Monday - June 5 2023, 03:43 UTC - 1 year ago

Researchers from Australia’s Southern Cross University have found that coastal ecosystems around the world act as a net greenhouse gas sink for carbon dioxide (CO2). Their recently published study in Nature Climate Change has revealed that emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) partially counterbalance the CO2 absorption; however, on balance, these coastal ecosystems are still a vital sink for the global climate. In addition, the research team found that the strongest coastal greenhouse gas (GHG) sink is in Southeast Asia and that fjords around the world take up 40% of the carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released from tidal systems, deltas, and lagoons. The team's findings are set to inform the Global Carbon Project’s RECCAP2 initiative, which is aimed at encouraging better stewardship of coastal carbon managed by governments and local stakeholders around the world.

Sunday - June 4 2023, 23:17 UTC - 1 year ago

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on May 27, 2023, agreed in principle to a tentative deal that would raise the debt ceiling while capping some federal spending at current levels. It would reduce planned funding for the IRS, impose new work requirements on some people who receive benefits from the federal program known as SNAP, and claw back unspent funds from pandemic relief programs. Congress will need to discuss these provisions carefully in the coming weeks, for if the deal isn't approved, the US will be dangerously close to defaulting on its debt.

Sunday - June 4 2023, 18:46 UTC - 1 year ago

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that China has allegedly succeeded in creating a new method of producing the highly-explosive CL-20 that makes it five times more shock resistant. If true, this could lead to large-scale mass production of the explosive that could be incorporated into various Chinese projectiles and missiles. CL-20 has a higher energy output and lower sensitivity to shock and friction compared to other commonly used military explosives, and has high potential value for military applications. China reportedly integrated this material into several weapon systems, and is closely associated with its nuclear weapons program.

Sunday - June 4 2023, 13:47 UTC - 1 year ago

A group of scientists have created software to hunt for narrow-frequency radio pulses emanating from within the Milky Way as a potential way to detect intelligent alien life. Utilizing the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, the software is able to scan 1.5 million telescope data samples in just 30 minutes. The team is looking to the center of the Milky Way because of its high concentration of stars and the possibility of finding habitable exoplanets. Although the initial search did not detect any significant indications, researchers hope the speed of the algorithm will enhance future exploration endeavors.

Sunday - June 4 2023, 09:08 UTC - 1 year ago

In the early 1960s, scientists attempted the first drilling project called Project Mohole with the aim to reach the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle. In 1989, a Russian project in Kola superdeep borehole set a record by drilling 12.2km into the crust, evidencing the technological advancement achieved since then. In 2015, South Asian monsoon was investigated by an Indian researcher with successful results. The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator is responsible for the operation of the existing riserless drillship that traverses the ocean to study Earth's history.

Sunday - June 4 2023, 04:02 UTC - 1 year ago

The Reinhart Lab at Boston University has been researching the use of a new brain stimulation technology called tACS. Their findings suggest that tACS can improve executive function, as well as memory and attention. This suggests that the technology could be used as a viable clinical intervention for mental health conditions in the future.

Saturday - June 3 2023, 23:58 UTC - 1 year ago

The Chinese government has proposed a new regulation to control the potential risks associated with AI. Despite the restrictive nature of the regulation, their intent appears to be to encourage companies to continue investing in AI, as apposed to scaring them away. The final regulations are expected to be finalized soon.

Saturday - June 3 2023, 19:53 UTC - 1 year ago

Architects from Cambridge’s Centre for Natural Material Innovation and PLP Architecture have released a prototype home made of flexible wooden partition walls which can be shifted and moved around to meet the ever evolving needs of residents. This new invention is called Ephemeral, which reduces waste and carbon emission while also empowering people to make their interior spaces their own. If adopted by architects everywhere, the development could slash housing costs and tackle some of the hurdles of the construction industry to be part of a sustainable future.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 10:17 UTC - 1 year ago

A team of computer scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, MIT, Google and the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new AI imaging tool, called DragGAN, to enable 3D user-interactive editing of 2D images. The new tool can manipulate the colors of an image, create photo-realistic materials and textures, delete elements like buildings or people etc. This AI-based photo editing tool is now available to users everywhere, and its potential to expand and develop is immense.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 08:16 UTC - 1 year ago

The Dark Web is an active mall where criminals offer a laundry list of criminal activities, and researchers from South Korea have built language models such as DarkBERT to help combat the illegal activities. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts proceeds from global cybercrime to reach $10 trillion by 2025, making combatting these activities more vital than ever.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 06:59 UTC - 1 year ago

Scientists have just turned on detectors capable of measuring gravitational waves in the US after a three year hiatus. These tiny ripples in space could be used to observe some of the most spectacular events in the universe, such as merging black holes and neutron stars. The detectors, known as LIGO, compare the size of two 2.5 mile long arms when a gravitational wave passes through them, to measure the wave. Multi-messenger astronomy provides opportunities to learn more about physics beyond what can be done in a laboratory.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 05:34 UTC - 1 year ago

A team of researchers from Mass Eye and Ear, part of Mass General Brigham, have successfully rescued hearing in aged mouse models of human recessive deafness DFNB8 using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. This breakthrough suggests that the same techniques may be used to treat genetic hearing loss in humans aged population in the future.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 04:25 UTC - 1 year ago

The UAE space agency has announced their ambitious mission to explore the solar system's asteroid belt with the MBR Explorer spacecraft. The spacecraft consists of a high-resolution camera, thermal infrared camera, mid-wavelength spectrometer, and an infrared spectrometer. The primary goals are to investigate the origins and evolution of water-rich asteroids, and assess potential resources. This mission follows the success of the UAE's first space mission to Mars.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 02:33 UTC - 1 year ago

A cancer vaccine combining checkpoint blockade therapy and a STING-activating drug eliminates tumors and prevents recurrence in mice with little side effects and is even effective in cases with mutated STING gene.

Tuesday - May 30 2023, 01:23 UTC - 1 year ago

Experimental brain-computer interfaces are being trialed to help treat paralysis and epilepsy – but when research funding runs out, the implications for trial volunteers can be devastating. Burkhart volunteered for a trial nine years ago, which enabled him to partially regain movement of his limbs. But when funding ran out, he was forced to have the implant removed, which took away his regained mobility. Informed consent is essential, but as Burkhart’s experience shows, it may not provide all the answers.

Monday - May 29 2023, 23:32 UTC - 1 year ago

A new study has attempted to narrow down the possibilities of discovering potentially habitable exoplanets within the Milky Way, according to which roughly one-third of the galaxy's planets may be in the Goldilocks zone. The team used data from the Kepler and Gaia telescopes and noted that stars with multiple planets in a circular orbit are more likely to retain liquid water. Despite this, the authors note that searching for lifeforms beyond Earth could require developing more advanced technology.

Monday - May 29 2023, 22:00 UTC - 1 year ago

Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to induce torpor-like states in mammals using noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of the brain. The technique could be used for applications in space and for patients with extreme health conditions to preserve energy and heat. The technique was tested in mice and rats, with successful results. The results, published in Nature Metabolism on May 25, demonstrate the first safe and noninvasive way to induce a torpor-like state in mammals via targeting the central nervous system.

Monday - May 29 2023, 20:10 UTC - 1 year ago

US policymakers have been scrutinising the app intensely in recent months, with Montana's ban being the most dramatic move so far. However, the presented prohibition is highly unlikely to be enforced, and even unlikely to make it past the current legal challenges it is being hit with. The ongoing debate must consider digital privacy, public safety, and business viability, as what comes out of this legal battle might determine the fate of app bans for years to come.

Friday - May 26 2023, 09:24 UTC - 1 year ago

In 2023, Italian banks have invested significantly in AI-driven transformation. This transformation includes aspects of corporate strategy, such as budget, benefits, and strategy, as well as governance aspects such as organizational structure and processes, risk management, skills management, and ethical implications. Benefits of investing in AI include improved business performance, decision-making, customer relationships, products, and services. AI governance requires transparent, explainable, and traceable frameworks to monitor business and technical efficacy as well as risk and ethical compliance.