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    A Miniature Robot that could check Colons for Early Signs of Disease

    June 20, 2019, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Health/Medical

    Engineers have shown it is technically possible to guide a tiny robotic capsule inside the colon to take micro-ultrasound images. Known as a Sonopill, the device could one day replace the need for patients to undergo an endoscopic examination, where a semi-rigid scope is passed into the bowel – an invasive procedure that can be painful.
    The Sonopill is a small capsule – with a diameter of 21mm and length of 39mm, which the engineers say can be scaled down. The capsule houses a micro ultrasound transducer, an LED light, camera and magnet.

    Engineers have shown it is technically possible to guide a tiny robotic capsule inside the colon to take micro-ultrasound images. Known as a Sonopill, the device could one day replace the need for patients to undergo an endoscopic examination, where a semi-rigid scope is passed into the bowel – an invasive procedure that can be painful.

    Micro-ultrasound images also have the advantage of being better able to identify some types of cell change associated with cancer...

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    NASA’s Cassini reveals New Sculpting in Saturn Rings

    June 20, 2019, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    A false-color image mosaic shows Daphnis, one of Saturn’s ring-embedded moons, and the waves it kicks up in the Keeler gap. Images collected by Cassini’s close orbits in 2017 are offering new insight into the complex workings of the rings.
    Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

    As NASA’s Cassini dove close to Saturn in its final year, the spacecraft provided intricate detail on the workings of Saturn’s complex rings, new analysis shows. Although the mission ended in 2017, science continues to flow from the data collected. A new paper published June 13 in Science describes results from four Cassini instruments taking their closest-ever observations of the main rings.

    Findings include fine details of features sculpted by masses embedded within the rings...

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    Developing a New Type of Refrigeration via Force-driven Liquid Gas Transition

    June 19, 2019, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    The cooling effect incused by sandwiched nanosponge â’¸Hirotomo Nishihara

    A research team has made a groundbreaking discovery in the quest to replace hydrofluorocarbons in refrigeration systems with natural refrigerants such as water and alcohol. Their study involved carrying-out a liquid-to-gas phase transition via a nanosponge, a soft, elastic material equipped with small nanopores less than 10 nanometers. Their findings could lead to more efficient refrigerants with a smaller carbon footprint.

    Refrigeration systems are widely used in air conditioners and refrigerators. Conventional systems use hydrofluorocarbons as a refrigerant. However, hydrofluorocarbons are super pollutants. Their Global Warming Potential is about 1300 times higher than that of CO2.

    The team of researcher...

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    Vest helps Athletes keep their Cool

    June 19, 2019, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Hasegawa and Yudai Chaen (lead author of the paper) measure the heart rate, sweat rate, muscle activity and temperature of the athlete while exercising in a hot and humid environment (35°C at 50% humidity).
    CREDIT
    Hiroshima University

    A new cooling vest for sports athletes may ensure everyone can compete safely in sweltering summer conditions such as the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics. Strategies to cope with body heat in sports is a pressing issue. The Tokyo Olympics will be held in the hot and muggy Japanese summer where the ambient temperature is expected to be above 33°C. Athletes have to worry about performing under pressure of the high-stakes competition but also now have to deal with a very hot and humid climate...

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