Geothermal pools, like the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park seen here, contain ample amounts of lithiumDepositphotosLithium-ion batteries power everything from vapes to electric cars, but they rely on hard-to-extract lithium. A new electrochemical reactor from Rice University promises to make lithium harvesting safer and more efficient.Lithium-ion batteries dominate the market due to...
Memory storage and retrieval may be able to be targeted thanks to new discoveryBaylor College of MedicineRecent research into how "brain stars" (astrocytes) store memories has reshaped our understanding of memory retention in the brain.Previous Beliefs About Memory and NeuronsScientists at Baylor College of Medicine have been examining the role of astrocytes, star-shaped cells...
A patient with encephalitis lethargica in 1925. (Public Domain Mark/Wellcome Collection)In the film Awakenings, Robert De Niro's character laments, "People have forgotten what life is all about" after he revives from a 30-year shutdown state. This film, based on Dr. Oliver Sacks' true story, explores the lives of individuals impacted by encephalitis lethargica, or "sleepy...
Credit: PixabayPlants, whether in the ocean or on land, largely produce the oxygen essential for intelligent life as we know it through photosynthesis of carbon dioxide. However, new research suggests that depths with no light might generate oxygen without relying on living organisms.The authors of the study, published in Nature Geoscience, collected samples of...
COF-999, shown here in its form of a yellow powder, adsorbs a huge quantity of CO2 at room temperature, and can be reused at least 100 timesZihui Zhou / UC BerkeleyResearchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a powdery material that adsorbs carbon dioxide with remarkable efficiency. Just 200 grams (about 0.5...
Credit: PixabayOn Monday, Google signed a deal to source electricity from small nuclear reactors to support its AI operations. This agreement with Kairos Power follows recent news that Three Mile Island, the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, will resume operations to supply energy to Microsoft."Nuclear energy is crucial for driving...
Credit: PixabayReducing calorie intake and regularly delaying meals could be an effective approach to extending lifespan, but there may be trade-offs. A large U.S. study involving nearly 1,000 mice indicates that while food restriction leads to metabolic changes and lower body mass, these effects could pose health risks for certain individuals.Numerous studies have consistently...
Scientists are wondering whether 'AI scientists' could win a Nobel Prize. Credit: PixabayAI is already transforming industries like banking, finance, film, and journalism, and researchers are now exploring how it could reshape their field—or even earn a Nobel Prize.In 2021, Japanese scientist Hiroaki Kitano introduced the "Nobel Turing Challenge," urging researchers to develop an...
MIT's Clio runs in real-time to map task-relevant objects in a robot's surroundings, allowing the bot (Boston Dynamic's quadruped robot Spot, pictured) carry out a natural language task ("pick up orange backpack"). Credit: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyPicture tidying up a cluttered kitchen, beginning with a counter scattered with sauce packets. If your aim is...
Off the coast of Chile, in the krill- and anchovy-rich waters influenced by the Humboldt Current, resides a rarely seen population of orcas. Through citizen science and years of diligent monitoring, a research team led by Dr. Ana García Cegarra from the Universidad de Antofagasta is beginning to uncover their mysteries—starting with their feeding...
