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Science and Technology at phys.org

Friday, Jun 20

20

Analysis casts doubt on ancient drying of northern Africa's climate, raising new questions about early human evolution

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A study led by researchers from Brown University finds that rainfall patterns across northern Africa remained largely stable between 3.5 and 2.5 million years ago—a pivotal period in Earth's climate history when the Northern Hemisphere…

Past volcanic warming linked to marine extinctions, high-resolution fossil data show

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The Earth is rapidly warming, and similar climate upheavals over 300 million years ago once triggered massive fluctuations in marine life.

Global study reveals surprising flexibility in mosquito feeding patterns

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In a global study, scientists have uncovered far greater diversity and flexibility in mosquito feeding patterns than previously thought, challenging long-held assumptions about how the disease-carrying insects select their hosts.

Advanced algorithm to study catalysts on material surfaces could lead to better batteries

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A new algorithm opens the door for using artificial intelligence and machine learning to study the interactions that happen on the surface of materials.

19

Some countries are prioritizing AI workforce preparation through curriculum and job training

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Artificial intelligence is spreading into many aspects of life, from communications and advertising to grading tests. But with the growth of AI comes a shake-up in the workplace.

Scientists demonstrate unconditional exponential quantum scaling advantage using two 127-qubit computers

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Quantum computers have the potential to speed up computation, help design new medicines, break codes, and discover exotic new materials—but that's only when they are truly functional.

17

Magically reducing errors in quantum computers: Researchers invent technique to decrease overhead

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For decades, quantum computers that perform calculations millions of times faster than conventional computers have remained a tantalizing yet distant goal. However, a new breakthrough in quantum physics may have just sped up the timeline.

AI model developed to unlock the potential of satellite imagery for land cover mapping

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A research team led by the University of Aberdeen has developed a pioneering AI model to improve accuracy and reduce computational time in land cover mapping, particularly for vegetation.

16

The solar system's greatest mystery may finally be solved

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For years, astronomers have been searching for a mysterious ninth planet lurking in the dark outer reaches of our solar system. Now, a team of researchers have taken a completely different approach to this cosmic detective story—instead of…

Research shows how emotional responses are motivating divers to help restore the Great Barrier Reef

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Dr. Ella Vallelonga, from the University of Adelaide's Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, examined how reef conservation diving dissolves "human exceptionalism"—the idea that humans are separate from, or superior to, other…

13

True single-photon source boosts secure key rates in quantum key distribution systems

phys.org

Quantum key distribution (QKD), a cryptographic technique rooted in quantum physics principles, has shown significant potential for enhancing the security of communications. This technique enables the transmission of encryption keys using…

12

Radio signal from the very early universe offers clues about the first stars

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Understanding how the universe transitioned from darkness to light with the formation of the first stars and galaxies is a key turning point in the universe's development, known as the Cosmic Dawn. However, even with the most powerful…

11

The summer solstice is here. What to know about the longest day of the year

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Peak sunshine has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere—the summer solstice.

Thursday, Jun 19

21

No data, no risk? How the monitoring of chemicals in the environment shapes the perception of risks

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Several hundred thousand chemicals are considered as potentially environmentally relevant. Scientists from the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau in Germany show that monitoring data for surface waters are only available for a very small fraction…

20

SpaceX Starship explodes on Texas launch pad

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A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded during a routine ground test in Texas late Wednesday, the company said, in the latest setback to billionaire Elon Musk's dream of sending humans to Mars.

18

Coordinating computers in a relativistic universe: Expert ponders how algorithms might function across space

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Will algorithms designed for interconnected computers hold up if some of the machines are not here on Earth but flying about in space, onboard satellites or spacecraft?

Launching a new product during a recession can pay off, research shows

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Lower consumer spending and higher unemployment can make a recession seem like an inauspicious time to take a new product to market.

NASA to gather in-flight imagery of commercial test capsule re-entry

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A NASA team specializing in collecting imagery-based engineering datasets from spacecraft during launch and reentry is supporting a European aerospace company's upcoming mission to return a subscale demonstration capsule from space.

Machine learning modeling assists intelligent process analysis for high-performance virus filtration

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A research team led by Prof. Wan Yinhua from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a machine learning (ML) framework to analyze virus filtration processes in therapeutic protein…

The Portuguese man o' war includes four distinct species, new research reveals

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Long believed to be a single, globally distributed species drifting freely across the open ocean, the bluebottle—also known as the Portuguese man o' war—has now been revealed to be a group of at least four distinct species, each with its…

17

Researchers take one small step toward planning life on Mars

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Before they take the long journey to another planet, humans will have to find the right place to land. New findings from a University of Mississippi researcher may point to just such a place on Mars.

AI helps narrow 8,000 catalyst options down to one that supercharges green ammonia

phys.org

Scientists and engineers at UNSW Sydney, who previously developed a method for making green ammonia, have now turned to artificial intelligence and machine learning to make the process even more efficient.

New study offers a double dose of hot Jupiters

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Yale astronomers may have discovered the origin story for one of the universe's most dazzling phenomena—the double hot Jupiter—as well as a plan to find more of them.

SpaceX retargets crewed Axiom Space launch

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SpaceX has reset the countdown clock for its next human spaceflight, targeting an early Sunday morning launch of the private Axiom Space Ax-4 mission.

16

Image: Exoplanet GJ504b, 'second Jupiter' directly observed

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GJ504b is an exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star GJ 504. It is estimated to be three to six times more massive than Jupiter, making it the lowest-mass planet ever directly imaged. This faint and cold planet, often referred to as the "second…

Study finds rival news sources may escalate misinformation to attract audiences

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When news sources aligned to a particular business or political ideology choose to share misinformation, it can trigger an "arms race" where their rivals start sharing their own misinformation to compete, according to an international…

15

The Cosmic Owl: Astronomers discover a peculiar galaxy merger

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An international team of astronomers reports the detection of a peculiar merger of two similar ring galaxies that morphologically resemble an owl's face. The discovery of this galaxy merger, dubbed the "Cosmic Owl," is presented in a…

14

Escaping cosmic strings: How dark photons could finally work as dark matter

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Researchers, in a recent Physical Review Letters paper, introduce a new mechanism that may finally allow ultralight dark photons to be considered serious candidates for dark matter, with promising implications for detection efforts.

13

Using a space elevator to get water off Ceres

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We might not currently have any technology that would make a space elevator viable on Earth. But that doesn't mean they wouldn't work on other bodies around the solar system. One of the most interesting places that one could work is around…

12

SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas explodes, but no injuries reported

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A SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas exploded Wednesday night, sending a dramatic fireball high into the sky.