New research presented at the American Astronomical Society’s 243rd Meeting suggests that planet formation around young stars may begin much earlier than previously believed. This groundbreaking study conducted using the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) challenges our current understanding of planetary formation. The study focuses on the images captured by ALMA, revealing the presence of
In the realm of organic chemistry, the concept of chirality plays a crucial role in the synthesis and functionality of molecules. Chirality refers to the property of molecules that exist as mirror images of each other, similar to our left and right hands. The ability to selectively create molecules with a specific handedness, or “chirality,”
The field of renewable energy continues to make significant strides towards a sustainable future. Scientists are now looking to semiconductors as a means to convert sunlight into usable energy. While solar cells have been used to convert sunlight into electricity, researchers are now exploring the possibility of using semiconductors to convert water into hydrogen, a
In the realm of physics, friction has always been a topic of great interest, influencing our daily lives in numerous ways. Skoltech researchers have recently delved into a fascinating aspect of friction, namely ultralow friction or superlubricity. Contrary to the conventional understanding of friction, they have discovered that superlubricity operates under different laws at the
New research conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder has revealed a dire warning for the future of Antarctica’s coastal waters. The study projects that by the end of the century, the acidity of these waters could double, posing a significant threat to the diverse marine life that inhabits the Southern Ocean. Published in the
As the urgency to study the potential health effects of microplastics intensifies, scientists continue to face a major challenge – the lack of an easy and effective method to detect and identify these tiny polluting particles that find their way into our bodies. However, a team of environmental chemists from Columbia University, led by Naixin
In the vastness of the outer Solar System lies an unexplored wilderness, shrouded in mystery. The limited capabilities of our telescopes hinder our ability to observe and understand the strange objects that may exist in this remote region. The known part of this enigmatic realm is the Kuiper Belt, a field of small icy rocks
Quantum computing holds immense potential for revolutionizing various industries, from climate modeling to drug discovery. However, one major hurdle in harnessing this power is the inherent variability within quantum devices, hindering their predictability and scalability. Researchers from the University of Oxford have recently overcome this challenge using a physics-informed machine learning approach. By using mathematical
In a major blow to America’s lunar ambitions, a highly anticipated commercial mission to the Moon is set to end in failure due to a critical loss of fuel. The organizers of the mission made the distressing announcement on Tuesday, dashing hopes of placing the first American spacecraft on the lunar surface since the Apollo
The construction industry is notorious for its excessive resource consumption and the generation of significant amounts of waste. Two prevalent waste products in construction are construction-generated sludge (CGS) and construction-generated surplus soil (CGSS). While these materials can be repurposed for various applications, their highly alkaline nature poses a risk to soil and water contamination, posing
A recent investigation conducted by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) in the United Kingdom has raised concerns about the continued use of harmful pesticides that have been banned in other European countries. These pesticides have been linked to detrimental effects such as water contamination, cancer, infertility, and other illnesses. In light of this alarming revelation,
As concerns over rising greenhouse gas levels and global warming continue to grow, scientists are exploring various methods to temporarily mitigate the effects of climate change. One proposed solution involves the injection of aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect incoming sunlight and reduce global temperatures. While previous studies have primarily focused on using gaseous sulfur
As many of us hit the gym or go for a run to recover from the silly season, you might notice a bit of extra muscle soreness. This is especially true if it has been a while between workouts. A common misunderstanding is that such soreness is due to lactic acid build-up in the muscles.
Extreme droughts are expected to become more frequent with climate change, and a recent study led by Colorado State University reveals that the effects of these droughts on grasslands and shrublands have been greatly underestimated. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study provides a detailed understanding of the potential losses in
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