Quantum dot solar cells break efficiency record, silicon in its sights

One of the most promising, emerging solar cell technologies has received a major efficiency boost. Engineers at UNIST in South Korea have created quantum dot solar cells with a world record efficiency of 18.1%.Continue ReadingCategory: Energy, ScienceT… Continue reading Quantum dot solar cells break efficiency record, silicon in its sights

Insects aren’t attracted to lights at all – they just get vertigo

It’s a question we’ve all wondered at some point in our lives: why do insects spend their evenings swarming around and bopping into artificial lights? Scientists have now come up with an answer using high-speed cameras and motion capture tech to map ou… Continue reading Insects aren’t attracted to lights at all – they just get vertigo

New drug triggers “calcium storm” to choke cancer cells to death

No matter how important something is, too much of anything is bad for you. Scientists have now put that principle to work to kill cancer, with a new drug that causes calcium to build up and choke the tumor to death.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, Sc… Continue reading New drug triggers “calcium storm” to choke cancer cells to death

“Old Smokers”: Astronomers discover previously unknown type of star

“Astronomers discover a completely unknown object floating around in space” is a common news theme, but it’s fun every time. The latest is a brand new type of star – ancient red giants the team has nicknamed “Old Smokers.”Continue ReadingCategory: Spac… Continue reading “Old Smokers”: Astronomers discover previously unknown type of star

“Molecular jackhammers” kill cancer by busting through cell walls

Scientists have demonstrated an intriguing new technique to treat cancer – “molecular jackhammers” that latch onto cancer cells, then vibrate vigorously to kill them when activated by infrared light.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: Cance… Continue reading “Molecular jackhammers” kill cancer by busting through cell walls

Graphene replaces sand to make lighter, stronger concrete

When you think of resources we’re running out of, sand might not be high on your list, but it’s up there thanks to our high demand for concrete. Scientists at Rice University have now shown that substituting graphene can not only save sand, but makes c… Continue reading Graphene replaces sand to make lighter, stronger concrete

Groundbreaking gene therapy trial allows 5 children born deaf to hear

A breakthrough clinical trial using gene therapy has restored hearing to five children born deaf. After six months, the children were able to recognize speech and hold conversations, raising hopes for wider use in the near future.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Groundbreaking gene therapy trial allows 5 children born deaf to hear

Robot dinosaurs let loose to demonstrate hunting techniques

Scientists have long puzzled over why some dinosaurs had feathers and wings long before they evolved the ability of flight. Experiments with a robot dinosaur may now have revealed the answer – they used them for hunting.Continue ReadingCategory: Scienc… Continue reading Robot dinosaurs let loose to demonstrate hunting techniques

Smallest and tightest knot ever tied is made of just 54 atoms

The new knot takes the basic structure of a trefoil knot (pictured)

Whether it was in your shoelaces or earbud cables, we’ve all accidentally tied knots that we can’t untangle – but we don’t expect to win any world records with them. Now scientists have done exactly that, accidentally tying the world’s smallest and tightest knot in a tiny structure made of just 54 atoms.

Continue Reading

Category: Science

Tags: , , , , ,

Continue reading Smallest and tightest knot ever tied is made of just 54 atoms

Smallest and tightest knot ever tied is made of just 54 atoms

The new knot takes the basic structure of a trefoil knot (pictured)

Whether it was in your shoelaces or earbud cables, we’ve all accidentally tied knots that we can’t untangle – but we don’t expect to win any world records with them. Now scientists have done exactly that, accidentally tying the world’s smallest and tightest knot in a tiny structure made of just 54 atoms.

Continue Reading

Category: Science

Tags: , , , , ,

Continue reading Smallest and tightest knot ever tied is made of just 54 atoms