Chemistry: General Energy: Alternative Fuels Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Measuring Martian winds with sound      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Martian landers have been able capture measurements of wind speeds -- some gauging the cooling rate of heated materials when winds blow over them, others using cameras to image 'tell-tales' that blow in the wind -- but there's still room for improvement. Researchers now demonstrate a novel sonic anemometric system featuring a pair of narrow-band piezoelectric transducers to measure the travel time of sound pulses through Martian air. The study accounted for variables including transducer diffraction effects and wind direction.

Chemistry: General Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Delivery robots' green credentials make them more attractive to consumers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The smaller carbon footprint, or wheel print, of automatic delivery robots can encourage consumers to use them when ordering food, according to a new study. The suitcase-sized, self-driving electric vehicles are much greener than many traditional food delivery methods because they have low, or even zero, carbon emissions. In this study, participants who had more environmental awareness and knowledge about carbon emissions were more likely to choose the robots as a delivery method. The green influence went away though when people perceived the robots as a high-risk choice -- meaning they worried that their food would be late, cold or otherwise spoiled before it arrived.

Space: General
Published

MIT researchers use large language models to flag problems in complex systems      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers used large language models to efficiently detect anomalies in time-series data, without the need for costly and cumbersome training steps. This method could someday help alert technicians to potential problems in equipment like wind turbines or satellites.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New method for orchestrating successful collaboration among robots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research shows that programming robots to create their own teams and voluntarily wait for their teammates results in faster task completion, with the potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture and warehouse automation.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General
Published

Engineers make tunable, shape-changing metamaterial inspired by vintage toys      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Common push puppet toys in the shapes of animals and popular figures can move or collapse with the push of a button at the bottom of the toys' base. Now, a team of engineers has created a new class of tunable dynamic material that mimics the inner workings of push puppets, with applications for soft robotics, reconfigurable architectures and space engineering.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Scientists find oceans of water on Mars: It's just too deep to tap      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Quakes and meteor impacts on Mars generate seismic waves that can help map the interior. A new study analyzed seismic waves detected by the Insight lander and concludes that 11-20 kilometers beneath the surface, a zone of pores and fractures is filled with liquid water -- more than was thought to fill Mars' surface oceans before they disappeared 3 billion years ago. Though too deep to drill, the reservoir is a possible refuge for life.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

Redefining the computer whiz: Research shows diverse skills valued by youth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have uncovered a more nuanced view of what makes an 'ideal' computer science student, challenging long-held stereotypes of geeky, clever, detail-oriented men, who lack social skills.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

Artificial compound eye to revolutionize robotic vision at lower cost but higher sensitivity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team has recently developed a novel artificial compound eye system that is not only more cost-effective, but demonstrates a sensitivity at least twice that of existing market products in small areas. The system promises to revolutionize robotic vision, enhance robots' abilities in navigation, perception and decision-making, while promoting commercial application and further development in human-robot collaboration.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Published

Using photos or videos, these AI systems can conjure simulations that train robots to function in physical spaces      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Two new studies introduce AI systems that use either video or photos to create simulations that can train robots to function in the real world. This could significantly lower the costs of training robots to function in complex settings. Two new studies introduce AI systems that use either video or photos to create simulations that can train robots to function in the real world. This could significantly lower the costs of training robots to function in complex settings.

Archaeology: General Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General
Published

International Space Station crew carries out archeological survey in space      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An archaeological strategy adapted for space used daily photos to reveal how astronauts actually use areas aboard the International Space Station -- and how this differs from intended uses.

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

Findings from first archaeology project in space      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The first-ever archeological survey in space has provided new insights into how astronauts use and adapt their living space on the International Space Station, which could influence the design of new space stations after the ISS is decommissioned.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Scientists lay out revolutionary method to warm Mars      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Ever since we learned that the surface of planet Mars is cold and dead, people have wondered if there is a way to make it friendlier to life. The newly proposed method is over 5,000 times more efficient than previous schemes to globally warm Mars, representing a significant leap forward in our ability to modify the Martian environment.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

Astronomers uncover risks to planets that could host life      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A groundbreaking study has revealed that red dwarf stars can produce stellar flares that carry far-ultraviolet (far-UV) radiation levels much higher than previously believed.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

AI for mental health screening may carry biases based on gender, race      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A growing body of AI tools screen how people talk, searching for subtle changes that could indicate mental health concerns like depression or anxiety. A study finds that these tools don't perform consistently across people from different genders and races.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Scientists pin down the origins of the moon's tenuous atmosphere      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists say they have identified the main process that formed the moon's atmosphere and continues to sustain it today. The team reports that the lunar atmosphere is primarily a product of 'impact vaporization.'

Physics: General Physics: Quantum Physics Space: Astrophysics Space: Cosmology Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

Cold antimatter for quantum state-resolved precision measurements      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Why does the universe contain matter and (virtually) no antimatter? Scientists have achieved an experimental breakthrough in this context. It can contribute to measuring the mass and magnetic moment of antiprotons more precisely than ever before -- and thus identify possible matter-antimatter asymmetries. They have developed a trap, which can cool individual antiprotons much more rapidly than in the past.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

Key to rapid planet formation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a new model to explain the formation of giant planets such as Jupiter, which furnishes deeper insights into the processes of planet formation and could expand our understanding of planetary systems.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

The rotation of a nearby star stuns astronomers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Astronomers have found that the rotational profile of a nearby star, V889 Herculis, differs considerably from that of the Sun. The observation provides insights into the fundamental stellar astrophysics and helps us understand the activity of the Sun, its spot structures and eruptions.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Physics Space: Astrophysics Space: Cosmology Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

What no one has seen before -- simulation of gravitational waves from failing warp drive      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Physicists have been exploring the theoretical possibility of spaceships driven by compressing the four-dimensional spacetime for decades. Although this so-called 'warp drive' originates from the realm of science fiction, it is based on concrete descriptions in general relativity. A new study takes things a step further -- simulating the gravitational waves such a drive might emit if it broke down.