Science & Technology
World’s biggest cumulative logjam, newly mapped in the Arctic, stores 3.4 million tons of carbon
Throughout the Arctic, fallen trees make their way from forests to the ocean by way of rivers. Those logs can stack up as the river twists and turns, resulting in long-term carbon storage. A new study has mapped the largest known woody deposit, coverin…
As rising temperatures affect Alaskan rivers, effects ripple through Indigenous communities
Six decades of river gage data gathered from nine rivers in Alaska highlight the cumulative and consequential impacts of climate change for local communities and ecosystems in the Arctic.
It’s all in the wrist: Energy-efficient robot hand learns how not to drop the ball
Researchers have designed a low-cost, energy-efficient robotic hand that can grasp a range of objects — and not drop them — using just the movement of its wrist and the feeling in its ‘skin’.
How an African bird might inspire a better water bottle
An extreme closeup of feathers from a bird with an uncanny ability to hold water while it flies could inspire the next generation of absorbent materials.
Electrification push will have enormous impacts on critical metals supply chain
The demand for battery-grade lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and platinum will climb steeply as vehicle electrification speeds up and nations work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through mid-century. This surge in demand will also create a variet…
Pollution monitoring through precise detection of gold nanoparticles in woodlice
Researchers introduce a novel imaging method to detect gold nanoparticles in woodlice. Their method, known as four-wave mixing microscopy, flashes light that the gold nanoparticles absorb. The light flashes again and the subsequent scattering reveals t…
Stopping storms from creating dangerous urban geysers
Researchers develop a computational model of stormwater piping to study storm geysers. They used this model to understand why storm geysers form, what conditions tend to make them worse, and what city planners can do to prevent them from occurring. The…
Composition of joint lubricant potential culprit behind osteoarthritis
The exact mechanism of cartilage breakdown in osteoarthritis is unknown, but damage from mechanical stress with insufficient self-repair is believed to be the main culprit. The composition of synovial fluid, or joint lubricant, changes significantly: T…
Study re-evaluates hazards and climate impacts of massive underwater volcanic eruptions
Material left on the seafloor by bronze-age underwater volcanic eruptions is helping researchers better understand the size, hazards and climate impact of their parent eruptions, according to new research.
Photonic filter separates signals from noise to support future 6G wireless communication
Researchers have developed a new chip-sized microwave photonic filter to separate communication signals from noise and suppress unwanted interference across the full radio frequency spectrum. The device is expected to help next-generation wireless comm…
Detecting stress in the office from how people type and click
Researchers have developed a model that detects workplace stress just by how people type and move their computer mouse. This might enable employees to prevent chronic stress early on.