264 articles from MONDAY 14.6.2021
Near-field routing of hyperbolic metamaterials
Near-field light is invisible light at the subwavelength scale. Harnessed for a variety of practical applications, such as wireless power transfer, near-field light has an increasingly significant role in the development of miniature on-chip photonic devices. Controlling the direction of near-field light propagation has been an ongoing challenge that is of fundamental interest in photonics physics...
Insulators turn up the heat on quantum bits
Physicists have long suspected that dielectric materials may significantly disrupt ion-trap quantum computers. Now, researchers led by Tracy Northup have developed a new method to quantify this source of error for the first time. For the future operation of quantum computers with very many quantum bits, such noise sources need to be eliminated already during the design process if possible.
Free and nutritious school lunches help create richer and healthier adults
Universal school lunch programs make students healthier, and increase their lifetime income by 3%, according to a unique study from Lund University in Sweden published in The Review of Economic Studies.
Scientists expose the cold heart of landfalling hurricanes
Hurricanes are powerful weather events born in the open sea. Fueled by moisture from the warm ocean, hurricanes can intensify in strength, move vast distances across the water, and ultimately unleash their destruction upon land. But what happens to hurricanes after they've made landfall remains an open question.
Lab peers inside 2D crystal synthesis
Scientific studies describing the most basic processes often have the greatest impact in the long run. A new work by Rice University engineers could be one such, and it's a gas, gas, gas for nanomaterials.
Shrinking to survive: Bacteria adapt to a lifestyle in flux
Summer picnics and barbecues are only a few weeks away. As excited as you are to indulge this summer, Escherichia coli bacteria are eager to feast on the all-you-can-eat buffet they are about to experience in your gut.
A step closer to a hydrogen-fueled economy using an efficient anode for water splitting
In the recent past, there has been a paradigm shift towards renewable sources of energy in order to address the concerns pertaining to environmental degradation and dwindling fossil fuels. A variety of alternative green energy sources such as solar, wind, hydrothermal, tidal, etc., have been gaining attention to reduce global carbon footprints. One of the key challenges with these energy...
The path toward discovering a new species of Cicada
The 17-year cicadas emerging dramatically by the billions in 15 U.S. states from Georgia to New York and west to Illinois are making quite a racket—a uniquely North American phenomenon—but thousands of other cicada species on the planet also spend most of their lives underground, many of them emerging below the radar of human perception. Because most cicada species don't emerge simultaneously...
Flinders Ranges virtual tourists to be 'teleported' into deep past
Sir David Attenborough has named it one of his favorite places on Earth, and the world will soon see why via an immersive virtual tour of the iconic Flinders Ranges.
Boundary of heliosphere mapped for the first time
For the first time, the boundary of the heliosphere has been mapped, giving scientists a better understanding of how solar and interstellar winds interact.
Consumers will pay more for ready-to-eat meals made with fewer ingredients
Most consumers care about the technology and the ingredients used to make their microwavable dinners and other shelf ready meals, according to a new study led by Washington State University researchers. The study found that many consumers are willing to pay a premium for ready-to-eat meals with a 'clean label' showing few ingredients.
England’s Covid lockdown lifting: is a four-week delay enough?
Analysis: Even a short pause is expected to reduce the number of people going to hospital as more people are vaccinatedPM announces delay to lockdown easingWhat we know about the delayThe roadmap out of lockdown – England’s strategy to return to a life more normal – was heavy on dates from the start. The first three steps, in March, April and May, passed so smoothly that a crucial point was...
Scientists expose the cold heart of landfalling hurricanes
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Fearsome and powerful, hurricanes can wreak massive destruction when they hit land. But while most hurricanes then weaken, others can strengthen again into extratropical cyclones and caused further damage inland. Now, researchers have used simulations to uncover the presence of a cold core inside decaying hurricanes - an unexpected discovery that could help forecasters predict the level of extreme...
Peering inside 2D crystal synthesis
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Theorists simulate the molecular transitions that take place inside a furnace to create 2D molybdenum disulfide, a semiconductor that could find a home in next-generation electronics.
What does it take to discover a new species of cicada?
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
An observation of an insect exoskeleton on a potted plant may lead to the identification of a new species of cicada.
Huge prehistoric croc 'river boss' prowled waterways
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
A new species of large prehistoric croc that roamed southeast Queensland's waterways millions of years ago has been documented.
Brain capillary structures show a correlation with their neuron structures
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Researchers performed microtomography experiments the BL20XU beamline of the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility and found that brain capillary structures show a correlation with their neuron structures.
Stents inspired by paper-cutting art can deliver drugs to the GI tract
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Inspired by kirigami, the Japanese art of folding and cutting paper, engineers have designed a new type of stent that could be used to deliver drugs to the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, or other tubular organs in the body.
Touchless technology could enable early detection and treatment of eye diseases that cause blindness
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
A new non-contact laser imaging system developed by engineering researchers, is designed to detect telltale signs of major blinding diseases in retinal blood and tissue that typically go unseen until it is too late.
Potential new treatment target for Alzheimer's disease
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
A new study not only sheds light on how the APOE4 gene may cause some of the pathologies associated with Alzheimer's disease, but also suggests a new treatment target that might help people who carry the APOE4 gene in early and late stages of the disease. Researchers found that APOE4 is associated with the activation of an inflammatory protein that causes a breakdown in the blood-brain barrier...
A new model of Alzheimer's progression
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Scientists explore how protein and signaling pathways change in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Their work creates a new model of disease progression, taking advantage of the heterogeneity that is inherent to human studies.
One step towards a daily-use deep UV light source for sterilization and disinfection
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Researchers invented a more efficient device for doubling the frequency of incoming light by combining period reflectors inside a microcavity containing gallium nitride. This work may help in the construction of a deep UV light source with bactericidal effect that is both safe and practical.
Too many forewing eyespots are bad for butterflies
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
Biologists sought to understand the impact of uneven distribution of eyespots on butterflies. The team found that the location of these eyespots is key to their protective function.
Hair follicles heal blisters at personal cost
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:12
A team of scientists has shown that the healing of skin blisters is driven by hair follicle stem cells, which delay their own development in the process.
Easy, inexpensive, efficient: Researchers improve efficacy of new malaria drug
- ScienceDaily
- 21/6/14 19:11
Artemisone is a promising substance in the fight against malaria. However, the active ingredient has yet to be used due its instability and because it is not easily absorbed by the body. A team has now pushed this a bit further. They have developed a very simple method for preparing the active ingredient that makes it easier to administer and store.