Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Ecology: Endangered Species Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Microneedle-based drug delivery technique for plants      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The agriculture industry is under pressure to adopt sustainable and precise agricultural practices that enable more efficient use of resources due to worsening environmental conditions resulting from climate change, an ever-expanding human population, limited resources, and a shortage of arable land. As a result, developing delivery systems that efficiently distribute micronutrients, pesticides, and antibiotics in crops is crucial to ensuring high productivity and high-quality produce while minimising resource waste. However, current and standard practices for agrochemical application in plants are inefficient. These practices cause significant detrimental environmental side effects, such as water and soil contamination, biodiversity loss and degraded ecosystems; and public health concerns, such as respiratory problems, chemical exposure and food contamination.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

Fats help tag medical implants as friend or foe      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Bioengineers found that lipid deposition on the surfaces of medical implants can play a mediating role between the body and implants, knowledge that could help scientists develop biomaterials or coatings for implants that could reduce malfunction rates.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Understanding sound direction estimation in monaural hearing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

One of the fascinating features of human hearing is its ability to localize sound. While the human ear usually does this with binaural cues, it is, in fact, possible to locate sound direction with monaural hearing alone. Now, researchers have developed a method to estimate the direction of sound signals in 3D space using monaural cues based on monaural modulation spectrum that could help simplify sound surveillance techniques and enhance hearing aid instruments.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

Attracting stem cells and facilitating bone regeneration by adhesive protein      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have developed an osteogenic barrier coating material that maximizes the effect of guided bone regeneration (GBR) for implant placements.

Biology: Evolutionary Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Scientists transform algae into unique functional perovskites with tunable properties      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have transformed single-cell algae into functional perovskite materials. The team has converted mineral shells of algae into lead halide perovskites with tunable physical properties. The new perovskites have unique nano-architectures unachievable by conventional synthetic production. The method can be applied to the mass production of perovskites with tunable structural and electro-optical properties from single-celled organisms.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Scientists demonstrate time reflection of electromagnetic waves in a groundbreaking experiment      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have hypothesized for over six decades the possibility of observing a form of wave reflections known as temporal, or time, reflections. Researchers detail a breakthrough experiment in which they were able to observe time reflections of electromagnetic signals in a tailored metamaterial.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

New AI model transforms understanding of metal-organic frameworks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a new AI model that significantly improves the understanding of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), promising materials for hydrogen storage and other applications.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

New ultrasound method could lead to easier disease diagnosis      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new ultrasound method that can measure the level of tension in human tissue -- a key indicator of disease -- has been developed.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

The future of touch      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Haptic holography promises to bring virtual reality to life, but a new study reveals a surprising physical obstacle that will need to be overcome.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Ultrasound device may offer new treatment option for hypertension      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new device that calms overactive kidney nerves with ultrasound consistently lowered blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, researchers have found.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Physics: Optics
Published

Faster and sharper whole-body imaging of small animals with deep learning      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team presents technology that enhances photoacoustic computed tomography using a deep-learning approach.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Study offers details on using electric fields to tune thermal properties of ferroelectric materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research sheds light on how electric fields can be used to alter the thermal properties of ferroelectric materials, allowing engineers to manipulate the flow of heat through the materials. Ferroelectric materials are used in a wide variety of applications, from ultrasound devices to memory storage technologies.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

First wearable device for vocal fatigue senses when your voice needs a break      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed the first smart wearable device to continuously track how much people use their voices, alerting them to overuse before vocal fatigue and potential injury set in. The soft, flexible, postage-stamp-sized device comfortably adheres to the upper chest to sense the subtle vibrations associated with talking and singing. From there, the captured data is instantaneously streamed via Bluetooth to the users' smartphone or tablet, so they can monitor their vocal activities in real time throughout the day and measure cumulative total vocal usage. Custom machine-learning algorithms distinguish the difference between speaking and singing, enabling singers to separately track each activity.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound Space: Exploration
Published

The roar and crackle of Artemis 1      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When the Artemis 1 mission was launched in November, it became the world's most powerful rocket, and with liftoff came a loud roar heard miles away. Researchers report noise measurements during the launch at different locations around Kennedy Space Center. The data collected can be used to validate existing noise prediction models, which are needed to protect equipment as well as the surrounding environment and community.

Biology: Developmental Offbeat: Plants and Animals Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Creating 3D objects with sound      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have created a new technology to assemble matter in 3D. Their concept uses multiple acoustic holograms to generate pressure fields with which solid particles, gel beads and even biological cells can be printed. These results pave the way for novel 3D cell culture techniques with applications in biomedical engineering.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Focused ultrasound technique leads to release of neurodegenerative disorders biomarkers      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research found that using focused-ultrasound-mediated liquid biopsy in a mouse model released more tau proteins and another biomarker into the blood than without the intervention. This noninvasive method could facilitate diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, the researchers said.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Wearable sensor uses ultrasound to provide cardiac imaging on the go      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers and physicians have developed a wearable ultrasound device that can assess both the structure and function of the human heart. The portable device, which is roughly the size of a postage stamp, can be worn for up to 24 hours and works even during strenuous exercise.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

A precision arm for miniature robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Until now, microscopic robotic systems have had to make do without arms. Now researchers have developed an ultrasonically actuated glass needle that can be attached to a robotic arm. This lets them pump and mix minuscule amounts of liquid and trap particles.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Tracking radiation treatment in real time promises safer, more effective cancer therapy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Radiation, used to treat half of all cancer patients, can be measured during treatment for the first time with precise 3D imaging. By capturing and amplifying tiny sound waves created when X-rays heat tissues in the body, medical professionals can map the radiation dose within the body, giving them new data to guide treatments in real time. It's a first-of-its-kind view of an interaction doctors have previously been unable to 'see.'