The United Auto Workers (UAW) union in the US recently announced that there were no new strike targets, but the UAW President, Shawn Fain, emphasized that the labor action had entered a new stage involving last-minute walkouts. Fain stated that the union is adopting a new approach in this fight and sending a strong message
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has wreaked havoc across the globe, resulting in millions of infections and deaths. To combat this viral outbreak, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been studying the structure and function of the virus’s ion channels, particularly the
Phytoplankton, those tiny photosynthetic organisms found in the ocean, are not to be underestimated when it comes to their role in the global carbon cycle and their influence on Earth’s climate. A recent study sheds light on how variations in the physiology of phytoplankton, particularly in terms of nutrient uptake, can impact the chemical composition
In the wake of the global pandemic, scientists from various disciplines have united in their efforts to combat infectious diseases. One such team, comprised of atmospheric scientists, chemists, and infectious disease specialists, has embarked on an important mission at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. Their objective is to gather and analyze publicly available information
In order to meet the ever-growing demands of society, chemists are constantly seeking new synthesis methods to obtain products that do not exist naturally. This includes the development of new pharmaceuticals, cleaner fuels, and biodegradable plastics. It is crucial for chemists to create complex organic chemical compounds from simpler reagents, a process known as organic
The Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg, Germany, has been at the forefront of researching the effect of tailored laser drives on quantum materials. In particular, their work on unconventional superconductors has yielded interesting results. However, the complexity of these experiments has hindered systematic study and optimization, hampering
Metal halide perovskites have gained significant attention in the photovoltaic industry due to their promising optoelectronic properties. Recent breakthroughs have demonstrated power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) above 25.8%, making them competitive with existing solar technologies. However, the fabrication processes for these perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) are far from ideal, as they require an inert atmosphere, such
The 2015 flooding of the Sagavanirktok River in northern Alaska had immediate consequences, including the closure of the Dalton Highway for several days. However, a recent study conducted by assistant professor Simon Zwieback at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute reveals that the flooding also had significant long-term effects on the permafrost-rich region. The
In the not-so-distant future, medicine might take on a whole new form. Instead of relying solely on traditional medications, we could soon be ingesting artificial life forms that can analyze and remove diseases from within our bodies. While this may sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, scientists from the University of Southern
In a groundbreaking revelation, NASA announced on Wednesday that a sample collected from the asteroid Bennu, which is approximately 4.5 billion years old, contains a significant amount of water and carbon. This discovery provides further support to the theory that life on Earth may have originated from outer space. The sample was obtained through the
Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China have developed an innovative optical chip that has the potential to revolutionize various data-heavy tasks. This chip can configure itself to perform different functions and is particularly useful for optical neural networks, which are essential for tasks like image classification, gesture interpretation, and speech recognition.
Recent advancements in neuroscience and brain-inspired artificial intelligence have unlocked new avenues for understanding intelligence. A research team led by Tianzi Jiang at the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has introduced a groundbreaking platform known as the Digital Twin Brain. This innovative platform has the potential to bridge the divide between
As our planet continues to warm, there is a growing consensus that we are likely to surpass the critical 1.5℃ warming threshold. In fact, research suggests that we may even temporarily exceed the 2℃ threshold if atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels peak higher than anticipated. This exceeding of emissions targets is known as a climate
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have made significant progress in developing a new class of catalysts that could potentially revolutionize sustainable manufacturing processes for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The catalysts, known as heterogeneous geminal atom catalysts (GACs), promise to address the environmental issues plaguing these industries, such as air and water pollution.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and singer Bruce Springsteen may seem like an odd pair, but they both share something in common – they endorse the one meal a day (OMAD) diet. This weight loss trend has gained significant attention in recent times, as advocates claim it leads to fast and long-term weight loss success,