structures within rubber materials. The study is published in the journal ACS Applied Nano Materials......»»
Proba-3 will use laser for millimeter precision in space
ESA's double-spacecraft precision formation flying mission, Proba-3, is due to be launched from India on 4 December. The spacecraft pair will employ a set of positioning technologies to keep formation in space and this image shows the most precise: a.....»»
Parasaurolophus pipes: Modeling the dinosaur"s crest to study its sound
Fossils might give a good image of what dinosaurs looked like, but they can also teach scientists what they sounded like. The Parasaurolophus is a duck-billed dinosaur with a unique crest that lived 70 million to 80 million years ago. It stood around.....»»
AI and genus-conditioned algorithms create precise simulation-ready models of 600,000 existing urban trees
The Irish philosopher George Berkely, best known for his theory of immaterialism, once famously mused, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" What about AI-generated trees? They probably wouldn't make a s.....»»
Ring around Tabby"s star
This illustration shows a hypothetical uneven ring of dust orbiting KIC 8462852, also known as Boyajian's Star or Tabby's Star. The star has experienced unusual dips in brightness over a matter of days, as well as much subtler but longer-term dimming.....»»
"Moment of truth" for world-first plastic pollution treaty
Plastic pollution litters our seas, our air and even our bodies, but negotiators face an uphill battle next week to agree on the world's first treaty aimed at ending the problem......»»
SpaceX image captures dramatic moment during latest Starship test
A newly released photo from SpaceX shows the dramatic moment when the upper-stage Starship separated as planned from the first-stage Super Heavy booster......»»
Upskilling: An interview with Steph Piper
What maker skills do you have? What maker skills would you like to acquire? Steph Piper has been thinking about upskilling, and inspired by video games, she began to identify sets of skills as tiles that form trees. She created an online repository.....»»