Engineers have developed a real-life Transformer that has the ‘brains’ to morph in midair, allowing the drone-like robot to smoothly roll away and begin its ground operations without pause. The increased agility and robustness of such robots could be particularly useful for commercial delivery systems and robotic explorers. ​Engineers have developed a real-life Transformer that …

Mid-air transformation helps flying, rolling robot to transition smoothly Read More »

A new method could soon unlock the vast repository of biological information held in the proteins of ancient soft tissues. The findings could open up a new era for palaeobiological discovery. ​A new method could soon unlock the vast repository of biological information held in the proteins of ancient soft tissues. The findings could open …

New method provides the key to accessing proteins in ancient human remains Read More »

The process of necrosis, a form of cell death, may represent one of the most promising ways to change the course of human aging, disease and even space travel, according to a new study. ​The process of necrosis, a form of cell death, may represent one of the most promising ways to change the course …

Could ‘pausing’ cell death be the final frontier in medicine on Earth and beyond? Read More »

Many policy discussions on AI safety regulation have focused on the need to establish regulatory ‘guardrails’ to protect the public from the risks of AI technology. Experts now argue that, instead of imposing guardrails, policymakers should demand ‘leashes.’ ​Many policy discussions on AI safety regulation have focused on the need to establish regulatory ‘guardrails’ to …

The future of AI regulation: Why leashes are better than guardrails Read More »

Researchers gave participants face tattoos that can track when their brain is working too hard. The study introduces a non-permanent wireless forehead e-tattoo that decodes brainwaves to measure mental strain without bulky headgear. This technology may help track the mental workload of workers like air traffic controllers and truck drivers, whose lapses in focus can …

Electronic tattoo gauges mental strain Read More »

Reducing travel speeds and using an intelligent queuing system at busy ports can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oceangoing container vessels by 16-24%, according to researchers. Not only would those relatively simple interventions reduce emissions from a major, direct source of greenhouse gases, the technology to implement these measures already exists. ​Reducing travel speeds …

A cheap and easy potential solution for lowering carbon emissions in maritime shipping Read More »

Materials scientists have succeeded in creating a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene. ​Materials scientists have succeeded in creating a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene. Materials scientists have succeeded in creating a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene. 

New research shows that the presence of solar panels in Colorado’s grasslands may reduce water stress, improve soil moisture levels and — particularly during dry years — increase plant growth by about 20% or more compared to open fields. ​New research shows that the presence of solar panels in Colorado’s grasslands may reduce water stress, …

Research shows how solar arrays can aid grasslands during drought Read More »

A series of studies sheds light on the origins and characteristics of intermediate-mass black holes. ​A series of studies sheds light on the origins and characteristics of intermediate-mass black holes. A series of studies sheds light on the origins and characteristics of intermediate-mass black holes. 

Researchers present new experimental and theoretical results for the bound electron g-factor in lithium-like tin which has a much higher nuclear charge than any previous measurement. The experimental accuracy reached a level of 0.5 parts per billion. Using an enhanced interelectronic QED method, the theoretical prediction for the g-factor reached a precision of 6 parts …

Listening to electrons talk Read More »