A finding of an extensive reservoir of 'fossil' water in Sicily could contribute to addressing the severe water scarcity issues in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. A recent publication in the journal Communications Earth & Environment unveiled the presence of an immense underground reservoir of freshwater beneath the Iblean Mountains in Sicily. This ancient aquifer,...
UCSB's adaptive roof tiles are actuated by the phase changes of wax, and can passively stabilize room temperature to radically reduce the energy cost of heating and coolingUC Santa Barbara By employing a temperature-sensitive "wax motor," scientists have developed a dynamic roofing tile system that maintains a comfortable room temperature of 18 °C (65 °F)....
Credit: IIAS IIASA scientists have pioneered a new approach to restore fertility and education data, specifically in developing nations facing erratic or uncertain data sets. Accurate and consistent data is crucial for policymakers to assess how women's education influences fertility rates, especially during times of educational growth and declining fertility, a prevalent trend globally. Evaluating Education's...
Brainoware with unsupervised learning for AI computing. a, Schematic of an adaptive reservoir computing framework using Brainoware. b, Schematic of the paradigm of Brainoware setup that mounts a single brain organoid onto a high-density MEA for receiving inputs and sending outputs. c, Whole-mount immunostaining of cortical organoids showing complex three-dimensional neuronal networks with various brain cell...
Announcement of the agreement at COP28. AMR ALFIKY Well beyond the COP 28 deadline, representatives from over 200 countries have finally reached an historic agreement for a transition away from fossil fuels. The approved text calls for a fair, orderly, and equitable transition in energy systems, accelerating action in this crucial decade to achieve carbon...
Scientists are practicing talking to aliens by trying to communicate with whalesDepositphotos If we rely on movies, encounters with aliens often spell trouble for humanity. In an effort to avoid a potentially colossal cosmic blunder, scientists are honing their skills by attempting to communicate with whales in their language. Based on preliminary outcomes, it might...
The New York Times Wildfires, among the nation's most devastating natural calamities, threaten lives, property, and the environment by causing air pollution and destroying homes and infrastructure. Effective wildfire forecasting and management hinge upon understanding the risk and strategically allocating resources. A recent study, detailed in the November release of Earth's Future, brings scientific insights...
Hyundai's innovative new wheel/tire system features built-in, push-button snow chainsHyundai Hyundai has revealed an innovative wheel and tire design featuring integrated snow chains that can be deployed or retracted with the simple push of a button. This advancement has the potential to eliminate the cumbersome and chilly task of installing and removing conventional snow chains....
Credit: Unsplash. An international team of experts, led by Professor Shizhang Qiao from the University of Adelaide's School of Chemical Engineering, has successfully converted polyethylene waste (PE) into valuable chemicals using light-driven photocatalysis. This innovative approach provides an eco-friendly solution to address plastic pollution and harnesses renewable solar energy instead of relying on traditional fossil fuel-based...
The patent-avoiding WS&B keyboard is the layout we still use today.Credit: Unsplash. Anyone who has tried to use an alphabetical keyboard is well-acquainted with the seemingly illogical QWERTY layout. The debate persists on why this design emerged and why, after nearly 150 years, a more efficient alternative has yet to be widely adopted. The QWERTY layout,...
