Under a microscope, root hairs grow into pyrogenic carbon particle, which enhance electron networks. Plants grow more efficiently than previously thought. Credit: Kelly Hanley/Lehmann Lab

All plants need electrons to aid biological and chemical tasks. Cornell scientists have discovered a new high-definition system that allows electrons to travel through soil farther and more efficiently than previously thought. “Microorganisms need electrons for everything they do. If they consume nutrients or spew out methane or expel carbon dioxide for any living, biological process they need electrons,” said Tianran Sun, postdoctoral researcher in soil and crop sciences.

Like large volumes of electricity that flow from Niagara Falls throughout upstate New York, electrons convey through soil via carbon...

Aaron McKay et al. Diamond-based concept for combining beams at very high average powers, Laser & Photonics Reviews (2017). DOI: 10.1002/lpor.201600130

In a world-leading study Macquarie University researchers have proven a method for multiplying laser power using diamond, demonstrating that a laser similar to the Star Wars ‘superlaser’ may no longer remain in science fiction. The research demonstrates a concept – reminiscent of the Star Wars Death Star sci-fi laser – where the power of multiple laser beams is transferred into a single intense output beam that can be directed to the intended target.
This new laser development has real-world and high-stakes applications in which high power lasers are seen as a key tool in areas such as defence.

“Researchers are developing high power las...

Left: The paths traced by the known Martian Trojans around L4 or L5 (crosses) relative to Mars (red disk) and the Sun (yellow disk). The dotted circle indicates the average Sun-Mars distance. Right: Enlargement of inset (dashed rectangle) showing the paths of the 8 L5 Trojans: 1998 VF31 (marked as “VF31” – blue), Eureka (red) and the 6 objects identified as family members (amber). The filled disks indicate the relative sizes of the asteroids. Eureka, the largest member, is about 2 km across. Credit: Apostolos Christou

Mars shares its orbit with the Trojans, a handful of small asteroids. Now an international team using the Very Large Telescope have found that most of these objects share a common composition; they are likely the remains of a mini-planet destroyed by a collision long ago...

Just five more minutes … can a coffee before a nap really help you pay back your sleep debt? Credit: www.shutterstock.com

Taking a nap is a common way of overcoming your sleepiness and repaying your sleep debt. Drinking coffee can also help us get through the day. In a 1997 study, 12 sleep-deprived people drank the equivalent of one large cup of brewed coffee and 5 minutes later had the chance to nap for 15 minutes. They then did some driving tests in a simulator to check their alertness. Although drinking a coffee (without a nap) helped their driving performance, combining caffeine with a nap (a coffee nap) improved it even further...