Physicists in Austria have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding static electricity, also known as contact electrification or triboelectrification. Led by Juan Carlos Sobarzo and Scott Waitukaitis, the team found that the static electricity acquired by identical material samples can evolve differently over time, based on each sample’s history of contact with other samples. This…
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Washington in Seattle have successfully used artificial intelligence (AI) to design brand-new enzymes that can perform multi-step reactions. The new enzymes, which were 60,000 times more efficient than previously designed ones, have the potential to revolutionize various biological and industrial processes, including plastic recycling….
Scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the phenomenon of static electricity. By studying the electric charge in experiments with a single material, they found that the charge an object picks up can depend on its history, specifically the number of times it had previously touched…
Humane, a Silicon Valley-based AI hardware startup, has been partially acquired by HP for $116 million, a significant decrease from its initial venture capital funding of $240 million. The acquisition has resulted in layoffs for some employees, while others have received job offers from HP with pay increases and bonus plans. The newly formed innovation…
Researchers in Beijing, China, have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with the development of a photothermal, nanoparticle-based deep brain stimulation (DBS) system. The system, which combines photothermal gold nanoparticles, dopamine neuron-activating TRPV1 antibodies, and β-synuclein peptides, has successfully reversed the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in laboratory mice. The treatment works…
The Royal Society in London has called a meeting to discuss the behavior of its fellows, particularly Elon Musk, after a growing campaign by scientists over his membership. Over 1,300 scientists signed an open letter expressing concerns about Musk’s conduct, citing his involvement in government reforms that threaten research programs and his spreading of misinformation…
The Trump administration’s push to reduce the federal workforce has led to the termination of thousands of employees, including scientists, in government agencies. This move has sparked concerns about public health and safety, as well as the environment. Employees at health agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of…
Researchers in Ireland and Norway have discovered the secret behind polar bear fur’s ability to remain ice-free, even in the harsh Arctic winter. The team found that the fur’s ice-shedding properties are due to a substance called sebum, which contains chemicals that could be used to develop environmentally-friendly anti-icing surfaces and lubricants. This breakthrough could…
The US Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr as the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, sparking concerns about the future of biomedical research in the country. Kennedy has a history of promoting vaccine misinformation and public-health conspiracies, and his appointment has raised fears about the potential impact on the…
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a new type of ice, called plastic ice, which exists on alien planets. This hybrid phase of water has been found to exhibit traits of both solid ice and liquid water, and its existence was confirmed through experiments at high temperatures and pressures. The discovery may help researchers…
