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Categories: Engineering: Biometric, Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms
Published Chocolate 'fingerprints' could confirm label claims


The flavor and aroma of a fine chocolate emerge from its ecology, in addition to its processing. But can you be certain that the bar you bought is really from the exotic locale stated on the wrapper? Now, researchers are presenting a method for determining where a particular chocolate was produced by looking at its chemical 'fingerprint.'
Published Smartphone videos produce highly realistic 3D face reconstructions


Normally, it takes pricey equipment and expertise to create an accurate 3D reconstruction of someone's face. Now, researchers have pulled off the feat using video recorded on an ordinary smartphone. Shooting a continuous video of the front and sides of the face generates a dense cloud of data. A two-step process uses that data, with some help from deep learning algorithms, to build a digital reconstruction of the face.
Published Solar storms may leave gray whales 'blind' and stranded


A new study offers some of the first evidence that gray whales might depend on a magnetic sense to find their way through the ocean. This evidence comes from the discovery that whales are more likely to strand themselves on days when solar storms disrupt Earth's magnetic field.
Published Lasers and terahertz waves combined in camera that sees 'unseen' detail


A team of physicists has successfully developed the first nonlinear camera capable of capturing high-resolution images of the interior of solid objects using terahertz (THz) radiation.
Published Is it hemp or marijuana? New scanner gives instant answer


Hemp is technically legal in Texas, but proving that hemp is not marijuana can be a hurdle, requiring testing in a licensed laboratory. Now, a team of researchers have created a 'hemp scanner' that could easily fit in a police cruiser and distinguish hemp and marijuana instantly, without damaging any of the product.
Published Experimental fingerprint test can distinguish between those who have taken or handled cocaine


An experimental fingerprint detection approach can identify traces of cocaine on human skin, even after someone has washed their hands -- and the test is also smart enough to tell whether an individual has actually consumed the class A drug, or simply handled it.
Published Anti-solar cells: A photovoltaic cell that works at night


What if solar cells worked at night? That's no joke. In fact, a specially designed photovoltaic cell could generate up to 50 watts of power per square meter under ideal conditions at night, about a quarter of what a conventional solar panel can generate in daytime, according to a recent concept article.
Published Space super-storm likelihood estimated from longest period of magnetic field observations


A 'great' space weather super-storm large enough to cause significant disruption to our electronic and networked systems occurred on average once in every 25 years according to a new study.
Published Residues in fingerprints hold clues to their age


Police have long relied on the unique whorls, loops or arches encoded in fingerprints to identify suspects. However, they have no way to tell how long ago those prints were left behind -- information that could be crucial to a case. A preliminary new study suggests that could change. Researchers report that they could link compounds contained in fingerprints with their age.
Published Low power metal detector senses magnetic fingerprints


Recent studies have shown metallic objects have their own magnetic fingerprints based on size, shape and physical composition. Scientists look to leverage these observations to potentially create a smaller and cheaper system that is just as effective as their larger counterparts.
Published Improving efficiency, effectiveness of security X-ray technology


The smuggling of contraband is a threat in airport security and risks have increased in modern times with the uptick in parcel delivery, but security inspection methods have not seen any significant improvements. Researchers propose a technique for efficient detection of contraband items. Typically, airport security uses X-ray imaging to quickly scan baggage, but this suffers limitations. To address this, luggage with suspicious X-ray results undergoes supplementary screening using energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction.
Published Scientists identify harmful bacteria based on its DNA at a very low cost


Currently, the detection of food poison outbreaks caused by bacteria takes a long time and is expensive, but this does not have to be the case in the future. Researchers have found a method for the precise identification of bacteria in just a few hours on a mobile-phone-sized device that costs about 200 times less than alternative approaches.
Published Finding a killer electron hot spot in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts


JAXA and NASA satellite observations show where killer electrons are generated in the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding Earth.
Published Tiny devices made of DNA detect cancer with fewer false alarms


A new cancer-detecting tool uses tiny circuits made of DNA to identify cancer cells by the molecular signature on their surface. The circuits work by attaching to the outside of a cell and analyzing it for proteins that are more abundant on some cell types than others. The devices distinguish cell types with higher specificity than previous methods, giving researchers hope their work could improve diagnosis, or give cancer therapies better aim.
Published Fingerprint test can distinguish between those who have taken or handled heroin


A state-of-the-art fingerprint detection technology can identify traces of heroin on human skin, even after someone has washed their hands -- and it is also smart enough to tell whether an individual has used the drug or shaken hands with someone who has handled it.
Published Quantum chip 1,000 times smaller than current setups


Researchers have developed a quantum communication chip that is 1,000 times smaller than current quantum setups, but offers the same superior security quantum technology is known for.
Published Making connections: Bringing astrophysical processes down to Earth


Magnetic reconnection, a process in which magnetic field lines tear and come back together, releasing large amounts of kinetic energy, occurs throughout the universe. The process gives rise to auroras, solar flares and geomagnetic storms that can disrupt cell phone service and electric grids on Earth. A major challenge in the study of magnetic reconnection, however, is bridging the gap between these large-scale astrophysical scenarios and small-scale experiments that can be done in a lab.
Published Lighting the path to renewable energy


Scientists have developed a novel, standardized way of quantifying and comparing these variations in solar power. The new study may help guide the development and performance of solar photovoltaic farms -- systems that harness the sun's energy and convert it to electricity.
Published Unlock your smartphone with earbuds


A research team is developing EarEcho, a biometric tool that uses modified wireless earbuds to authenticate smartphone users via the unique geometry of their ear canal. A prototype of the system proved roughly 95% effective.
Published Nanowires replace Newton's famous glass prism


Scientists have designed an ultra-miniaturized device that could directly image single cells without the need for a microscope or make chemical fingerprint analysis possible from a smartphone.