Biology: Botany Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Large herbivores keep invasive plants at bay      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Elephants, buffaloes and other heavy herbivores are effective against invasive plants. This is the conclusion of a new study that used Indian data, including data from the world's largest survey of wildlife based on camera traps. But smaller animals can do the same: you don't need elephants to get the same effect, the researchers point out.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Extreme El Niño weather saw South America's forest carbon sink switch off      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Tropical forests in South America lose their ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere when conditions become exceptionally hot and dry, according to new research. For a long time, tropical forests have acted as a carbon sink, taking more carbon out of the air than they release into it, a process that has moderated the impact of climate change. But new research found that in 2015 -- 2016, when an El Niño climate event resulted in drought and the hottest temperatures ever recorded, South American forests were unable to function as a carbon sink.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: Encryption Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Energy: Technology Mathematics: Puzzles Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Better cybersecurity with new material      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Digital information exchange can be safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly with the help of a new type of random number generator for encryption. The researchers behind the study believe that the new technology paves the way for a new type of quantum communication.

Biology: Botany Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Invasive spotted lanternfly may not damage hardwood trees as previously thought      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In 2012, when the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) arrived in the U.S. from its home in China, scientists, land managers, and growers were understandably concerned that the sap-feeding insect would damage native and commercial trees. New long-term research has discovered that hardwood trees, such as maple, willow and birch, may be less vulnerable than initially thought.

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

A system to keep cloud-based gamers in sync      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new technique can synchronize media streams from different networks to multiple devices with less than 10 milliseconds of delay. The technique was demonstrated on cloud gaming, but could also be applied in AR/VR applications.

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

New AI technology gives robot recognition skills a big lift      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The day when robots can cook dinner, clear the kitchen table and empty the dishwasher is still a long way off. First, robots need to be able to recognize the many items of different sizes, shapes and brands in our homes. A team has now made a significant advance toward that technology with a robotic system that uses artificial intelligence to help robots better identify and remember objects.

Computer Science: General Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Breathe! The shape-shifting ball that supports mental health      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A soft ball designed to support mental health by 'personifying' breath has been invented by a computer science student.

Biology: Evolutionary Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geography
Published

Evolutionary imbalance explains global plant invasions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Plant species from certain geographic regions are more successful in spreading outside their native ranges than others -- but why? Ecologists provide answers by exploring how the ecological and evolutionary histories of plants can influence their relationships with humans and their success as invaders.

Computer Science: General
Published

Analog and digital: The best of both worlds in one energy-efficient system      (via sciencedaily.com) 

We live in an analog world of continuous information flow that is both processed and stored by our brains at the same time, but our devices process information digitally in the form of discrete binary code, breaking the information into little bits (or bites). Researchers have revealed a pioneering technology that combines the potential of continuous analog processing with the precision of digital devices. By seamlessly integrating ultra-thin, two-dimensional semiconductors with ferroelectric materials, the research unveils a novel way to improve energy efficiency and add new functionalities in computing. The new configuration merges traditional digital logic with brain-like analog operations.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Want to fight climate change? Don't poach gorillas (or elephants, hornbills, toucans, etc.)      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new article found that overhunting of gorillas, elephants, and other large fruit-eating seed-dispersers make tropical forests less able to store or sequester carbon.

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

Sensors harnessing light give hope in rehabilitation      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team overcomes limitations of conventional strain sensors using computer vision integrated optical sensors.

Computer Science: General
Published

Computer scientists use AI to accelerate computing speed by thousands of times      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of computer scientists recently unveiled a prize-winning Python profiler called Scalene. Programs written with Python are notoriously slow -- up to 60,000 times slower than code written in other programming languages -- and Scalene works to efficiently identify exactly where Python is lagging, allowing programmers to troubleshoot and streamline their code for higher performance.

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

Quantum computer unveils atomic dynamics of light-sensitive molecules      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have implemented a quantum-based method to observe a quantum effect in the way light-absorbing molecules interact with incoming photons. Known as a conical intersection, the effect puts limitations on the paths molecules can take to change between different configurations. The observation method makes use of a quantum simulator, developed from research in quantum computing, and offers an example of how advances in quantum computing are being used to investigate fundamental science.

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

Brain signals transformed into speech through implants and AI      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have succeeded in transforming brain signals into audible speech. By decoding signals from the brain through a combination of implants and AI, they were able to predict the words people wanted to say with an accuracy of 92 to 100%.

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

Pros and cons of ChatGPT plugin, Code Interpreter, in education, biology, health      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers see potential in educational settings for the newest official ChatGPT plugin, called Code Interpreter, they've found limitations for its use by scientists who work with biological data utilizing computational methods to prioritize targeted treatment for cancer and genetic disorders.

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

AI helps robots manipulate objects with their whole bodies      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new AI technique enables a robot to develop complex plans for manipulating an object using its entire hand, not just fingertips. This model can generate effective plans in about a minute using a standard laptop.