TrendingAdvertisementResearchers at Wuhan University have demonstrated a prototype jet engine that uses microwave air plasmas for propulsion instead of fossil fuels. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |Engineers in China have developed a fossil fuel-free jet propulsion prototype design that uses microwave air plasmas. If scientists can figure out a way to turn their design into a working engine, the technology could dramatically shrink the carbon footprint of the transportation industry.The team of researchers described their prototype design this week .Advertisement"The motivation of our work is...…TrendingAdvertisementResearchers at Wuhan University have demonstrated a prototype jet engine that uses microwave air plasmas for propulsion instead of fossil fuels. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |Engineers in China have developed a fossil fuel-free jet propulsion prototype design that uses microwave air plasmas. If scientists can figure out a way to turn their design into a working engine, the technology could dramatically shrink the carbon footprint of the transportation industry.The team of researchers described their prototype design this week .Advertisement"The motivation of our work is...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementPostdoctoral researcher Arnau Domenech and his colleagues identified a new pathway for disrupting the ability of bacteria cells to develop antibiotic resistance. Photo byVeening LabAccording to a new study, scientists have developed a drug that prevents bacteria from acquiring the genes needed to develop antibiotic resistance.Bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics by acquiring DNA fragments from their environs and incorporating them into their genomes. This ability is referred to as "competence."AdvertisementThrough a series of observations and lab tests, scientists...…TrendingAdvertisementPostdoctoral researcher Arnau Domenech and his colleagues identified a new pathway for disrupting the ability of bacteria cells to develop antibiotic resistance. Photo byVeening LabAccording to a new study, scientists have developed a drug that prevents bacteria from acquiring the genes needed to develop antibiotic resistance.Bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics by acquiring DNA fragments from their environs and incorporating them into their genomes. This ability is referred to as "competence."AdvertisementThrough a series of observations and lab tests, scientists...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementThe internet and digital economy are supported by massive computer server farms located all over the globe. Photo by Simon Law/Every day, Earth's natural resources are converted into digital information.As more and more raw materials and fossil fuels are used to power the computer systems and servers that support the digital economy, the Earth gets a little smaller and the world's digital footprint grows a little bigger.AdvertisementAccording to new research, that's a problem.Currently, one sextillion new digital bits of information are created each year. But each year...…TrendingAdvertisementThe internet and digital economy are supported by massive computer server farms located all over the globe. Photo by Simon Law/Every day, Earth's natural resources are converted into digital information.As more and more raw materials and fossil fuels are used to power the computer systems and servers that support the digital economy, the Earth gets a little smaller and the world's digital footprint grows a little bigger.AdvertisementAccording to new research, that's a problem.Currently, one sextillion new digital bits of information are created each year. But each year...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementThe Mars Curiosity rover was sent to Gale Crater -- and took this picture of Mount Sharp, in the middle of the crater -- but researchers have chosen to send the Perseverance rover to Jericho Crater to investigate ancient lake bed and river delta.Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSWhen Perseverance touches down on Mars early next year, the rover and its many instruments will start to probe for evidence of what the Red Planet was like billions of years ago.And like the Mars missions that came before -- from Mariner to Viking to Curiosity -- Mars 2020 will operate with one eye...…TrendingAdvertisementThe Mars Curiosity rover was sent to Gale Crater -- and took this picture of Mount Sharp, in the middle of the crater -- but researchers have chosen to send the Perseverance rover to Jericho Crater to investigate ancient lake bed and river delta.Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSWhen Perseverance touches down on Mars early next year, the rover and its many instruments will start to probe for evidence of what the Red Planet was like billions of years ago.And like the Mars missions that came before -- from Mariner to Viking to Curiosity -- Mars 2020 will operate with one eye...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementNew research suggests heated, high-density atomic gas clouds can feature upwards of 15 trillion entangled atoms. Photo by IFCOScientists have observed an unexpectedly large quantum system featuring 15 trillion entangled atoms, according to a new study.Quantum entanglement describes the connection between separate particles. The phenomenon is key to the promise of quantum computing, quantum encryption and other quantum technologies.AdvertisementUsually, quantum entanglement features a pair of coupled atoms or electrons. Entangled states are quite delicate. To ensure...…TrendingAdvertisementNew research suggests heated, high-density atomic gas clouds can feature upwards of 15 trillion entangled atoms. Photo by IFCOScientists have observed an unexpectedly large quantum system featuring 15 trillion entangled atoms, according to a new study.Quantum entanglement describes the connection between separate particles. The phenomenon is key to the promise of quantum computing, quantum encryption and other quantum technologies.AdvertisementUsually, quantum entanglement features a pair of coupled atoms or electrons. Entangled states are quite delicate. To ensure...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementScientists have discovered a protein that locates and facilitates the repair of damaged DNA. Photo by /PixabayScientists have developed a technique for repairing damaged DNA. The breakthrough, published this week , could pave the way for new therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.The accumulation of DNA damage is responsible for aging, cancer and neurological diseases like motor neuron disease, also known as ALS.AdvertisementUntil now, scientists have struggled to find ways to repair this kind of damage. However, researchers have discovered a new protein...…TrendingAdvertisementScientists have discovered a protein that locates and facilitates the repair of damaged DNA. Photo by /PixabayScientists have developed a technique for repairing damaged DNA. The breakthrough, published this week , could pave the way for new therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.The accumulation of DNA damage is responsible for aging, cancer and neurological diseases like motor neuron disease, also known as ALS.AdvertisementUntil now, scientists have struggled to find ways to repair this kind of damage. However, researchers have discovered a new protein...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementAccording to at least one researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, superconductors are superior to semiconductors as a medium for integrating optical and electronic components. Photo by Jeffrey Michael ShainlineTo build the next generation of artificial intelligence systems, at least one scientist wants to combine photonic components with superconducting electronics.The development of AI models capable of approximating human cognition have traditionally relied on semiconductors, but the process of combining optical and electronic components...…TrendingAdvertisementAccording to at least one researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, superconductors are superior to semiconductors as a medium for integrating optical and electronic components. Photo by Jeffrey Michael ShainlineTo build the next generation of artificial intelligence systems, at least one scientist wants to combine photonic components with superconducting electronics.The development of AI models capable of approximating human cognition have traditionally relied on semiconductors, but the process of combining optical and electronic components...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementAmong nuts in a pile, or in a bag, Brazil nuts tend to end up at the top over time -- and researchers have finally figured out that their shape is what helps them climb the pile. Photo courtesy of Max PixelIf you're not a fan of Brazil nuts, the initial handful from a bag of mixed nuts can be frustrating. While it may not be a consolation to frustrated snackers, scientists have finally figured out why Brazil nuts and other large nuts rise to the top.The phenomenon known as the 'Brazil-nut effect' can be observed in freshly opened boxes of cereal, too, with the largest...…TrendingAdvertisementAmong nuts in a pile, or in a bag, Brazil nuts tend to end up at the top over time -- and researchers have finally figured out that their shape is what helps them climb the pile. Photo courtesy of Max PixelIf you're not a fan of Brazil nuts, the initial handful from a bag of mixed nuts can be frustrating. While it may not be a consolation to frustrated snackers, scientists have finally figured out why Brazil nuts and other large nuts rise to the top.The phenomenon known as the 'Brazil-nut effect' can be observed in freshly opened boxes of cereal, too, with the largest...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementA volunteer packs a box of food to be distributed to people in need at the Capital Area Food Bank on April 9, 2020, in Washington, D.C. New research suggests older adults are more willing than their younger peers to exert effort on someone else's behalf. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |Need a helping hand? Science says look for an older adult.According to a new study published Friday , effortful prosocial behavior -- a willingness to exert physical effort on behalf of someone else -- is more common among older adults.Advertisement"A lot of research has focused on the...…TrendingAdvertisementA volunteer packs a box of food to be distributed to people in need at the Capital Area Food Bank on April 9, 2020, in Washington, D.C. New research suggests older adults are more willing than their younger peers to exert effort on someone else's behalf. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |Need a helping hand? Science says look for an older adult.According to a new study published Friday , effortful prosocial behavior -- a willingness to exert physical effort on behalf of someone else -- is more common among older adults.Advertisement"A lot of research has focused on the...WW…

TrendingAdvertisementRecovered in Colorado, this fossil represents a new genus and species of predatory insects known as assassin bugs, which has been named Aphelicophontes danjuddi. Photo by Palaeontological AssociationPaleontologists have recovered a 50-million-year-old assassin bug fossil featuring near-perfectly preserved genitalia, a rarity.Though the ancient insect's pygophore, a genital capsule, is no bigger than a grain of rice, researchers were able to clearly see the genitalia's internal features.AdvertisementThe prehistoric assassin bug's unique features, its pygophore and its...…TrendingAdvertisementRecovered in Colorado, this fossil represents a new genus and species of predatory insects known as assassin bugs, which has been named Aphelicophontes danjuddi. Photo by Palaeontological AssociationPaleontologists have recovered a 50-million-year-old assassin bug fossil featuring near-perfectly preserved genitalia, a rarity.Though the ancient insect's pygophore, a genital capsule, is no bigger than a grain of rice, researchers were able to clearly see the genitalia's internal features.AdvertisementThe prehistoric assassin bug's unique features, its pygophore and its...WW…