Room-temperature defluorination method uses light to clean up forever chemicals
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nicknamed "forever chemicals," pose a growing environmental and health threat. Since the invention of Teflon in 1938, PFAS and perfluorinated polymers or PFs have been widely used for their exceptional stability and.....»»
Global temperature analysis reveals deep ocean marine heat waves are underreported
While marine heat waves (MHWs) have been studied at the sea surface for more than a decade, new research published today in Nature has found 80% of MHWs below 100 meters are independent of surface events, highlighting a previously overlooked aspect o.....»»
Trace gas measurements could advance carbon cycle predictions
A novel method for estimating the rate of photosynthesis from land plants reveals that satellite observations—the current gold standard for quantifying terrestrial carbon uptake—underestimate this important metric, a result that could inform and.....»»
Janus-like metasurface technology shows different optical responses according to the direction of light
Metasurface technology is an advanced optical technology that is thinner, lighter, and more capable of precisely controlling light through nanometer-sized artificial structures than conventional technologies. KAIST researchers have overcome the limit.....»»
In a fusion device plasma, a steep ion temperature gradient slows the growth of magnetic islands
Future fusion power plants will require good plasma confinement to sustain reactions and generate energy. One way to contain plasma for fusion reactions is to use a tokamak, a device that applies magnetic fields to "bottle" plasma. However, magnetic.....»»
Novel photocatalyst achieves 98% degradation efficiency of BPA under visible light
Photocatalysts can effectively utilize solar energy to degrade organic pollutants, presenting significant application potential in water treatment. However, the ultrafast recombination of photogenerated carriers has severely limited the performance o.....»»
New venomous reptile species from the Late Triassic unearthed in Arizona
A new species of small, venomous reptile, Microzemiotes sonselaensis, has been discovered in the Late Triassic Chinle Formation in northeastern Arizona. The findings, recently published in PeerJ, shed new light on the evolution of venomous feeding st.....»»
Global study shows causes for the dominance of woody plants in drylands
Precipitation, temperature, and grazing have the greatest influence on whether woody or herbaceous species grow in dryland areas. This has been shown by a large global study that includes Potsdam researchers......»»
Microtubule formation mechanism sheds light on how cells build their internal skeleton
Inside every cell, a network of tiny filaments, called the microtubule cytoskeleton, helps maintain the cell's shape, allows it to divide, and transports vital materials from one part of the cell to another. The filaments that form this network, term.....»»
Scientists apply ancient construction methods to help fabricate modern microparticles
Inspired by the ancient East Asian method of constructing wooden structures using a "tongue and groove" technique, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) scientists have developed a new approach to fabricating advanced ceramic mi.....»»
El Niño Southern Oscillation caused spike in 2023 temperatures, study finds
A study by scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science identified El Niño–Southern Oscillation as the primary cause of the spike in global surface temperature in 2023, not human-induced climate.....»»
New temperature conditions found in two thirds of key tropical forests
Two thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are experiencing new temperature conditions as our climate changes, research shows......»»
New light-induced material shows powerful potential for quantum applications
A class of material called perovskites, which have special electronic bonding with many applications, could be useful for quantum sensing......»»
Light broadens the scope of alkene synthesis
Chemists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a straightforward method to convert common chemicals like carboxylic acids, alcohols, and alkanes directly into valuable alkenes......»»
3D printing method could improve micro energy storage
One key to making portable devices more compact and energy efficient lies in the precise nanoscale form of energy-storing capacitors. Researchers in Sweden report they've cracked the challenge with a unique 3D printing method......»»
New technologies could help destroy persistent "forever chemicals"
Scientists and engineers are developing new ways to destroy per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) efficiently and sustainably. This class of chemicals is known as "forever chemicals" because PFAS persist and accumulate in the environment, anima.....»»
Giant prehistoric elephant skull from India belongs to mysterious extinct species
The giant fossil skull of an extinct elephant, discovered in northern India's Kashmir Valley in 2000, sheds light on a poorly known episode in elephant evolutionary history......»»
Neva review: gorgeous 2D platformer still has room to grow
Neva packs a lot of emotion and splendor into a small, and at times overly light, 2D platformer......»»
LIGO team enhances gravitational wave detection with squeezed light
A team of researchers at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), in the U.S., has developed what they describe as a squeezed light system to improve detection sensitivity......»»
Hubble captures spiral galaxy NGC 5248
The sparkling scene depicted in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is of the spiral galaxy NGC 5248, located 42 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Boötes. It is also known as Caldwell 45. The Caldwell catalog holds visually.....»»
New insights into grain boundary kinetics challenge traditional views
Researchers from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), in collaboration with experts from local and overseas universities, have reshaped scientists' fundamental understanding of the kinetic processes in crystalline materials, throwing light on new.....»»