Scientists in the US have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding how cephalopods, such as squid and octopus, change the color of their skin. Using a microscopy technique called holotomography, researchers found that the tuneable optical properties of squid skin stem from winding columns of platelets in certain cells. This breakthrough has the potential to…
Fan Chung, a renowned mathematician, has shared her insights on the importance of collaboration in mathematical innovation. Her remarkable story highlights the power of human connections in driving groundbreaking discoveries. As a prolific collaborator, Chung has authored over 300 papers with more than 150 coauthors, demonstrating the substantial impact of collaborative relationships in mathematics. Forecast…
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a groundbreaking gel-based delivery system for diabetes treatment, which could potentially reduce the frequency of injections from once a week to once every three months. The innovative hydrogel, made of biodegradable polymers and nanoparticles, can self-heal and slowly release medication over time, offering a consistent and long-lasting treatment for…
Apple has updated its age-rating system for apps, adding 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings and removing 12+ and 17+ age ranges. The new system requires developers to answer age-rating questions and disclose sensitive content, aiming to provide parents with more specific guidance on app suitability for their children. The changes are part of Apple’s broader…
An international team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of quantum physics, unveiling evidence of a quantum spin liquid – a material with spins that remain in constant fluctuation at extremely low temperatures. The researchers used neutron scattering to reveal photon-like collective spin excitations in a crystal of cerium zirconate, providing…
Fungal allergy season is starting earlier due to climate change, with researchers finding that it now begins an average of 22 days earlier than it did 20 years ago. This shift is linked to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, which are causing fungal spores to accumulate in the environment about 11 days earlier. As…
Google has entered the rapidly growing market of AI-powered coding tools with its new tool, Opal. This visual workflow-based tool allows users to create mini web apps using text prompts, making it accessible to non-technical people. Opal is currently available in the US through Google Labs, and it joins a long list of competitors, including…
Seismic detectors around the world picked up a mysterious signal in September 2023, which was later confirmed to be caused by standing waves, or seiches, triggered by massive tsunamis in a narrow waterway off the coast of Greenland. Researchers at the University of Oxford used satellite altimetry data to construct images of the seiches, demonstrating…
Scientists at Harvard have made a groundbreaking discovery about the fungus Entomophthora muscae, which infects flies and causes them to die at sunset. The researchers found that the fungus has a built-in kill clock, which is driven by its own internal clock, and not by the fly’s body clock. This discovery sheds new light on…
Figma, a popular design tool, is set to go public with an initial public offering (IPO) that could raise up to $1.5 billion. The company’s founder and CEO, Dylan Field, will sell 2.35 million shares, cashing out over $62 million at the midrange price. Existing shareholders, including venture investors like Index, Greylock, Kleiner Perkins, and…