The recent hailstorm that hit Gerona, north-eastern Spain on 30 August 2022 was no ordinary event. Individual hailstones as large as 12cm were documented, causing widespread damage to buildings, cars, and agricultural areas. The severity of this hailstorm resulted in 67 injuries and tragically, one fatality. A group of researchers led by Professor Maria Luisa
The recent case of bird flu in a person from Texas has brought to light growing concerns over the global strain of the virus as it spreads to new species. This marks only the second known case of a human testing positive for bird flu in the United States, raising alarm among health officials and
In the realm of science and technology, harnessing coherent light sources in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) region is critical for various applications such as lithography, defect inspection, metrology, and spectroscopy. Traditionally, high-power 193-nanometer (nm) lasers have played a crucial role in lithography, enabling precise patterning. However, the limitations in coherence associated with conventional ArF excimer
Predicting the South Asian monsoon rainfall has always been a challenging task due to the complex nature of the weather patterns in the region. The rain falls in oscillations, with some weeks experiencing heavy downpours while others remain dry. This unpredictability poses a significant problem for agricultural and urban planning, making it crucial to accurately
Ammonia is a commonly used chemical in various industries such as fertilizer, dyes, and explosives. However, its production process is notorious for its negative impact on the environment, ranking second in terms of carbon emissions after cement. In an effort to address these concerns, engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a groundbreaking
As the climate pattern known as El Niño begins to decline, researchers have discovered a potential link between the strength of these events and the melting Arctic sea ice. A new study published in Science Advances sheds light on how the interaction between Arctic sea ice and the atmosphere affects the intensity of El Niño
Researchers at Imperial College London have made groundbreaking advancements in the field of cancer treatment by developing a platform for the synthesis, analysis, and testing of new compounds that show promise in fighting cancer. The findings of their study have been published in the prestigious journal, Angewandte Chemie International Edition. This new platform focuses on
In the quest to develop smaller, more efficient optoelectronic devices, researchers have identified the need for higher gate capacitance to reduce energy consumption. This necessitates the use of insulating materials with a high dielectric constant (κ), such as hafnium oxide (HfO2), to maximize charge storage capacity. However, integrating these high-κ materials with two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors
Alzheimer’s disease has long been associated with the accumulation of proteins in brain cells, but a recent study has shed light on a different aspect of the disease. Lipid deposits, which were first observed by Alois Alzheimer over a century ago, have not received as much attention as other biological changes linked to Alzheimer’s. However,
Having surgery can be a daunting experience for many people, and the recovery process can vary from person to person. One common side effect of surgery is a decline in brain function that can last weeks to months for some individuals, leading to memory difficulties and potentially an increased risk of dementia. A new animal
In the heart of Romania, engineer Antonia Toma activates the world’s most powerful laser at a research center near the capital Bucharest. This laser, operated by the French company Thales, is built on Nobel prize-winning inventions from Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland. These inventions have unlocked the potential for groundbreaking advances in fields ranging from
Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have been gaining attention as a promising class of transistors that offer unique advantages for various applications, such as biosensors, wearable devices, and neuromorphic systems. Despite their potential, traditional OECTs have faced challenges related to stability and slow redox processes. However, researchers at Northwestern University have recently introduced a novel fabrication