From hair waste to high-tech: Turning salon scraps into sunscreen

When you think of all the human hair that gets cut off and discarded every day in salons around the world … well, that’s a lot of wasted hair. That said, scientists in India have devised a new technique for extracting compounds from it, for use in prod… Continue reading From hair waste to high-tech: Turning salon scraps into sunscreen

40 years of Saturn data uncovers never-before-seen ring phenomenon

Saturn is renowned for its rings, easily visible through an ordinary telescope. Now, using observations collected over 40 years, scientists have discovered that the planet’s iconic rings may not be as calm as they look, uncovering a never-before-seen i… Continue reading 40 years of Saturn data uncovers never-before-seen ring phenomenon

GM patents self-cleaning touchscreens that erase fingerprints overnight

The system sounds relatively simple, but requires some fairly fundamental changes to the pixel array behind the screen. Where most screens use red, green and blue LEDs, set at different intensities, to create their full color palette, GM’s design would… Continue reading GM patents self-cleaning touchscreens that erase fingerprints overnight

Aurora uses UV rays and vacuum packing to boost foods’ fridge life

It’s always a shame when you buy fresh produce, only to have it spoil in the fridge before you can use it. The Aurora system is designed to keep that from happening, using a combination of ultraviolet light and vacuum packing.Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading Aurora uses UV rays and vacuum packing to boost foods’ fridge life

Hydrogen and UV breaks down toxic PFAS “forever” chemicals in water

PFAS are among the most insidious pollutants, thanks to their ubiquity, their long life and their growing list of linked health concerns. But now researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed a new method to break them down more… Continue reading Hydrogen and UV breaks down toxic PFAS “forever” chemicals in water

Remote controlled worms can follow stop and go lights

Scientists in Japan have demonstrated a technique that essentially allows them to remotely control the movements of worms. By implanting light-sensitive proteins into the organisms, the team was able to make them move under green light and stop under U… Continue reading Remote controlled worms can follow stop and go lights

Thin film boosts plant growth by converting sun’s UV rays into red light

In order to grow big and strong, plants require the red and blue light that are part of the visible “white” light produced by the sun. Scientists have now developed a plant-boosting film, that converts the sun’s UV light into more red light.Continue Re… Continue reading Thin film boosts plant growth by converting sun’s UV rays into red light

Sunlight exposure may help rehabilitate tumor-afflicted sea turtles

It’s a sad fact that many sea turtles now suffer from fibropapillomatosis, a disease in which debilitating tumors grow on various parts of the body. There may be new hope, however, as a recent study suggests that exposure to sunlight could help afflict… Continue reading Sunlight exposure may help rehabilitate tumor-afflicted sea turtles

Sun-powered water filter excels at killing pathogens

There are many parts of the world in which fresh water may be plentiful, but it’s also full of harmful microbes. An experimental new filter is able to purify such water for drinking, and it’s powered solely by sunlight.Continue ReadingCategory: Good Th… Continue reading Sun-powered water filter excels at killing pathogens