Technology

Researchers have succeeded in developing a microbial strain that efficiently produces pseudoaromatic polyester monomer to replace polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using systems metabolic engineering. Currently, the world is suffering from environmental problems caused by plastic waste. The KAIST research team has succeeded in producing a microbial-based plastic that is biodegradable and can replace existing PET bottles

The discovery, centred around controlling tiny hurricanes of light and electromagnetic fields, could revolutionise how much information we can deliver over cables. Much of modern life depends on the coding of information onto means of delivering it. A common method is to encode data in laser light and send it through optic cables. The increasing

Where does the periodic table of chemical elements end and which processes lead to the existence of heavy elements? Researchers report on experiments to come closer to an answer. They gained insight into the structure of atomic nuclei of fermium (element 100) with different numbers of neutrons. Using forefront laser spectroscopy techniques, they traced the

A less wasteful way to train large language models, such as the GPT series, finishes in the same amount of time for up to 30% less energy, according to a study. A less wasteful way to train large language models, such as the GPT series, finishes in the same amount of time for up to

A research team developed an AI tool that traces back the most recent places you have been to. The tool acts like a satellite navigation system, but instead of guiding you to your hotel, it identifies the geographical source of microorganisms. This means you can use bacteria to determine whether someone has just been to

Recommendations from DEFRA's Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC) have set out steps that could make the UK a leader in more ethical, safer, and cost-effective chemical testing, through early adoption of a risk-based approach to regulation (also called next generation risk assessment). New recommendations from DEFRA's Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC) have set out steps

A study is the first to describe an electrochemical strategy to capture, concentrate and destroy mixtures of diverse chemicals known as PFAS -- including the increasingly prevalent ultra-short-chain PFAS -- from water in a single process. This new development is poised to address the growing industrial problem of contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, particularly

Scientists have spotted microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters, in some of the most pristine environments on Earth, from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the snow on Mt. Everest to the mountaintop clouds of China and Japan. Microplastics have been detected in human brains, the bellies of sea turtles and

An AI model could accurately identify goats in pain, opening up better treatment opportunities for animals and non-verbal patients. The patient arrived with a bladder stone, grimacing in pain and moping about. He wouldn't even chew his cud. The patient, you see, was a goat. And while treated for his bladder stone -- a common

Hydrogen-powered planes are set to take wing around the world in the future. To make this possible, engineers have to develop the jet engines that will power them. Experiments by researchers are now providing the necessary basis for making these engines powerful and durable. Hydrogen-powered planes are set to take wing around the world in

Researchers have developed a strategy that enables biosensors to be easily adapted for a wide range of applications. LMU researchers have developed a strategy that enables biosensors to be easily adapted for a wide range of applications. Biosensors play a key role in medical research and diagnostics. At present, however, they generally have to be

Researchers have created a new material that will be pivotal in making the next generation of high-power electronics faster, transparent and more efficient. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have achieved a new material that will be pivotal in making the next generation of high-power electronics faster, transparent and more efficient. This artificially designed material