A recent study observing wild chimpanzees over a period of more than 10 years revealed that when food gets scarcer, the adults put play aside and focus on survival, while mother chimps continue to be their children’s primary playmate — suggesting their indispensable role to foster their young’s physical and social development. A recent study …
Chimp moms play with their offspring through good times and bad Read More »
Inspired by the classic drinking bird toy, scientists have developed an engine that efficiently converts energy from water evaporation into electricity to power small electronics. The device produces energy outputs exceeding 100 volts — much higher than other techniques that generate electricity from water — and can operate for several days using only 100 milliliters …
A team of engineers has proven that their analog computing device, called a memristor, can complete complex, scientific computing tasks while bypassing the limitations of digital computing. A team of engineers has proven that their analog computing device, called a memristor, can complete complex, scientific computing tasks while bypassing the limitations of digital computing. A team …
New study shows analog computing can solve complex equations and use far less energy Read More »
Electrical engineers have determined the theoretical fundamental limit for how much electromagnetic energy a transparent material with a given thickness can absorb. The finding will help engineers optimize devices designed to block certain frequencies of radiation while allowing others to pass through, for applications such as stealth or wireless communications. Electrical engineers have determined the …
Researchers prove fundamental limits of electromagnetic energy absorption Read More »
Researchers have theoretically linked ignition and deflagration in a combustion system, unlocking new configurations for stable, efficient combustion engines due to the possible existence of any number of steady-state solutions. Researchers have theoretically linked ignition and deflagration in a combustion system, unlocking new configurations for stable, efficient combustion engines due to the possible existence of …
A theory linking ignition with flame provides roadmap to better combustion engines Read More »
Automated insulin dosing systems combine low-cost blood-glucose monitors with insulin pumps that use precision dosing to continuously regulate blood-sugar and hold it steady. Synthetic biologists have found a way to piggyback on the technology and make it universally applicable for the precision dosing of virtually any drug. Automated insulin dosing systems combine low-cost blood-glucose monitors …
Breakthrough could make automated dosing systems universal Read More »
Researchers have discovered a new class of plasma oscillations — the back-and-forth, wave-like movement of electrons and ions. The research paves the way for improved particle accelerators and commercial fusion energy. Researchers have discovered a new class of plasma oscillations — the back-and-forth, wave-like movement of electrons and ions. The research paves the way for …
Plasma oscillations propel breakthroughs in fusion energy Read More »
Following injury, plants release terpenoids to enhance their defenses. Researchers studying terpenoid-enriched essential oils (EOs) have found that rose EO (REO) can stimulate defense genes in tomato leaves. Furthermore, REO attracts herbivores that protect the plant from the moth species, Spodoptera litura, and Tetranychus urticae, a mite pest. This suggests that applying REO could be …
Rose essential oil: A safe pesticide for organic agriculture Read More »
A new process for microscale 3D printing creates particles of nearly any shape for applications in medicine, manufacturing, research and more — at the pace of up to 1 million particles a day. A new process for microscale 3D printing creates particles of nearly any shape for applications in medicine, manufacturing, research and more — …
At first glance, Rabih Al-Kaysi’s molecular motors look like the microscopic worms you’d see in a drop of pond water. But these wriggling ribbons are not alive; they’re made from crystallized molecules that perform coordinated movements when exposed to light. With continued development, these tiny machines could be used as drug-delivery robots or engineered into …
Molecular crystal motors move like microbes when exposed to light Read More »