ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Capturing hidden data for asymptomatic COVID-19 cases provides a better pandemic picture

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 12:41 PM PST

Asymptomatic COVID-19 cases are the bane of computer modelers' existences -- they throw off the modeling data to an unknown degree. A new approach explores using historic epidemic data from eight different countries to estimate the transmission rate and fraction of under-reported cases.

How life came to Earth

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 09:58 AM PST

Researchers have discovered a new clue in the search for the origin of life by showing that peptides can form on dust under conditions such as those prevailing in outer space. These molecules, which are one of the basic building blocks of all life, may therefore not have originated on our planet at all, but possibly in cosmic molecular clouds.

Future gravitational wave detector in space could uncover secrets of the Universe

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 09:58 AM PST

New research has shown that future gravitational wave detections from space will be capable of finding new fundamental fields and potentially shed new light on unexplained aspects of the Universe.

Futuristic coating for hospital fabrics and activewear kills COVID virus and E. coli

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:41 AM PST

Researchers have developed an inexpensive, non-toxic coating for almost any fabric that decreases the infectivity of the virus that causes COVID-19 by up to 90 per cent. And in the future, you might be able to spray it on fabric yourself.

Spatial training with blocks and puzzles could unlock the UK's mathematical potential

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:41 AM PST

A sustained focus on spatial reasoning training could help children learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Einstein's photoelectric effect: The time it takes for an electron to be released

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:41 AM PST

When light hits a material, electrons can be released from this material -- the photoelectric effect. Although this effect played a major role in the development of the quantum theory, it still holds a number of secrets: To date it has not been clear how quickly the electron is released after the photon is absorbed. Researchers have now been able to find an answer to this mystery with the aid of a COLTRIMS reaction microscope: The emission takes place lightning fast, namely within just a few attoseconds.

A 'fairly simple' breakthrough makes accessing stored hydrogen more efficient

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:40 AM PST

A new catalyst extracts hydrogen from hydrogen storage materials easily and efficiently. The process occurs at mild temperatures and under normal atmospheric conditions, without using metals or additives.

Facial analysis improves diagnosis

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:40 AM PST

Rare genetic diseases can sometimes be recognized through facial features, such as characteristically shaped brows, nose or cheeks. Researchers have now trained software that uses portrait photos to better diagnose such diseases. The improved version "GestaltMatcher" can now also detect diseases that are not yet known to it. It also manages to diagnose known diseases with very small numbers of patients.

Breakthrough in cathode chemistry clears the path for Li-S batteries' commercial viability

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 08:40 AM PST

Researchers have discovered a new way of producing and stabilizing a rare form of sulfur that functions in carbonate electrolyte -- the energy-transport liquid used in commercial Li-ion batteries. This development would not only make sulfur batteries commercially viable, but they would have three times the capacity of Li-ion batteries and last more than 4,000 recharges -- the equivalent of 10 years of use -- also a substantial improvement.

JET fusion facility sets a new world energy record

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:50 AM PST

European scientists have achieved a major success on the road to energy production through fusion plasmas: They produced stable plasmas with 59 megajoules of energy output at the world's largest fusion facility, JET, in Culham near Oxford, UK.

New planet detected around Proxima Centauri, closest star our solar system

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:50 AM PST

Astronomers have found evidence of another planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Solar System. This candidate planet is the third detected in the system and the lightest yet discovered orbiting this star. At just a quarter of Earth's mass, the planet is also one of the lightest exoplanets ever found.

Debris from disintegrating planets hurtling into white dwarfs across the galaxy

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:50 AM PST

The moment that debris from destroyed planets impacts the surface of a white dwarf star has been observed. Astronomers saw X-rays from planetary debris heated to a million degrees as it fell onto the dead core of its host star.

New technique will improve the construction of ice roads and bridges

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:49 AM PST

A new study found that measuring the time it takes for a radar pulse to travel from a satellite to the sea surface and back again can reveal the thickness of river ice and dates when it is safe to travel on ice roads and bridges in Arctic regions.

Toward triggering room-temperature superconductivity with light

Posted: 10 Feb 2022 05:49 AM PST

Hitting a material with laser light can produce a flash of superconductivity -- the ability to carry electric current with no loss -- and may offer a path toward room-temperature conductivity.

Applying the butterfly principle

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 12:50 PM PST

Researchers have created artificial colors by 3D printing certain nanostructures inspired by those of a butterfly. This principle can be used in the future to produce color screens.

Steering conversion of CO2 and ethane to desired products

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 12:49 PM PST

Chemists describe the key features of a catalyst that determine its selectivity for transforming CO2 and ethane (C2H6) into synthesis gas (useful for generating electricity or making liquid fuels) or, alternatively, ethylene (a building block for making paints, plastics, and other polymers). The findings could inform the rational design of catalysts to yield desired products.

Surprisingly high fraction of dead galaxies found in ancient galactic city

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 12:49 PM PST

Astronomers have discovered an unusual massive cluster of young galaxies forming in the early universe. The newly discovered growing galactic metropolis, named MAGAZ3NE J095924+022537, is a newborn galaxy cluster, or protocluster, consisting of at least 38 member galaxies, and is about 11.8 billion light-years away from Earth.

Rare earth elements await in waste

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 12:49 PM PST

Scientists applied their flash Joule heating process to coal fly ash and other toxic waste to safely extract rare earth elements essential to modern electronics and green technologies.

Context-dependent behavior can make cooperation flourish

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 12:49 PM PST

People adopt different social behavior depending on the context they're in. A deeply generous friend may be a cutthroat colleague, for example. Using a game theory framework, researchers find that context-dependent behavior doesn't stop cooperation from flourishing, especially when behavioral strategies can 'spillover' between social settings.

Harnessing sea pineapples and blood waste for metal-air-battery catalysts

Posted: 09 Feb 2022 08:21 AM PST

Sea pineapples are a delicacy in Japan and the Tohoku region is renowned for its extensive sea pineapple industry. Soon they might not only be fueling our appetites, but helping power our future too. A research group demonstrated that the carbonization of cellulose nanofibers within sea pineapple shells produces high-quality carbon that, when mixed with blood waste from the livestock industry, boasts electrical performances similar to that of rare metals.

Artificial intelligence and big data can help preserve wildlife

Posted: 08 Feb 2022 07:53 AM PST

A team of experts in artificial intelligence and animal ecology have put forth a new, cross-disciplinary approach intended to enhance research on wildlife species and make more effective use of the vast amounts of data now being collected thanks to new technology.

Predicting superconductor crystal structures with computer simulations

Posted: 08 Feb 2022 07:52 AM PST

The low temperatures required to maintain superconductivity have led to the development of hydrogen-containing compounds (metal hydrides) that can achieve superconductivity at room temperature. Researchers have been using computer simulations to predict various metals that can be combined with hydrogen to form potential superconductors that require inexpensive cooling solutions. Their simulations can provide information on crystal structures and assist in the development of high temperature superconductors.

Reusable catalyst makes C–H bond oxidation using oxygen easier and more efficient

Posted: 04 Feb 2022 10:09 AM PST

The selective oxidation of C--H bonds using oxygen has become a much simpler and more sustainable endeavor, thanks to a novel manganese (Mn)-based catalyst. Consisting of reusable Mg6MnO8 nanoparticles with unprecedented surface area, their catalyst enables the desired oxidative reactions to occur at mild temperature and pressure conditions without the need for toxic additives, opening doors to more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly chemistry applications.