Science & Technology
Quantum lidar prototype acquires real-time 3D images while fully submerged underwater
Researchers have demonstrated a prototype lidar system that uses quantum detection technology to acquire 3D images while submerged underwater. The high sensitivity of this system could allow it to capture detailed information even in extremely low-ligh…
Elevated levels of toxic metals in some mixed-fruit juices and soft drinks
A new study that analyzed 60 commonly available beverages found mixed-fruit juices and plant-based milks such as oat and almond were most likely to contain levels of toxic metals above federal drinking water standards.
Chemical signal protects migratory locusts from cannibalism
Researchers show that the migratory locust Locusta migratoria produces the compound phenylacetonitrile (PAN) to defend itself against feeding attacks by conspecifics as population density increases. Cannibalism rates increased in locusts that could no …
CRISPR and single-cell sequencing pinpoint causal genetic variants for traits and diseases
A major challenge in human genetics is understanding which parts of the genome drive specific traits or contribute to disease risk. This challenge is even greater for genetic variants found in the 98% of the genome that does not encode proteins. A new …
AI could run a million microbial experiments per year
Automation uncovers combinations of amino acids that feed two bacterial species and could tell us much more about the 90% of bacteria that humans have hardly studied. An artificial intelligence system enables robots to conduct autonomous scientific exp…
New clues about the rise of Earth’s continents
New research deepens the understanding of Earth’s crust by testing and ultimately eliminating one popular hypothesis about why continental crust is lower in iron and more oxidized compared to oceanic crust. The iron-poor composition of continental crus…