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    Researchers report Game-Changing Technology to Remove 99% of Carbon Dioxide from Air

    February 7, 2022, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Environment/Geology

    University of Delaware researchers have broken new ground that could bring more environmentally friendly fuel cells closer to commercialization. Credit: Graphic illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase

    University of Delaware (UD) engineers have demonstrated a way to effectively capture 99% of carbon dioxide from air using a novel electrochemical system powered by hydrogen.

    It is a significant advance for carbon dioxide capture and could bring more environmentally friendly fuel cells closer to market.

    The research team, led by UD Professor Yushan Yan, reported their method in Nature Energy on Thursday, February 3.

    Fuel cells work by converting fuel chemical energy directly into electricity. They can be used in transportation for things like hybrid or zero-emission vehicles.

    Yan, Hen...

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    Origin of Supermassive Black Hole Flares identified: Largest-ever simulations suggest Flickering powered by Magnetic ‘Reconnection’

    February 7, 2022, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    A snapshot from one of the new black hole simulations. Here, green magnetic field lines are overlaid on a map of hot plasma. Just outside the black hole’s event horizon, the connection of magnetic field lines pointing in opposite directions makes an X-point where they crisscross. This process of reconnection launches some particles in the plasma into the black hole and others into space, an important step in the generation of black hole flares. B. Ripperda et al., Astrophysical Journal Letters 2022

    Black holes aren’t always in the dark. Astronomers have spotted intense light shows shining from just outside the event horizon of supermassive black holes, including the one at our galaxy’s core...

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    Exercise can Provide Relief for Dry, Itchy Eyes

    February 5, 2022, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Making time for regular exercise can make your eyes feel better. A team led by researchers from the University of Waterloo discovered that a significant increase in tear secretion and tear film stability after participating in aerobic exercise can be another remedy for relieving dry, itchy eyes.

    Every time we blink, our eyes are covered in tear film — an essential protective coating necessary for maintaining healthy ocular function. Healthy tear film comprises three layers-oil, water, and mucin-that work together to hydrate the ocular surface and protect against infection-causing irritants like dust or dirt.

    When any part of the tear film becomes unstable, the ocular surface can develop dry spots, causing eye symptoms like itchiness or stinging and burning sensations.

    “With s...

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    The Brain’s Secret to Life-Long Learning can now come as Hardware for Artificial Intelligence

    February 4, 2022, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    An electronic chip that can be reprogrammed on demand may enable artificial intelligence to learn more continuously like the human brain does, researchers have discovered. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)

    When the human brain learns something new, it adapts. But when artificial intelligence learns something new, it tends to forget information it already learned.

    As companies use more and more data to improve how AI recognizes images, learns languages and carries out other complex tasks, a paper publishing in Science this week shows a way that computer chips could dynamically rewire themselves to take in new data like the brain does, helping AI to keep learning over time.

    “The brains of living beings can continuously learn throughout their lifespan...

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