The quest for finding sustainable alternatives to replace petroleum-based plastic films has gained momentum in recent years. In a remarkable breakthrough, researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that materials derived from crustaceans and seaweed can play a crucial role in creating next-generation packaging films. This pioneering research has focused on combining chitosan, a
Every December, stargazers and meteor enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of the Geminid meteor shower. Known as the best natural fireworks display of the year, this mesmerizing celestial event attracts people from all over the world. And this year, the Geminids promise to be even more special as they coincide with the new Moon, creating
Long commutes are a common inconvenience faced by many individuals around the world. However, recent research has shed light on the detrimental effects of extended travel times, particularly on mental health. In South Korea, where commuting times are among the longest globally, researchers have conducted a study to understand the correlation between long commutes and
Robots have the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, but in order for them to be truly effective, they need to possess the ability to perform complex motions and coordinate the movements of their individual limbs. To address this challenge, a team of researchers from Intel Labs, University College London (UCL), and VERSES
Since the release of the Pentagon’s 2021 report, the interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) has surged. NASA and the Pentagon have taken concrete steps in investigating these phenomena, sparking intrigue and raising questions about the potential existence of extraterrestrial life. But what if the UFO sightings are not mere
The field of optics has witnessed a significant breakthrough with the development of compact, visible wavelength achromats through the integration of 3D printing and porous silicon. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, under the guidance of esteemed professors Paul Braun, David Cahill, and Lynford Goddard, along with former graduate student Corey Richards, have successfully
The mystery surrounding the creation of heavy elements in the universe has long intrigued scientists. Recently, a team of astronomers led by Ian Roederer of the University of Michigan embarked on a groundbreaking study to shed light on this enigma. Their research focused on 42 stars within the Milky Way, and the findings have presented
EU member states and lawmakers have reached a significant milestone in regulating artificial intelligence (AI) with the adoption of the AI Act. After 36 hours of intense negotiations, a political deal has been sealed in Brussels, making the EU the first continent to establish clear rules for the use of AI. The AI Act is
RIKEN chemists have made a groundbreaking discovery with the development of a highly active catalyst that can synthesize drug molecules within the body. This new catalyst has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery methods by assembling drugs at specific target sites, minimizing side effects and maximizing effectiveness. Conventional drug delivery methods, such as injections or
The competition watchdog in Britain, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has recently announced that it is launching an investigation into the partnership between US tech giant Microsoft and artificial intelligence developer OpenAI. The CMA is looking into whether this partnership resembles a merger and is seeking comments from the involved parties as well as
The field of quantum computation holds great promise for revolutionizing how we process and store information. One of the key challenges in this field is finding suitable materials that can host and manipulate quantum states. Physicists at RIKEN have recently made an exciting breakthrough by developing an electronic device that hosts unusual states of matter,
The global carbon cycle is a complex system influenced by various factors, and marine organisms play a crucial role in this process. Phytoplankton, for example, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester it in organic matter that sinks to the deep ocean. This process, known as the biological carbon pump, has long been thought