The “dieselgate” scandal that rocked Volkswagen back in 2015 is once again making headlines as the former CEO, Martin Winterkorn, is set to go on trial after nine years of legal battles. This scandal, which involved the manipulation of emissions levels in millions of vehicles worldwide, led to one of Germany’s most significant post-war industrial
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The exploration of Mars has been a topic of interest for many space agencies worldwide. In July 2020, China’s Tianwen-1 mission arrived in orbit around Mars, marking a significant milestone in interplanetary exploration. The mission consisted of six robotic elements, including an orbiter, a lander, cameras, and the Zhurong rover, with the goal of investigating
A recent study conducted on over 1,000 adults has suggested that the use of cannabis can lead to alterations in the human body’s epigenome. The epigenome acts as a control panel for our genes, turning them on or off to regulate various bodily functions. The research, led by epidemiologist Lifang Hou from Northwestern University, shed
Manufacturers of wind turbines face a significant challenge when it comes to connecting their new turbines to the public power grid. It is not enough to simply test the functionality of the turbines and connect them; they must also comply with strict limit values for electrical properties and be able to handle dynamic events such
The COOLBat project is a joint research venture aimed at developing next-generation battery enclosures for electric vehicles. The primary goal is to make these enclosures lighter, thereby increasing the range of electric cars, while also reducing the carbon dioxide emissions associated with their production. By combining individual systems, introducing new heat-conductive materials, and utilizing bio-based
Bipartite matching is a key problem in computer science, with applications ranging from organ donation to ridesharing apps. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Associate Professor Saket Navlakha has found a way to improve bipartite matching algorithms by drawing inspiration from biology. Navlakha identified a bipartite matching problem in the wiring of the nervous system, where muscle
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in the development and operation of self-driving vehicles. It is responsible for decision-making, sensing, predictive modeling, and various other tasks that enable autonomous driving. However, recent research at the University at Buffalo has raised concerns about the vulnerability of AI systems in self-driving vehicles to malicious attacks. These attacks
The landscape of online advertising and internet search has drastically evolved since the founding of Google in 1998. What began as a company with a mission to provide useful search results has now come under scrutiny for its monopoly power and questionable search quality. Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the original founders of Google, expressed
The Milky Way, our home galaxy, is a vast and dynamic entity, constantly evolving and changing over billions of years. Recent research using data from the Gaia satellite has shed light on a potential cosmic skirmish between the Milky Way and a group of orbiting stars. This discovery has raised questions about the true nature
In Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital, children are captivated by the sight of robots gliding among human waiters, delivering freshly prepared meals to diners in a futuristic cafe. This unique establishment, named the Robot Cafe, has become a popular attraction in East Africa’s tech hub, known as The Silicone Savannah. The cafe owner, Mohammed Abbas, made
The recent breakthrough in organic synthesis at the University of Amsterdam has paved the way for a more environmentally friendly method to attach a trifluoromethyl group to molecules. This method, developed by the Flow Chemistry group at the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, eliminates the need for PFAS reagents and offers a safer
Laser-plasma accelerators are changing the game when it comes to particle acceleration by offering a compact alternative to conventional facilities that can span kilometers in length. These compact accelerators have the potential to revolutionize the field by allowing for the development of X-ray lasers that can be housed in the basement of a university institute.
Predicting major earthquakes has always been a challenge for scientists around the world. However, recent research conducted by a team led by Társilo Girona from the University of Alaska Fairbanks has shown promising results in earthquake forecasting. By utilizing advanced statistical techniques, particularly machine learning, Girona and his team have been able to identify precursors
In the current battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, scientists are facing a daunting challenge. The rate at which bacteria are evolving to outmaneuver antibiotics far exceeds the pace at which new drugs can be developed to combat them. As a result, researchers have turned to an unconventional source in their quest for novel antimicrobial agents: the
Antique books, once adorned with vivid and colorful dyes, may pose a hidden danger to those who handle them. Recent analysis has uncovered the presence of toxic materials such as lead and chromium in Victorian-era books. While casual contact with these heavy metals may not cause immediate harm, frequent handling of antique books could result