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    The Optical Fiber that Keeps Data Safe even after being Twisted or Bent

    January 12, 2023, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Physics

    A collection of optical fibres with light running through them
    Optical fibres developed by physicists at Bath will make communications networks more robust

    An optical fiber that uses the mathematical concept of topology to remain robust, thereby guaranteeing the high-speed transfer of information, has been created by physicists.

    Optical fibres are the backbone of our modern information networks. From long-range communication over the internet to high-speed information transfer within data centres and stock exchanges, optical fibre remains critical in our globalised world.

    Fibre networks are not, however, structurally perfect, and information transfer can be compromised when things go wrong...

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    Scientists find evidence for Magnetic Reconnection between Ganymede and Jupiter

    January 11, 2023, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Colorful arrows and dashed lines of data characterizing the magnetic topology and electron flow direction for two different reconnection scenarios at Danymede's magnetopause
    In June 2021, NASA’s Juno spacecraft flew close to Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon, observing evidence of magnetic reconnection. An SwRI-led team used Juno data to characterize the magnetic topology and electron flow direction for two different reconnection scenarios at Ganymede’s magnetopause. The yellow dashed line indicates Juno’s trajectory. Courtesy of SwRI/Jia et al. (2008)

    Juno spacecraft discovered magnetospheric fireworks as magnetic field lines merge and snap between the gas giant and its largest moon. In June 2021, NASA’s Juno spacecraft flew close to Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon, observing evidence of magnetic reconnection...

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    New Study puts Gut Microbiome at the Center of Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis

    January 11, 2023, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Fig. 2
     PD-associated species nominated by consensus of MaAsLin2 and ANCOM-BC. Analysis included N = 724 biologically independent samples from 490 PD and 234 neurologically healthy control (NHC) subjects. a 257 species (denoted by circles in the plot) were tested in microbiome-wide association study (MWAS) with two statistical methods: MaAsLin2 and ANCOM-BC. The results are shown according to significance (−log10 of the FDR) achieved by MaAslin2 (Y-axis) vs ANCOM-BC (X-axis). Corresponding untransformed FDR values are provided in parentheses on the X and Y axes for easier interpretation. 84 species were nominated as PD-associated, defined by FDR < 0.05 by one method and FDR≤0.1 by the other: 68 achieved FDR < 0.05 by both methods, 10 achieved ANCOM-BC MaAsLin2 FDR < 0.05 by MaAsLin2 and FDR≤0...
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    Chemical researchers discover Catalyst to make Renewable Paints, Coatings, and Diapers

    January 11, 2023, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Acrylic acid graphic
    University of Minnesota researchers have invented new catalyst technology that improves the process and substantially reduces the cost of manufacturing renewable chemicals that can be used in a wide range of products including paints, coatings and diapers. Graphic credit: John Beumer, NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers, University of Minnesota

    Research discovery will enable the manufacturing of biorenewable materials from trees and corn. A team led by University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers has invented a groundbreaking new catalyst technology that converts renewable materials like trees and corn to the key chemicals, acrylic acid, and acrylates used in paints, coatings, and superabsorbent polymers...

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