Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Space Paleontology: General Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Tracking down the asteroid that sealed the fate of the dinosaurs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The asteroid that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago probably came from the outer solar system.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Rethinking the dodo      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers are setting out to challenge our misconceptions about the Dodo, one of the most well-known but poorly understood species of bird. Researchers have undertaken the most comprehensive review of the taxonomy of the Dodo and its closest relative, the Rodriguez Island Solitaire.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Versatile fluidic platform for programmable liquid processing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Society relies heavily on diverse fluidic technologies. The ability to precisely capture and release various chemical and biological fluids plays a fundamental role in many fields. A long-standing challenge is to design a platform that enables the switchable capture and release of liquids with precise spatial and temporal control and accurate volumes of the fluid. Recently, researchers have invented a new method to effectively overcome this challenge.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Research provides a roadmap for improving electrochemical performance      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study expands understanding on how electrons move through the conductive parts of complex fluids found in electrochemical devices such as batteries. This work can help overcome existing knowledge gaps for engineers seeking to improve the performance of these devices.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

New technique prints metal oxide thin film circuits at room temperature      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have demonstrated a technique for printing thin metal oxide films at room temperature, and have used the technique to create transparent, flexible circuits that are both robust and able to function at high temperatures.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Enhancing electron transfer for highly efficient upconversion OLEDs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Electron transfer is enhanced by minimal energetic driving force at the organic-semiconductor interface in upconversion (UC) organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), resulting in efficient blue UC-OLEDs with low extremely turn-on voltage, scientists show. Their findings deepen the understanding of electron transfer mechanisms in organic optoelectronic devices and can lead to the development of efficient new optoelectronics without energy loss.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Endangered Species Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Why do plants wiggle? New study provides answers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Decades after his voyage on the HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin became fascinated by why plants move as they grow -- spinning and twisting into corkscrews. Now, more than 150 years later, a new study may have solved the riddle.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Scientists create material that can take the temperature of nanoscale objects      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists recently discovered a one-dimensional nanoscale material whose color changes as temperature changes.

Anthropology: Cultures Anthropology: General Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

Rare archaeological site reveals 'surprising' Neanderthal behaviour at Pyrenees foothills      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An unchartered area in the foothills of the Southern Pyrenees in Spain is providing insights into a poorly known period of Neanderthal history, offering clues that could help archaeologists uncover the mystery of their downfall, according to new research.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Exploring the structures of xenon-containing crystallites      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Noble gases have a reputation for being unreactive, inert elements, but more than 60 years ago Neil Bartlett demonstrated the first way to bond xenon. He created XePtF6, an orange-yellow solid. Because it's difficult to grow sufficiently large crystals that contain noble gases, some of their structures -- and therefore functions -- remain elusive. Now, researchers have successfully examined tiny crystallites of noble gas compounds. They report structures of multiple xenon compounds.

Anthropology: Cultures Archaeology: General Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

Great Scott! Stonehenge's Altar Stone origins reveal advanced ancient Britain      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research has revealed Stonehenge's monumental six-ton Altar Stone, long believed to originate from Wales, actually hails from Scotland.

Biology: Botany Biology: Zoology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Giant fossil seeds from Borneo record ancient plant migration      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Ancient fossil beans about the size of modern limes, and among the largest seeds in the fossil record, may provide new insight into the evolution of today's diverse Southeast Asian and Australian rainforests, according to researchers who identified the plants.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
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Scientists achieve more than 98% efficiency removing nanoplastics from water      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in people, nanoplastics continue to build up, largely unnoticed, in the world's bodies of water. The challenge remains to develop a cost-effective solution to get rid of nanoplastics while leaving clean water behind. That's where Mizzou comes in. Recently, researchers created a new liquid-based solution that eliminates more than 98% of these microscopic plastic particles from water.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Chemists synthesize plant-derived molecules that hold potential as pharmaceuticals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Chemists developed a way to synthesize complex molecules called oligocyclotryptamines, originally found in plants, which could hold potential as antibiotics, analgesics, or anticancer drugs.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Technology
Published

Halogen bonding for selective electrochemical separation, path to sustainable chemical processing demonstrated      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team has reported the first demonstration of selective electrochemical separation driven by halogen bonding. This was achieved by engineering a polymer that modulates the charge density on a halogen atom when electricity is applied. The polymer then attracts only certain targets -- such as halides, oxyanions, and even organic molecules -- from organic solutions, a feature that has important implications for pharmaceuticals and chemical synthesis processes.

Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

New interpretation of runic inscription reveals pricing in Viking age      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new interpretation of the runic inscription on the Forsa Ring (Forsaringen in Swedish), provides fresh insights into the Viking Age monetary system and represents the oldest documented value record in Scandinavia. The inscription describes how the Vikings handled fines in a flexible and practical manner.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Biology: Zoology Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Rewriting the evolutionary history of critical components of the nervous system      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has rewritten the conventionally understood evolutionary history of certain ion channels -- proteins critical for electrical signaling in the nervous system. The study shows that the Shaker family of ion channels were present in microscopic single cell organisms well before the common ancestor of all animals and thus before the origin of the nervous system.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics
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Breakthrough in nanotechnology: Viewing the invisible with advanced microscopy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nanotechnology. They have developed a novel microscopy method that allows for the unprecedented visualization of nanostructures and their optical properties.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: General
Published

Innovative study unveils a new path in green chemistry      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have introduced a new advancement in the fight against climate change. Their study showcases a novel method for understanding the mechanisms of carbon dioxide re-utilization leading to fuels and chemicals. This work paves the road for the further optimization of this catalytic process driven by renewable electricity.