Simulation sheds light on Earth"s magnetic field generation while advancing neuromorphic computing
How does the Earth generate its magnetic field? While the basic mechanisms seem to be understood, many details remain unresolved. A team of researchers from the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Sa.....»»
Biodegradable polymers show promise for nutrient encapsulation and replacing microbeads in beauty products
Microplastics are an environmental hazard found nearly everywhere on Earth, released by the breakdown of tires, clothing, and plastic packaging. Another significant source of microplastics is tiny beads that are added to some cleansers, cosmetics, an.....»»
Two European satellites launch on mission to blot out the Sun—for science
This will all happen nearly 40,000 miles above the Earth, so you won't need your eclipse glasses. Two spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency launched on top of an India.....»»
3D scans of giant hailstones reveal surprising discoveries that could help predict future storms
Hailstones are formed during thunderstorms, when raindrops are propelled into very cold parts of a cloud, where they freeze. Once the particles are heavy enough, gravity pulls them back towards Earth. As they plummet, they grow into hailstones, which.....»»
Nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy fixes major cause of stillbirth and premature birth in guinea pig model
The life of billions of people inhabiting Earth is owed to a temporary organ that supported and nourished them in a mother's womb. The placenta, or afterbirth, is considered sacred by some cultures, its pivotal role in pregnancy recognized as far bac.....»»
Experiments provide evidence that interaction of light with a hydrocarbon molecule produces strained molecular rings
When molecules interact with ultraviolet (UV) light, they can change shape quickly, producing strain—stress in a molecule's chemical structure due to an increase in the molecule's internal energy. These processes typically take just tens of picosec.....»»
Citizen scientist data help uncover the mysteries of a blue low-latitude aurora
Colorful auroras appeared around Japan's Honshu and Hokkaido islands on May 11, 2024, sparked by an intense magnetic storm. Usually, auroras observed at low latitudes appear red due to the emission of oxygen atoms. But on this day, a salmon pink auro.....»»
Study: Warming has accelerated due to the Earth absorbing more sunlight
If it's a trend, then future warming will be at the high end of estimates. 2023 was always going to be a hot year, given that warmer El Niño conditions were superimposed on the l.....»»
Discovery of key protein complex shows evolution and adaptability of photosynthetic organisms
A team of researchers has revealed the structure of a modified and evolved version of Photosystem I (PS I), a key protein complex used by plants and cyanobacteria to convert sunlight into chemical energy. This discovery sheds light on the evolution a.....»»
Not too warm and not too cold—finding the Goldilocks Zone of the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the largest living coral reef system on Earth, about 300 times larger than the next largest reef, found off the coast of Belize. This unique UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a wide variety of.....»»
Researchers reveal the mechanism of runaway electron generation in tokamak fusion reactors
A research team has clarified the mechanism behind the generation of runaway electrons during the startup phase of a tokamak fusion reactor. The paper, "Binary Nature of Collisions Facilitates Runaway Electron Generation in Weakly Ionized Plasmas," w.....»»
A rare Venus solar transit helps unravel exoplanet atmospheres
In the next decade, researchers will start probing the atmosphere of planets as small as Earth and Venus orbiting nearby stars. But although these two solar system planets are similar in size and bulk density—so that some call them "twins"—their.....»»
Preparing for Q-day: The essential role of cloud migration in securing enterprise data
As the era of quantum computing draws closer, businesses face a new and unprecedented threat to data security: “Q-day.” This looming turning point—when quantum machines can break traditional encryption with ease—has the potential to u.....»»
The Amazon rainforest as a cloud machine: How thunderstorms and plant transpiration produce condensation nuclei
The rainforest in the Amazon basin transpires vast amounts of gaseous isoprene. Until now, it was assumed that this molecule is not transported far up into the atmosphere, as it rapidly declines when exposed to light conditions. The CAFE-Brazil measu.....»»
A path towards applying topology in quantum computing
Can insights from topology—the study of the properties of 3D objects that persist when an object is stretched or compressed—be applied in the field of quantum information processing? Juan Lin, Shou-Bang Yang, Fan Wu, and Zhen-Biao Yang, researche.....»»
Unique microbial communities discovered beneath frozen surface of Antarctica"s Lake Enigma
An international team of polar researchers has found several types of microbiota living in the water below the frozen surface of Antarctica's Lake Enigma. In their study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, group members vent.....»»
Google’s DeepMind tackles weather forecasting, with great performance
Needs just eight minutes on one processor to do a single 15-day forecast. By some measures, AI systems are now competitive with traditional computing methods for generating weathe.....»»
Isotope analysis reveals mammoth as key food source for ancient Americans
Scientists have uncovered the first direct evidence that ancient Americans relied primarily on mammoth and other large animals for food. Their research sheds new light on both the rapid expansion of humans throughout the Americas and the extinction o.....»»
Warming oceans are changing marine habitats. A new study explores the impact on thousands of species
Every year, human activities release billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the Sun, making the Earth warmer than it would be without them. Over 90% of the extra heat from greenhouse gases gets absorbed b.....»»
Webb finds new galaxies in Spiderweb protocluster field
Using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, an international team of astronomers have found new galaxies in the Spiderweb protocluster. Their characteristics shed light on the growth of galaxies in these large cosmic cities, with the finding t.....»»
Where to watch the 2024 Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center
The country's most iconic Christmas tree will light up the New York City sky. Find out how to watch the 2024 Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center......»»