Antihelium Nuclei as Messengers from the Depths of the Galaxy

Artistic illustration of antihelium annihilation in the  ALICE detector at CERN as well as in the universe.
Artistic illustration of antihelium annihilation in the ALICE detector at CERN as well as in the universe.

New findings lay the foundation for the search for dark matter. How are galaxies born, and what holds them together? Astronomers assume that dark matter plays an essential role. However, as yet it has not been possible to prove directly that dark matter exists. A research team including Technical University of Munich (TUM) scientists has now measured for the first time the survival rate of antihelium nuclei from the depths of the galaxy – a necessary prerequisite for the indirect search for Dark Matter.

Many things point to the existence of dark matter...

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Light Years Ahead: The Advanced Chip Shaping an Ultrafast Tech Future

Research led by Monash University, RMIT and the University of Adelaide has developed an accurate method of controlling optical circuits on fingernail-sized photonic integrated circuits.

The development, published in the journal Optica builds on the work by the same team who recently created the world’s first self-calibrated photonic chip.

Photonics, or the use of light particles to store and transmit information, is a burgeoning field, supporting our need to create faster, better, more efficient and more sustainable technology.

Programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs), offer diverse signal processing functions within a single chip, and present promising solutions for applications ranging from optical communications to artificial intelligence.

Whether it’s downloadi...

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VLA and ALMA study Jupiter and Io

VLA and ALMA study Jupiter and Io
Detail from a VLA image of Jupiter made in conjunction with observations by the Juno spacecraft in orbit around that planet. Credit: Moeckel, et al., Bill Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSF

VLA teams up with Juno spacecraft to study Jupiter’s atmosphere, and ALMA reveals new details about Io’s volcanoes. While the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) frequently reveal important new facts about objects far beyond our own Milky Way Galaxy — at distances of many millions or billions of light-years — they also are vital tools for unraveling much closer mysteries, right here in our own Solar System...

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A Mediterranean Diet not only Boosts Health, but also Improves Fertility

pregnancy_ Med diet shutterstock_2167477639_web.jpg

With an emphasis on fruits, vegetables and legumes, the Mediterranean diet has long been applauded for its multiple health benefits. Now, new research shows that it may also help overcome infertility, making it a non-intrusive and affordable strategy for couples trying to conceive.

Conducted by Monash University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and the University of South Australia, the review found that the Mediterranean diet can improve fertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART) success, and sperm quality in men.

Specifically, researchers identified that anti-inflammatory properties of a Mediterranean diet can improve couples’ chances of conception.

Infertility is a global health concern affecting 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide.

Uni...

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