In the world of nanophotonics, the ability to control light with precision at the nanoscale is a game-changing goal. Recent advancements in materials science have opened up new pathways for achieving this, particularly through the use of van der Waals (vdW) crystals. These ultra-thin materials, composed of layers of atoms held together by weak van […]
A predictive tool for determining the age at which individuals may develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) has demonstrated the ability to predict MCI onset within 2.78 years and AD onset within 1.48 years. Developed by Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health researchers, collaborating with the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) […]
A method that can grow a useful insulating material into exceptionally high-quality films that are just one atom thick and are suitable for industrial-scale production has been developed. The material, called hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), is used in semiconductor devices and can also enhance the performance of other two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and […]
Author: Alexander V. Gheorghiu, Research Fellow in Logic or Applied Logic, University College London The rigid structures of language we once clung to with certainty are cracking. Take gender, nationality or religion: these concepts no longer sit comfortably in the stiff linguistic boxes of the last century. Simultaneously, the rise of AI presses upon us […]
The deployment of robot teams could allow humans to complete various real-world tasks faster and more efficiently. For instance, multiple co-operating robots could help to quickly find and rescue survivors of natural disasters or monitor pollution across large geographical areas. Researchers at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) have developed a new swarm architecture inspired by […]
Numerous proteins in the cell withstand mechanical loads while performing their function. This is especially significant for cell-surface proteins located in the extracellular matrix, which are essential for the communication between cells in the extracellular milieu. Reacting to mechanical force through conformational changes is crucial for these cell-surface proteins, translating a physical signal into an […]
A new review article stresses out the necessity of the integration of new generation post-quantum cryptography protocols to industrial and critical infrastructures environments. The exponential development of communication technologies in the late 20th century and, specially, in the early 21 st century has resulted in a contemporary society that exists in a hyperconnected world. In […]
Author: Richard Massey, Professor of extragalactic astrophysics (dark matter and cosmology), Durham University In recent decades, we’ve learnt huge amounts about the universe and its history. The rapidly developing technology of telescopes – both on Earth and in space – has been a key part of this process, and those that are due to start […]
The 2024 Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry have given us a glimpse of the future of science. Artificial intelligence (AI) was central to the discoveries honoured by both awards. You have to wonder what Alfred Nobel, who founded the prizes, would think of it all. We are certain to see many more Nobel medals […]
Spain, like many other countries with a large share of agriculture in the economy, faces significant challenges in managing the vast quantities of livestock manure produced every year. In 2020, Spain had more than 6.7 million cattle, each producing approximately 17 cubic meters of manure annually . Manure, particularly from large-scale livestock operations, creates environmental […]