Author archives: César Tomé

MI weekly selection #566

MI weekly selection #566

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Black holes account for only small fraction of dark matter Contradicting earlier theories, massive black holes are made of a small percentage of dark matter. A team used gravitational microlensing to monitor nearly 80 million stars over 20 years, finding only 13 microlensing events, which indicates that other factors could explain the gravitational waves found […]

Sharp separation using isoporous membranes

Sharp separation using isoporous membranes

Chemical engineeringFood processingMaterialsMechanical EngineeringNanotechnology

By César Tomé

Imagine a close basketball game that comes down to the final shot. The probability of the ball going through the hoop might be fairly low, but it would dramatically increase if the player were afforded the opportunity to shoot it over and over. A similar idea is at play in the scientific field of membrane […]

MI weekly selection #565

MI weekly selection #565

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Newfound ancient reptile suggests complex ecosystems Paleontologists have uncovered a previously unknown species of small land reptiles, Parvosuchus aurelioi, that lived about 237 million years ago, walked on four legs and used bladelike teeth to tear flesh. “The presence of this small predator among fossils of much larger predators suggests that these ecosystems, where Brazil […]

MI weekly selection #564

MI weekly selection #564

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Earth’s inner core may have started slowing spin in 2010 Seismograms confirm Earth’s inner core has slowed its rotation for the first time in decades, possibly beginning in 2010 because of gravitational pull or the liquid iron outer core’s constant motion, which generates the planet’s magnetic field. The slowdown could change the length of a […]

Landau singularities revisited

Landau singularities revisited

MathematicsParticle physicsPhysics

By César Tomé

Scientists have used computational algebraic geometry to study predictions for particle physics experiments, such as those at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). These experiments, in combination with new mathematical tools, help to solve unanswered questions in physics in a much faster way and have a profound impact on our understanding of nature. When studying particle […]

MI weekly selection #563

MI weekly selection #563

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Seahenge may have been built to combat climate change Seahenge, an ancient timber monument discovered on an English beach, may have been built to counteract climate deterioration, according to a study in GeoJournal. The research suggests that Seahenge and the nearby Holme II were ritual structures aimed at bringing warmth during periods of severe cold […]

Stable, high-energy-density and fast charging lithium-ion batteries

Stable, high-energy-density and fast charging lithium-ion batteries

ChemistryMaterials

By César Tomé

Convenient fast charging and energy density of lithium-ion batteries have long been considered a trade-off, which has hindered the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. A new process will help develop stable, high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries capable of fast charging. A crucial prerequisite for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is the enhancement of lithium-ion battery […]

MI weekly selection #562

MI weekly selection #562

Weekly Selection

By César Tomé

Evolution may have moved energy to brain from ovaries Human brain growth may have taken off by seizing energy left after ovarian follicles adapted to require less fuel. The math shows that evolution freed up about the same amount of energy from follicular maintenance that human brains needed to reach their current size. Full Story: […]