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Categories: Offbeat: Plants and Animals, Physics: General

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Biology: Zoology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Rain can spoil a wolf spider's day, too      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers found that wolf spiders can't signal others or perceive danger from predators as easily on rain-soaked leaves compared to dry ones. Even communicating with would-be mates is harder after it rains.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Chemists create a 2D heavy fermion      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have synthesized the first 2D heavy fermion. The material, a layered intermetallic crystal composed of cerium, silicon, and iodine (CeSiI), has electrons that are 1000x heavier and is a new platform to explore quantum phenomena.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Higher measurement accuracy opens new window to the quantum world      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team has developed a new measurement method that, for the first time, accurately detects tiny temperature differences in the range of 100 microkelvin in the thermal Hall effect. Previously, these temperature differences could not be measured quantitatively due to thermal noise. Using the well-known terbium titanate as an example, the team demonstrated that the method delivers highly reliable results. The thermal Hall effect provides information about coherent multi-particle states in quantum materials, based on their interaction with lattice vibrations (phonons).

Computer Science: General Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Ultrafast laser pulses could lessen data storage energy needs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A discovery from an experiment with magnetic materials and ultrafast lasers could be a boon to energy-efficient data storage.

Biology: General Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Males of newly described Australian burrowing scorpions have a big tail to tell      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study has found some surprising features in two new species of burrowing scorpions, including a very strangely shaped 'tail tip' and some 'sexy' anatomy features. Terrestrial biologists have taken a closer look at two new species of the mysterious Urodacus genus of burrowing scorpions endemic to Australia -- only to find a big difference in their tails compared to other species.

Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Nuclear Energy: Technology Environmental: General Physics: General
Published

A non-proliferation solution: Using antineutrinos to surveil nuclear reactors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Antineutrinos generated in nuclear fission can be measured to remotely monitor the operation of nuclear reactors and verify that they are not being used to produce nuclear weapons, report scientists. Thanks to a newly developed method, it is now possible to estimate a reactor's operation status, fuel burnup, and fuel composition based entirely on its antineutrino emissions. This technique could contribute massively to nuclear non-proliferation efforts and, in turn, safer nuclear energy.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Graphene Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Long live the graphene valley state      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers found evidence that bilayer graphene quantum dots may host a promising new type of quantum bit based on so-called valley states.

Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Sea Life Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Study uncovers mechanics of machete-like 'tail-whipping' in thresher sharks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Like Indiana Jones, thresher sharks have mastered the art of the whip using their tails. Now, new research provides intricate details showing that vertebrae anatomy might support the mechanics of extreme body bending in thresher sharks, enabling these expert hunters to weaponize their tails. Using micro-CT scanning similar to CAT scans in humans, and two-dimensional shape analysis, results of the study suggest vertebral anatomy and mineralized microstructure meet the demands required for fast swimming and tail-whipping behavior seen in these species.

Biology: Botany Chemistry: General Ecology: Endangered Species Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Artificial 'power plants' harness energy from wind and rain      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Fake plants are moving into the 21st century! Researchers developed literal 'power plants' -- tiny, leaf-shaped generators that create electricity from a blowing breeze or falling raindrops. The team tested the energy harvesters by incorporating them into artificial plants.

Physics: General
Published

The surface knows what lies beneath: Physicists show how to detect higher-order topological insulators      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Just like a book can't be judged by its cover, a material can't always be judged by its surface. But, for an elusive conjectured class of materials, physicists have now shown that the surface previously thought to be 'featureless' holds an unmistakable signature that could lead to the first definitive observation.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Tests can reveal whether an antibody can turn into a killer      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A promising antibody failed testing. This is good news for developing a broad-spectrum antidote against the world's most dangerous snake venoms.

Biology: Evolutionary Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: General
Published

Feeding mode of ancient vertebrate tested for first time      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A feeding method of the extinct jawless heterostracans, among the oldest of vertebrates, has been examined and dismissed by scientists, using fresh techniques.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Physicists identify overlooked uncertainty in real-world experiments      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The rules of statistical physics address the uncertainty about the state of a system that arises when that system interacts with its environment. But they've long missed another kind. In a new paper, researchers argue that uncertainty in the thermodynamic parameters themselves -- built into equations that govern the energetic behavior of the system -- may also influence the outcome of an experiment.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Energy: Nuclear Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Solid-state qubits: Forget about being clean, embrace mess      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New findings debunk previous wisdom that solid-state qubits need to be super dilute in an ultra-clean material to achieve long lifetimes. Instead, cram lots of rare-earth ions into a crystal and some will form pairs that act as highly coherent qubits, a new paper shows.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Earth Science Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Are bugs bugging humans or the other way around? Study reveals a few surprises      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research has determined key factors that impact biodiversity among spiders and insects in urban areas. The response of specific groups varied significantly, surprising the researchers. The study findings can help urban planners, landscapers, builders and homeowners make choices that increase biodiversity. Dozens of species previously unknown to science came to light through the study.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Researchers create light-powered yeast, providing insights into evolution, biofuels, cellular aging      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have engineered one of the world's first yeast cells able to harness energy from light, expanding our understanding of the evolution of this trait -- and paving the way for advancements in biofuel production and cellular aging.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Bridging light and electrons      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have merged nonlinear optics with electron microscopy, unlocking new capabilities in material studies and the control of electron beams.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Physics: General
Published

Molecularly designing polymer networks to control sound damping      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The world is filled with a myriad of sounds and vibrations -- the gentle tones of a piano drifting down the hall, the relaxing purr of a cat laying on your chest, the annoying hum of the office lights. Imagine being able to selectively tune out noises of a certain frequency. Researchers have now synthesized polymer networks with two distinct architectures and crosslink points capable of dynamically exchanging polymer strands to understand how the network connectivity and bond exchange mechanisms govern the overall damping behavior of the network. The incorporation of dynamic bonds into the polymer network demonstrates excellent damping of sound and vibrations at well-defined frequencies.

Archaeology: General Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Oldest known fossilized skin is 21 million years older than previous examples      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified a 3D fragment of fossilized skin that is at least 21 million years than previously described skin fossils. The skin, which belonged to an early species of Paleozoic reptile, has a pebbled surface and most closely resembles crocodile skin. It's the oldest example of preserved epidermis, the outermost layer of skin in terrestrial reptiles, birds, and mammals, which was an important evolutionary adaptation in the transition to life on land.

Computer Science: General Physics: General
Published

Revolutionizing real-time data processing with edge computing and reservoir technology      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Traditional cloud computing faces various challenges when processing large amounts of data in real time. 'Edge' computing is a promising alternative and can benefit from devices known as physical reservoirs. Researchers have now developed a novel memristor device for this purpose. It responds to electrical and optical signals and overcomes real-time processing limitations. When tested, it achieved up to 90.2% accuracy in digit identification, demonstrating its potential for applications in artificial intelligence systems and beyond.