Memory-induced Magnus effect: Looking at the unexpected curveball in miniature
Whether you are familiar with the term "Magnus effect" or not, you have certainly seen it in action. It is when a spinning ball—for instance in football, cricket or baseball—bends away from its expected trajectory, often to the surprise of the op.....»»
Physics team uncovers a quantum Mpemba effect with a host of "cool" implications
Initially investigating out of pure curiosity, researchers have made a discovery that bridges the gap between Aristotle's observations two millennia ago and modern-day understanding, while opening the door to a whole host of "cool"—and "cooling"—.....»»
Study identifies compounds that extend longevity of Japanese morning glory flowers
The longevity of plant flowers is controlled by genetically programmed mechanisms. After a certain amount of time after flowering, the expression of genes associated with programmed cell death is induced and cellular components such as proteins and n.....»»
Engineers create a chip-based tractor beam for biological particles
MIT researchers have developed a miniature, chip-based "tractor beam," like the one that captures the Millennium Falcon in the film "Star Wars," that could someday help biologists and clinicians study DNA, classify cells, and investigate the mechanis.....»»
Quantum research paves the way toward efficient, ultra-high-density optical memory storage
As our digital world generates massive amounts of data—more than 2 quintillion bytes of new content each day—yesterday's storage technologies are quickly reaching their limits. Optical memory devices, which use light to read and write data, offer.....»»
How climate change is undermining Indigenous knowledge and livelihoods in Central America
Driven by extreme heat and drought, some of the worst wildfires in living memory raged across Mexico and Central America through April and May 2024......»»
Seven years on, study reveals #MeToo"s unexpected impact on consumer behavior
Seven years after actor Alyssa Milano's tweet launched the #MeToo movement into the global consciousness, attitudes towards sexual harassment and assault have shifted in many countries. A new study shows that the movement's impact doesn't stop there......»»
Increased sea surface cooling from hurricanes observed along the Southeast Coast of the United States in recent decades
Utilizing satellite observations and ocean reanalysis datasets, researchers have analyzed the change in sea surface cooling induced by hurricanes and the corresponding ocean-atmosphere environment along the Gulf and Southeast coastal regions of the U.....»»
CubeSats, the tiniest of satellites, are changing the way we explore the solar system
Most CubeSats weigh less than a bowling ball, and some are small enough to hold in your hand. But the impact these instruments are having on space exploration is gigantic. CubeSats—miniature, agile and cheap satellites—are revolutionizing how sci.....»»
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.....»»
Scientists create model of holographic dark energy that is no longer unstable
In 1998, scientists discovered that our universe expands with acceleration, and in order to explain this effect, the concept of dark matter was introduced. This is a special type of energy that fills up all of existing space-time but is impossible to.....»»
The number of Android memory safety vulnerabilities has tumbled, and here’s why
Google’s decision to write new code into Android’s codebase in Rust, a memory-safe programming language, has resulted in a significant drop in memory safety vulnerabilities, despite old code (written in C/C++) not having been rewritten. T.....»»
Semimetal-induced covalency achieves high-efficiency electrocatalysis for platinum intermetallic compounds
Compared with other types of batteries, proton exchange membrane fuel cells have the advantages of high discharge power and no pollution, which is also an important carrier for hydrogen energy conversion and utilization. Platinum intermetallic compou.....»»
Better together: Gut microbiome communities found to have enhanced resilience to drugs
Many human medications can directly inhibit the growth and alter the function of the bacteria that constitute our gut microbiome. EMBL Heidelberg researchers have now discovered that this effect is reduced when bacteria form communities......»»
US-based Kaspersky users startled by unexpected UltraAV installation
A poorly executed “handover” of US-based Kaspersky customers has led some users to panic when software named UltraAV popped up on their computers without any action on their part. What happened? Earlier this year, for national security re.....»»
Nothing’s cool Ear Open earbuds have an unexpected rival
I've listened to Nothing's new Ear Open earbuds. And while I've been impressed, I've also wondered why I wasn't using my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses instead......»»
Graphene at 20: Still no sign of the promised space elevator, but the material is quietly changing the world
Twenty years ago this October, two physicists at the University of Manchester, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, published a groundbreaking paper on the "electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films." Their work described the extraordinar.....»»
What happens to a person when they"re stuck in space?
What was supposed to be a weeklong test flight in space has turned into a months-long stay for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. While the unexpected delays from their mission may not have any negative side effects on the future of space ex.....»»
New physics needed? Experts suggest possibility of updating fundamental physics concepts
An unexpected finding about how our universe formed is again raising the question: do we need new physics? The answer could fundamentally change what physics students are taught in classes around the world......»»
High-resolution images of the sun show how flares impact the solar atmosphere
Solar flares are a fascinating thing and have a profound effect on what astronomers refer to as "space weather." These events vary with the sun's 11-year solar cycle, releasing immense amounts of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum (from ex.....»»
Giant panda skin cells transformed into stem cells to help ensure their survival
A team of biologists in China has reprogrammed skin cells from giant pandas into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), opening the door to creating primordial germ cells that could serve as precursors to sperm and egg cells......»»