A groundbreaking achievement by a team of Chinese researchers has paved the way for next-generation laser technology. Professor Wang Enge from the esteemed School of Physics at Peking University led the team in inventing a revolutionary new type of ultrathin optical crystal called Twist Boron Nitride (TBN). With a micron-level thickness, TBN is currently the
In a groundbreaking study, scientists have made a significant leap forward in the development of brain organoids. Traditionally, researchers have relied on coaxing stem cells to proliferate into millions of cells and grow into different types of cells, such as neurons. However, a team of Dutch researchers has now managed to bypass this challenging step
The demand for renewable energy has been on the rise due to increased energy prices and a growing concern for environmental sustainability. Solar power, in particular, has seen significant growth with the deployment of solar parks. However, the efficiency of solar panels remains a challenge. Current technologies can only convert a quarter of the sun’s
In today’s world, waste management has become a significant concern, with millions of tons of waste being generated by humans each year. Unfortunately, a large portion of this waste consists of non-degradable plastic and petroleum-based materials that end up in landfills. As a result, scientists have been exploring alternative materials that are both effective and
The United States is making strides towards returning to the Moon! A momentous event took place on January 8, 2024, with the successful launch of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. Onboard this rocket was a lunar lander named Peregrine, developed by commercial company Astrobotic. Notably, Peregrine carries five science payloads from NASA, marking the first
After a long and tiring day, the thought of doing household chores can be disheartening. However, there is a unique way to find solace and entertainment in tackling domestic tasks: video games. Australian game developers have ingeniously transformed repetitive and often unappealing household activities into exciting and immersive gaming experiences. Games like “Untitled Goose Game,”
The development of electronic devices has been rapidly progressing, with a focus on creating smaller and more efficient devices. Two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting materials have emerged as a promising avenue for achieving this goal. These materials offer significant advantages over their traditional bulky counterparts, such as retaining carrier mobility even with reduced thickness. However, the application
Constellations have always required a bit of imagination to decipher. While some, like Leo or Orion, bear a resemblance to their namesakes, others, such as Pegasus or Telescopium, demand a powerful level of imagination to see their intended shapes. Even squinting or tilting our heads doesn’t always make them visible. This same challenge presented itself
For those seeking rapid weight loss or a quick fix before a big event or vacation, crash diets often seem like an appealing option. These types of diets involve drastically reducing calorie intake to 800-1,200 calories per day for a few weeks. Influencers and social media have contributed to their popularity, making them a go-to
Google has recently implemented a restriction on third-party cookies for some users of its Chrome web browser, marking the beginning of its plan to eventually eliminate these files that have raised concerns over user privacy. This move is in line with Google’s announcement in 2020 to do away with cookies, however, the complete elimination of
Spintronic devices have garnered significant interest in recent years for their ability to achieve high-speed processing and low-cost data storage. These devices utilize the spin of electrons to carry and manipulate information. Spin-transfer torque has been a key phenomenon enabling ultrafast and low-power spintronics. However, a promising alternative called spin-orbit torque (SOT) has emerged. This
The distribution of dark matter in the Universe has long intrigued scientists, but recent observations have raised more questions than answers. These observations reveal that dark matter, an elusive substance that exerts a gravitational influence on the Universe, is distributed differently now compared to its early stages after the Big Bang. It appears to be
The chemical industry has long been associated with harmful environmental practices, but efforts are being made to change this perception. Caltech’s Karthish Manthiram and his team have made significant progress in developing a catalyst for producing propylene oxide, a widely used chemical, in a more environmentally friendly manner. This breakthrough could revolutionize the production process
Rice farming in sub-Saharan Africa has seen a significant increase in production over the past decade, resulting in a rise in methane emissions. A team of engineers and atmospheric scientists at Harvard University, together with a colleague from the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, conducted a study to determine the extent of this
In urban African communities, communication infrastructure has significantly improved, making it easier for people to share information quickly and efficiently. However, the same cannot be said for rural areas, where limited resources and a lack of investment opportunities have resulted in a significant digital divide. In these remote regions, where houses are kilometers apart, residents