Chinese drone-submarine hybrid can dive underwater, take off again
From Superinnovators 17/01/24 Innovators from China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University unveiled the Nezha-F drone in April 2023 that can fly in the air then dive into water, navigate vertically underwater, then resurface and take off again. When underwater it retracts four propeller arms and goes into submarine mode, using a piston buoyancy adjustment system to […]
Mushrooms, coffee grounds and natural pineapple fibers: The future of eco-friendly materials
From Tsinghua University Press 17/01/24 This innovative study, spearheaded by Dr. Nattawut Boonyuen (https://scholar.google.co.th/citations?user=R_5ATcAAAAAJ&hl=en), a renowned mycologist from the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and Dr. Pitak Laoratanakul (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pitak-Laoratanakul) from the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), also at NSTDA, marks a […]
A tiny tattoo for a tabby
From Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo 17/01/24 If you’ve ever taken a car trip through a rural area, you might already know that livestock, including cows and sheep, can be individually tracked using decidedly old-fashioned methods, such as ear tags or even branding marks. By contrast, many tech-savvy pet owners have opted […]
Researchers use spinning metasurfaces to craft compact thermal imaging system
From Optica 17/01/24 Researchers have developed a new technology that uses meta-optical devices to perform thermal imaging. The approach provides richer information about imaged objects, which could broaden the use of thermal imaging in fields such as autonomous navigation, security, thermography, medical imaging and remote sensing. “Our method overcomes the challenges of traditional spectral thermal […]
‘Sudden death’ of quantum fluctuations defies current theories of superconductivity
From Princeton University 16/01/24 By Tom Garlinghouse for the Princeton University Department of Physics Princeton physicists have discovered an abrupt change in quantum behavior while experimenting with a three-atom-thin insulator that can be easily switched into a superconductor. The research promises to enhance our understanding of quantum physics in solids in general and also propel […]
Producing tears in a dish: researchers develop first model of human conjunctiva
From Hubrecht Institute 16/01/24 The Organoid group at the Hubrecht Institute produced the first organoid model of the human conjunctiva. These organoids mimic the function of the actual human conjunctiva, a tissue involved in tear production. Using their new model, the researchers discovered a new cell type in this tissue: tuft cells. The tuft cells […]
Palaeontology: New dinosaur species may be closest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex
From Springer Nature 15/01/24 A new species of tyrannosaur from southern North America that may the closest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex is described in a study published in Scientific Reports. Sebastian Dalman and colleagues identified the new species — which they have named Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis — by examining a fossilised partial skull, which was previously discovered in the Hall […]
Bikepack: Special harness allows you to carry your bike on your back
From Superinnovators 16/01/24 UK company Restrap (founded 2010) launched a special harness in 2023 that allows riders to switch from pedalling to hiking in seconds. The lightweight Hike a Bike Harnness worn on the back attaches to any bike, is made of waterproof TPU-coated nylon and features a padded, breathable shoulder section. It enables bikers […]
Synapses brought to the point
From Institute of Science and Technology Austria 15/01/24 Whether picking up a small object like a pen or coordinating different body parts, the cerebellum in the brain performs essential functions for controlling our movement. Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) investigated how a crucial set of synapses between neurons within it […]
A single-celled microbe is helping corals survive climate change, study finds
From University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science 15/01/24 A Single-Celled Microbe is Helping Corals Survive Climate Change, Study Finds New research highlights the role of microorganisms in protecting corals from heat-stress Researchers discovered for the first time a single-celled microbe that can help corals survive ocean-warming events like bleaching. The […]