SciCon Nexus

Researchers have developed a method for creating sensors that can operate both in air and underwater, paving the way for " amphibious " sensors with potential applications ranging from wildlife monitoring to biomedical uses. The research focuses on strain sensors, which measure deformation, allowing them to track stretching, bending, and movement. " For instance, there is interest in developing strain sensors for biomedical purposes, such as monitoring the behavior of blood vessels and other biological systems ," says Shuang Wu , the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University. " Other potential applications include tracking how fish move underwater and monitoring wildlife health ." However, a significant challenge in designing wearable or implantable strain sensors is ensuring they function effectively in wet environments, notes Yong Zhu , the corresponding author and Andrew A. Adams Distinguished Professor

Gold isn't naturally suited for forming long, thin threads, but researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have successfully created gold nanowires and developed soft electrodes that can connect to the nervous system. These electrodes are as soft as nerves, stretchable, and electrically conductive, with the potential to remain functional in the body for extended periods. While the saying " heart of gold " is well-known, " nerves of gold " could become a reality in the future. This precious metal might be used in soft interfaces to connect electronics with the nervous system for medical applications. Such technology could help treat conditions like epilepsy , Parkinson's disease , paralysis , or chronic pain . However, integrating electronics with the brain or other parts of the nervous system presents unique challenges. " Traditional conductors used in electronics are metals, which are very hard and rigid. The nervous system, on the other hand, re

The report highlights the release of millions of pounds of chemicals, greenhouse gas emissions, and violations of environmental regulations. Many of these chemicals, including carcinogens like ethylene oxide and formaldehyde , pose potential health risks to nearby communities. The greenhouse gas emissions contribute to localized pollution issues, such as increased ozone and particulate matter, as well as to broader climate change. The report analyzed data on 272 chemicals and 350 facilities from the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory for the years 2018-2022. This database compiles self-reported chemical releases from industrial sources, including spills, leaks, and emissions. Among the 350 facilities analyzed, three — ExxonMobil , Chevron Phillips Chemical , and LyondellBasell — were responsible for over 19 million pounds of chemical releases, accounting for about 60% of all pollution releases in Harris County during this period. Air Alliance identified the region’s top 12 industri

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) , the private company Tokamak Energy , and Kyushu University in Japan have proposed a design for a compact, spherical fusion pilot plant that heats plasma using only microwaves. Typically, spherical tokamaks use a massive copper coil called a solenoid , located near the center of the vessel, to heat the plasma. Neutral beam injection , which involves applying beams of uncharged particles to the plasma, is also commonly used. However, similar to how a smaller kitchen is easier to design with fewer appliances, a compact tokamak would be simpler and more economical with fewer heating systems. This new approach eliminates ohmic heating , which is the same type of heating used in toasters and is standard in tokamaks. “A compact, spherical tokamak plasma resembles a cored apple with a relatively small core, so there isn’t space for an ohmic heating coil,” said Masayuki Ono , a principal research ph

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bird flu has re-emerged in the Midwest sooner than expected after several months of inactivity. The highly pathogenic disease has been detected in two commercial turkey flocks in western Minnesota and a hobby flock in Indiana, officials announced on Wednesday. The disease was identified after a farm in Meeker County reported increased mortality last weekend, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health . The affected flock was euthanized to prevent further spread. A second flock in the county tested positive on Tuesday evening. These are the first cases of avian influenza in Minnesota since May 31, when a backyard flock in Becker County was affected. Indiana’s case is its first since a backyard flock tested positive on June 8, which was the last detection in the Midwest until this week. There have also been several detections in western states in July and August, including California, where over 425,000 chickens and turkeys have been culled from half a dozen com

In a promising development for the demand for safer and more effective antibiotics, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have utilized artificial intelligence to create a new drug that is already showing positive results in animal trials. Published in Nature Biomedical Engineering , the scientists detail how they used a large language model—an AI tool similar to the one behind ChatGPT—to redesign a previously toxic bacteria-killing drug to make it safe for human use. The outlook for patients with severe bacterial infections has worsened in recent years due to the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains and the stagnation in developing new treatments. However, UT researchers believe AI tools are transformative. “ We have found that large language models represent a significant advancement for machine learning applications in protein and peptide engineering ,” said Claus Wilke , professor of integrative biology and statistics and data sciences, and co-senior author of the new

  Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a groundbreaking technique for synthesizing commonly used polymers , such as polystyrene , through radical polymerization . This method employs a remote spark discharge from a Tesla coil, a high-voltage, high-frequency generator, which allows the reaction to occur without traditional catalysts or polymerization initiators. The study, published in the journal Next Materials , marks a significant advancement in synthetic polymer chemistry. Polymers like polystyrene and  acrylic resins are widely used in various plastic products, including food containers, packaging materials, and thermal cases. Traditionally, metal catalysts and radical polymerization initiators are required for their synthesis. The research team, known for developing several techniques for polymerizing conductive polymers, has introduced a novel approach in their latest study. This method involves generating monomer radicals via remote spark discharge using a

  A group of small, freshwater animals protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes "stolen" from bacteria, according to new research by a team from the University of Oxford , the University of Stirling , and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) , Woods Hole. The tiny creatures are called bdelloid rotifers , which means 'crawling wheel-animals'. They have a head, mouth, gut, muscles, and nerves like other animals, though they are smaller than a hair's breadth. When these rotifers are exposed to fungal infection, the study found, they switch on hundreds of genes that they acquired from bacteria and other microbes. Some of these genes produce resistance weapons, such as antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents, in the rotifers. The team reports its findings this week in Nature Communications . Prior research found that rotifers have been picking up DNA from their surroundings for millions of years, but the new study is the first to discover them u

Regular aspirin use may help lower the risk of colorectal cancer in people with greater lifestyle-related risk factors, according to a study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham . Published in JAMA Oncology, the study suggests a more nuanced approach to preventive aspirin use. " We sought to identify individuals who are more likely to benefit from aspirin to facilitate more personalized prevention strategies, " said co-senior author Andrew Chan , MD, MPH, Director of Epidemiology for the Mass General Cancer Center and gastroenterology Director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) . Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute . Previously, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended daily low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events and colorectal cancer in adults ages 50 to 59, the highest risk age group for colorectal cance

A new study suggests that two of the planet's more pressing environmental stressors have the potential to alter the growth and reproductive output of plants found along the world's coastlines. Published in the journal Environmental Pollution , the research is one of the first to examine the combined effects of seawater flooding and microplastic pollution on coastal plants. The study found that both stressors impacted the species tested, with microplastics affecting the plants reproduction and flooding causing greater tissue death. However, exposure to both microplastics and flooding together—an increasing threat due to climate change and plastic use—had a more pronounced impact on the plants resource allocation. This led to altered growth and short-term suppression of photosynthetic efficiency , affecting the plants ability to capture water, nutrients, and sunlight, and contributing to ecosystem wellbeing. Led by experts in plastic pollution and plant biology from the Univer

Traditionally, rigorous exercise before bedtime has been discouraged, but recent research from the University of Otago suggests that brief periods of light activity might actually improve sleep. In a groundbreaking study published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine and funded by the Health Research Council , participants engaged in two four-hour evening sessions, either sitting continuously or sitting with three-minute activity breaks every half hour. The results showed that participants who took the activity breaks slept 30 minutes longer. Jennifer Gale , a PhD candidate in the Department of Human Nutrition and lead author of the study, notes that prolonged sitting is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease , and premature death . " Many people experience their longest period of uninterrupted sitting at home in the evening. Our previous research has demonstrated that brief bouts of exercise every 30 minutes can lower blood sugar and fat levels aft

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI)  has reached the healthcare sector, particularly radiology, where AI-driven diagnostic systems are increasingly being adopted to support radiologists. However, this surge in AI technology raises concerns about its environmental impact, prompting the need for more sustainable AI practices. Associate Professor Daiju Ueda from Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Medicine , a member of the Japan Radiological Society , spearheaded a research review focusing on the environmental implications of AI. This review involved key figures from the Japan Radiological Society and medical researchers who examined the energy consumption of AI systems, the carbon footprint of data centers, and issues related to electronic waste. The review proposed several solutions to address these environmental concerns, including the development of energy-efficient AI models, adoption of green computing practices, and the use of renewable energ