Category archives: Technology

MI weekly selection #197

MI weekly selection #197

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Astronomers spy most distant galaxy cluster ever observed A young galaxy cluster 11.1 billion light-years from Earth is the most distant ever observed, astronomers say. Multiple space telescopes were used to spot CL J1001+0220, where nine of its 11 galaxies are furiously giving birth to stars. Space.com Dawn images, data locate ice volcano on Ceres […]

Permanent excimer-like colloidal superstructures as anticytotoxic agents

Permanent excimer-like colloidal superstructures as anticytotoxic agents

BiomedicineChemistryCondensed matterMaterials

By DIPC

A chemical compound or molecule consisting of two identical simpler molecules is a dimer. If one of the simpler molecules is excited while the other is in its ground, non-excited, state we talk about excimers. They are excited dimers which are non-bonding in the ground state. Thus, excimers can be considered evanescent quasi-particles that typically […]

Rabid aggression

Rabid aggression

BiologyMedicineMicrobiologyNeurobiology

By José Ramón Alonso

Rabies is a fatal viral disease largely transmitted to humans by infected animals—predominantly from domestic dogs. The contagion is usually through the saliva from rabid animals. The disease is entirely preventable through prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis to bite victims and can be controlled through widely applied vaccination of domestic dogs. Yet, rabies is still […]

Graphene nanodrum solos

Graphene nanodrum solos

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyPhysics

By Francisco R. Villatoro

Luthiers still use Chladni figures in the design and construction of acoustic instruments such as violins, guitars, and cellos. The technique invented by the German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni (1756–1827) shows the modes of vibration under forcing. The backplate of the instrument is covered with flour or sand, and bowed until it reached resonance […]

MI weekly selection #193

MI weekly selection #193

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Evidence of ancient flood uncovered in China Scientists have uncovered evidence that the myth that an enormous flood spawned China’s Xia dynasty isn’t just legend. Geologists, historians and archaeologists worked together to determine a massive flood occurred around 1,922 B.C., around the time Emperor Yu is said to have founded civilization in China. The Washington […]

MI weekly Selection #192

MI weekly Selection #192

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Cancer found in bone of ancient human ancestor Evidence of cancer has been found in the toe bone of an ancient human ancestor who died 1.6 million to 1.8 million years ago, suggesting the deadly disease isn’t just caused by lifestyle factors. Researchers examining the bone using 3D imaging identified a malignant osteosarcoma tumor. National […]

Penta-graphene: to be or not to be

Penta-graphene: to be or not to be

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsPhysicsQuantum physics

By Francisco R. Villatoro

Graphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon made of hexagons. In February 2015, penta-graphene, only made of pentagons, was theoretically proposed as another two-dimensional allotrope of carbon . Apparently, it is dynamically, thermally, and mechanically stable, exhibiting a large band gap (graphene is gapless). However, an exhaustive experimental search has been inconclusive, resulting in doubts […]