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Categories: Engineering: Nanotechnology, Offbeat: Space
Published Plate tectonics not required for the emergence of life



New finding contradicts previous assumptions about the role of mobile plate tectonics in the development of life on Earth. Moreover, the data suggests that 'when we're looking for exoplanets that harbor life, the planets do not necessarily need to have plate tectonics,' says the lead author of a new paper.
Published Key building block for life found at Saturn's moon Enceladus



The search for extraterrestrial life in our solar system just got more exciting. A team of scientists has discovered new evidence that the subsurface ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus contains a key building block for life. The team directly detected phosphorus in the form of phosphates originating from the moon's ice-covered global ocean using data from NASA's Cassini mission. Cassini explored Saturn and its system of rings and moons for over 13 years.
Published Pass the salt: This space rock holds clues as to how Earth got its water



The discovery of tiny salt grains in a sample from an asteroid provides strong evidence that liquid water may be more common in the solar system than previously thought.
Published Researchers describe the melting of gold nanoparticles in gold-bearing fluids in the Earth's crust



Gold is a precious metal that has always fascinated humans. From Priam's Treasure to the legend of El Dorado, gold --regarded as the noblest of metals-- has been a symbol of splendour and wealth in many civilizations. Historically, gold deposits were known to form when metal was transported dissolved by hot aqueous solution flows --hydrothermal fluids-- until it accumulated in some areas in the Earth's upper crust. The recent discovery of gold nanoparticles in such mineral deposits has brought some doubts on the validity of the classical model.
Published Flaring star could be down to young planet's disc inferno



New simulations offer new explanation for star's 85-year flare. In this scenario, a young giant planet is burning up very close to its star, suggesting solar systems may have hosted many of such planets that have since 'evaporated'.
Published A new Tatooine-like multi-planetary system identified



An international team of astronomers has announced the second-ever discovery of a multiplanetary circumbinary system.
Published New material transforms light, creating new possibilities for sensors



A new class of materials that can absorb low energy light and transform it into higher energy light might lead to more efficient solar panels, more accurate medical imaging and better night vision goggles.
Published Mori3: A polygon shape-shifting robot for space travel



By combining inspiration from the digital world of polygon meshing and the biological world of swarm behavior, the Mori3 robot can morph from 2D triangles into almost any 3D object. The research shows the promise of modular robotics for space travel.
Published Astronomers discover supernova explosion through rare 'cosmic magnifying glasses'



An international team of scientists recently discovered an exceptionally rare gravitationally lensed supernova, which the team named 'SN Zwicky.' Located more than 4 billion light years away, the supernova was magnified nearly 25 times by a foreground galaxy acting as a lens. The discovery presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to learn more about the inner cores of galaxies, dark matter and the mechanics behind universe expansion.
Published New method enables study of nano-sized particles



Researchers have created a new method of studying the smallest bioparticles in the body. The study has considerable scientific potential, such as in the development of more effective vaccines.
Published Breaking through the limits of stretchable semiconductors with molecular brakes that harness light



A research team develops a highly stretchable and high-performance organic polymer semiconductor.
Published Using photosynthesis for Martian occupation -- while making space travel more sustainable



Researchers are working on sustainable technology to harvest solar power in space -- which could supplement life support systems on the Moon and Mars.
Published Elusive planets play 'hide and seek' with CHEOPS



Astronomers have clearly identified the existence of four new exoplanets. The four mini-Neptunes are smaller and cooler, and more difficult to find than the so-called Hot Jupiter exoplanets which have been found in abundance.
Published Long missions, frequent travel take a toll on astronauts' brains



A study looking at how the human brain reacts to traveling outside Earth's gravity suggests frequent flyers should wait three years after longer missions to allow the physiological changes in their brains to reset.
Published What made the brightest cosmic explosion of all time so exceptional?



Last year, telescopes around the world registered the brightest cosmic explosion of all time. Astrophysicists can now explain what made it so dazzling.
Published Heart valves made in minutes control blood flow immediately after being implanted into sheep



Researchers have developed a method for cheaply producing heart valves in the span of minutes that are functional immediately after being implanted into sheep. The scientists call their method 'Focused Rotary Jet Spinning,' which they describe as 'a cotton-candy machine with a hair dryer behind it.' Though long-term in vivo studies are needed to test the valves' endurance, they effectively controlled blood flow for an hour in sheep.
Published 'Heat highways' could keep electronics cool



As smart electronic devices become smaller and more powerful, they can generate a lot of heat, leading to slower processing times and sudden shutdowns. Now researchers use an electrospinning approach to produce a new nanocomposite film. In tests, the film dissipated heat four times more efficiently than similar materials, showing that it could one day be used to keep electronics cool.
Published Programmable 3D printed wound dressing could improve treatment for burn, cancer patients



Researchers have created a new type of wound dressing material using advanced polymers. This new dressing could enhance the healing process for burn patients and have potential applications for drug delivery in cancer treatment as well as in the cosmetic industry.
Published The problems with coal ash start smaller than anyone thought



Burning coal doesn't only pollute the air. The resulting ash can leach toxic chemicals into the local environments where it's kept. New research shows that the toxicity of various ash stockpiles relies heavily on its nanoscale structures, which vary widely between sources. The results will help researchers predict which coal ash is most environmentally dangerous.
Published Webb Space Telescope detects universe's most distant complex organic molecules



Researchers have detected complex organic molecules in a galaxy more than 12 billion light-years away from Earth -- the most distant galaxy in which these molecules are now known to exist. Thanks to the capabilities of the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope and careful analyses from the research team, a new study lends critical insight into the complex chemical interactions that occur in the first galaxies in the early universe.