Urbanization in Africa is rapidly increasing, with the urban population more than doubling since the early 2000s. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, with projections indicating that the urban population will double again by 2050. This growth brings with it significant challenges and impacts on the environment, particularly on local food systems and
In a recent study published in the journal Materials Today Energy, a collaborative research team has successfully developed a 4-Amino-TEMPO derivative with photocatalytic properties. This derivative has been utilized to enhance the performance of fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) and fiber-shaped organic light-emitting diodes (FOLEDs). The conventional materials used in electronic devices were challenging to
A recent breakthrough in materials science has led to the development of a single crystal with a remarkable 5% magneto-superelasticity. This innovative discovery has opened up new possibilities for contactless material operation and the creation of highly efficient energy transducers. The research team behind this groundbreaking discovery, led by Prof. Jiang Chengbao and Prof. Wang
In the realm of robotics, the ability for robots to effectively grasp and manipulate objects in real-world environments is a critical aspect. Over the years, developers have turned to machine learning models to enhance object manipulation capabilities in robots. While some of these models have shown promise, they often require extensive pre-training on large datasets
In a groundbreaking development in the field of space exploration, Japanese researchers have successfully built the world’s first wooden satellite. This innovative cuboid craft, developed by scientists at Kyoto University in collaboration with the logging company Sumitomo Forestry, is set to be launched into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in September. With each side measuring
Have you ever found yourself completely absorbed in an activity to the point where time seems to vanish, and all your worries fade away? This state of heightened concentration is known as “flow”. Flow exists on a spectrum between boredom and stress, typically occurring during activities that are challenging yet still within our skill level.
Proteins are complex molecules that play crucial roles in various biological processes. In order for proteins to function effectively, they must have the correct three-dimensional structure. Traditional methods of comparing protein structures have focused solely on the position of atoms, neglecting important chemical information. However, a new groundbreaking technique called LoCoHD (Local Composition Hellinger Distance)
In a recent study conducted by UN Women and the United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in South-East Asia, alarming results were found. The report highlighted the systemic issues that put women’s security at risk when AI is adopted, and the gender biases present in widely
Protein structure prediction has long been a critical area of research for understanding human health and disease. Recent developments in quantum computing have opened up new possibilities for enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of predicting protein structures. A recent study by researchers from Cleveland Clinic and IBM has shed light on the potential of quantum
The Salton Sea, located in California, has been shrinking over the years, leading to the exposure of its lakebed. This exposure has resulted in the stirring up of dust particles by desert winds, causing increased air pollution in nearby communities. A recent study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics has highlighted the detrimental
Quantum computers have long been hailed as the future of computing due to their potential to solve incredibly complex problems in a fraction of the time it would take traditional supercomputers. However, the key challenge lies in building a system with millions of interconnected qubits that can operate cohesively. Recently, researchers at MIT and MITRE
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Materials, researchers have successfully designed a new oxide material, Ca3Co3O8, by manipulating correlated oxides at an atomic level. This material showcases a unique combination of properties, including ferromagnetism, polar distortion, and metallicity. The collaboration between Prof. Sheng Zhigao from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese
Farmland has become a battleground in the ongoing fight against climate change. With the competing interests of solar panels, energy crops, and food production, policy choices can often lead to the release of more heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Strategies for sustainable plant-based fuels have been focusing on marginal lands in order to address this
In the biorefining industry, there has been a longstanding belief that “You can make anything from lignin, except money.” Lignin, a bio-based compound abundant in wood biomass, has always posed challenges when it comes to commercialization. However, a new innovative approach by chemists from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy
Recent research has shown that intermittent fasting and protein pacing can have a significant impact on weight loss, but new findings suggest that they may also play a role in diversifying the gut microbiome. Previous studies have already established a connection between the bacteria in our guts and our tendency to gain weight. This latest