Engineers send a wireless curveball to deliver massive amounts of data

Researchers send a wireless curveball to deliver massive amounts of data
From left, researchers Haoze Chen, Yasaman Ghasempour, and Atsutse Kludze, have developed a system to curve ultrahigh frequency transmissions through a complex and dynamic environment. Credit: Aaron Nathans/Princeton University

High frequency radio waves can wirelessly carry the vast amount of data demanded by emerging technology like virtual reality, but as engineers push into the upper reaches of the radio spectrum, they are hitting walls. Literally.

Ultrahigh frequency bandwidths are easily blocked by objects, so users can lose transmissions walking between rooms or even passing a bookcase.

Now, researchers at Princeton Engineering have developed a machine-learning system that could allow ultrahigh frequency transmissions to dodge those obstacles...

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Strange spotted rock on Mars could reveal signs of ancient life

The original, untreated sample Heinz picked up on his Sedona hike, with spots similar to spots on the Mars Sapphire Canyon rock. Credit: Nicholas Heinz

Learning how to study the leopard-like spots found on both terrestrial and Martian rocks can prepare scientists for when the real samples arrive from space. A curious red Martian rock nicknamed Sapphire Canyon has scientists excited, as its spotted appearance hints at possible organic origins. On Earth, researchers tested a powerful laser technique, O-PTIR, on a similar rock found by chance in Arizona, proving it can rapidly and precisely reveal a material’s chemical makeup...

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COVID infection ages blood vessels, especially in women, research reveals

blood vessel
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A COVID infection, particularly in women, may lead to blood vessels aging around five years, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.

Blood vessels gradually become stiffer with age, but the new study suggests that COVID could accelerate this process. Researchers say this is important since people with stiffer blood vessels face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack.

The study was led by Professor Rosa Maria Bruno from Université Paris Cité, France. She said, “Since the pandemic, we have learned that many people who have had COVID are left with symptoms that can last for months or even years. However, we are still learning what’s happening in the body to create these symptoms.

“We k...

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Robots team up to explore planetary lava caves

Robot team used during the Lanzarote field trial along with scale bar. (A) Heterogeneous robot team. (B) Robot capabilities and used materials. Credit: Science Robotics (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adj9699

In the not-too-distant future, the search for signs of life on Mars and the moon could see the next generation of robots exploring a new frontier: subsurface lava tubes. These missions could also help us determine the best locations for establishing human bases.

To see whether this could be feasible, scientists tested three autonomous robots in a lava cave on the Spanish island of Lanzarote.

Lava tubes are deep underground caves formed by volcanic activity and are found in various parts of the world, as well as on Mars and the moon...

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