ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Methane in plumes of Saturn's moon Enceladus: Possible signs of life?

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 03:09 PM PDT

A study concludes that known geochemical processes can't explain the levels of methane measured by the Cassini spacecraft on Saturn's icy moon. While the paper by no means suggests that life exists on Enceladus, the results would be consistent with microbial activity similar to that known to occur at hydrothermal vents in Earth's oceans. 

Synthetic biology circuits can respond within seconds

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 12:30 PM PDT

Researchers have designed the first synthetic biology circuit that relies exclusively on protein-protein interactions. These circuits can be turned on within seconds, much faster than other synthetic biology circuits.

Ultrathin semiconductors electrically connected to superconductors

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 12:30 PM PDT

Researchers have equipped an ultrathin semiconductor with superconducting contacts. These extremely thin materials with novel electronic and optical properties could pave the way for previously unimagined applications. Combined with superconductors, they are expected to give rise to new quantum phenomena and find use in quantum technology.

New nanotech will enable a 'healthy' electric current production inside the human body, researchers report

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 10:31 AM PDT

Researchers have developed an innovative material that is eco-friendly, completely biological and non-toxic, and causes no harm to the body's tissues. The material is as strong as titanium and extremely flexible. The new development will allow for the charging of pacemakers using only the heartbeat, eliminating the need for batteries. The new material will make it possible to produce green energy activated by mechanical force that can be applied to other areas as well.

Satellite galaxies can carry on forming stars when they pass close to their parent galaxies

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 10:31 AM PDT

Using sophisticated simulations of the whole of the Local Group of galaxies, including the Milky Way, the Andromeda galaxy and their respective satellite galaxies, researchers have shown that the satellites not only can retain their gas but can also experience many new episodes of star formation just after passing close to the pericenter of their parent galaxy.

Kepler telescope glimpses population of free-floating planets

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:54 AM PDT

Tantalizing evidence has been uncovered for a mysterious population of 'free-floating' planets, planets that may be alone in deep space, unbound to any host star. The results include four new discoveries that are consistent with planets of similar masses to Earth.

Sculpted by starlight: A meteorite witness to the solar system's birth

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:54 AM PDT

Scientists knew a burst of UV light left its mark on our solar system. Now they know the source of that light.

Gulf Coast ready to develop carbon storage hub

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:53 AM PDT

The stage is set for a new carbon storage economy to emerge along the Gulf Coast, according to a new study, with the region offering ample opportunities to capture and store carbon, and recent state and federal incentives giving an added push to get started.

Face off for best ID checkers

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:53 AM PDT

The Glasgow Face Matching Test has been updated to find super-recognizers who can help prevent errors caused by face recognition software.

Embedded gas sensing device promises simple, accurate volatile organic compounds detection

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:53 AM PDT

Emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, volatile organic compounds include a variety of chemicals, and many are associated with adverse health effects so detecting VOCs simply, quickly, and reliably is valuable for several practical applications. Researchers now describe a device designed to analyze air samples containing various VOCs. The device inhales a sample, enabling the sensors within its aluminum gas chamber to analyze and respond in real situations.

Game-changing zeolite catalysts synthesized

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:53 AM PDT

A research team discovers new zeolite catalysts for catalytic cracking applications.

Falling in line: The simple design and control of MOF electric flow

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 07:20 AM PDT

Researchers develop a method to design and control the path of electron flow in a polycrystalline material.

Bone marrow-derived fibrin clot as better source for meniscal repair

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 07:20 AM PDT

Researchers analyze bone marrow-derived and peripheral blood-derived fibrin clots showing that the former contains more growth factors. They then show that bone marrow-derived fibrin clots can be used for meniscus suturing, even in the inner-most avascular regions, and with a 2-year post-operative follow-up, they show bone marrow-derived fibrin clots support healing better than their peripheral blood counterparts.

Bitumen surfaces under the microscope

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 07:20 AM PDT

Although the history of bitumen dates back to the third millennium BC, only little is known about its surface structure. Researchers are now shedding light on the nature of the bitumen surface using physicochemical analyses.

Mystery of heavy elements in galactic cosmic rays

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 07:20 AM PDT

Scientists have used data from the Southwest Research Institute-led Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission to explain the presence of energetic heavy elements in galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). GCRs are composed of fast-moving energetic particles, mostly hydrogen ions called protons, the lightest and most abundant elements in the universe. Scientists have long debated how trace amounts of heavy ions in GCRs are accelerated.

High-throughput metabolic profiling of single cells

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 07:19 AM PDT

Scientists have presented a new method for generating metabolic profiles of individual cells. The method, which combines fluorescence microscopy and a specific form of mass spectroscopy, can analyze over a hundred metabolites and lipids from more than a thousand individual cells per hour. Researchers expect the method to better answer a variety of biomedical questions in the future.

Machine learning cracks the oxidation states of crystal structures

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 06:38 AM PDT

Chemical engineers have developed a machine-learning model that can predict a compound's oxidation state, a property that is so essential that many chemists argue it must be included in the periodic table.

New study presents transformative metasurface based on zerogap embedded template

Posted: 06 Jul 2021 06:38 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new technique of predefining the crack pattern on a flexible substrate by a sequential deposition of metallic layers which leads to a formation of a zerogap between the adjacent lateral patterns.

Nanomaterials shape and form influences their ability to cross the blood brain barrier

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 12:20 PM PDT

Nanomaterials found in consumer and health-care products can pass from the bloodstream to the brain side of a blood-brain barrier model with varying ease depending on their shape - creating potential neurological impacts that could be both positive and negative, a new study reveals.