Author Archives: Michael Irving

World’s fastest microscope freezes time at 1 quintillionth of a second

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A new electron microscope can effectively freeze time, snapping images of events just 1 attosecond long

The subatomic world is hard to image not just because it’s incredibly tiny, but super fast too. Now physicists at the University of Arizona have developed the world’s fastest electron microscope to capture events lasting just one quintillionth of a second.

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Category: Physics, Science

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Spiders hack fireflies to attract more food to their webs

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Some species have an incredible knack for hacking others to get what they want. Scientists have now discovered a fascinating new example – some spiders have been seen manipulating fireflies’ flashes to attract more bugs to their webs.Continue ReadingCa… Continue reading Spiders hack fireflies to attract more food to their webs→

Room temperature metalworking inspired by insects and crab shells

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Metalworking usually requires very high heat and pressure, but scientists in Singapore have now demonstrated a way to make very pure metal structures at room temperature. It’s inspired by the exoskeletons of crabs and insects.Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading Room temperature metalworking inspired by insects and crab shells→

“Hidden consciousness” may be present in 25% of unresponsive patients

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A severe brain injury can leave patients unresponsive to stimuli, but they may be more aware than we realize. A new study of brain activity has shown that up to a quarter of unresponsive patients may exhibit “hidden consciousness.”Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading “Hidden consciousness” may be present in 25% of unresponsive patients→

New class of fat cells that do pointless busywork show weight-loss promise

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We’ve all done it before – spent time and effort on pointless tasks just so we look busy when the boss walks past. But now scientists have discovered a new type of fat cell in the body that does the same thing, burning energy and producing heat with po… Continue reading New class of fat cells that do pointless busywork show weight-loss promise→

LUNARSABER: Statue of Liberty-sized streetlights form Moon power grid

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If you’re on the Moon and your phone is about to die, there aren’t many places to plug in the charger. But Honeybee Robotics has outlined a plan to build a kind of power grid up there, with a network of Statue of Liberty-sized towers containing solar p… Continue reading LUNARSABER: Statue of Liberty-sized streetlights form Moon power grid→

LUNARSABER: Statue of Liberty-sized streetlights form Moon power grid

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If you’re on the Moon and your phone is about to die, there aren’t many places to plug in the charger. But Honeybee Robotics has outlined a plan to build a kind of power grid up there, with a network of Statue of Liberty-sized towers containing solar p… Continue reading LUNARSABER: Statue of Liberty-sized streetlights form Moon power grid→

Levitating nanodiamonds spin at 1.2 billion rpm in a vacuum

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Physicists at Purdue University have levitated nanoscale diamonds, hit them with lasers to make them flash and sent them spinning at an incredible 1.2 billion rpm. The experiments aren’t just about creating the “world’s smallest disco” but could help t… Continue reading Levitating nanodiamonds spin at 1.2 billion rpm in a vacuum→

Levitating nanodiamonds spin at 1.2 billion rpm in a vacuum

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Physicists at Purdue University have levitated nanoscale diamonds, hit them with lasers to make them flash and sent them spinning at an incredible 1.2 billion rpm. The experiments aren’t just about creating the “world’s smallest disco” but could help t… Continue reading Levitating nanodiamonds spin at 1.2 billion rpm in a vacuum→

Gluten reaction trigger identified, could lead to new celiac treatments

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Scientists have made a breakthrough that could lead to new treatment options for celiac patients. The team identified how and where the gluten response begins, with certain cells playing a bigger role than thought.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, Sci… Continue reading Gluten reaction trigger identified, could lead to new celiac treatments→