Top Technology News — ScienceDaily

• NASA's Hubble traces hidden history of Andromeda galaxy January 17, 2025
  In the years following the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have tallied over 1 trillion galaxies in the universe. But only one galaxy stands out as the most important nearby stellar island to our Milky Way -- the magnificent Andromeda galaxy (Messier 31). It can be seen with the naked eye on a […]
• Technology for oxidizing atmospheric methane won't help the climate January 17, 2025
  Atmospheric scientists show proposed 'geoengineering' effort to remove methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere could worse air quality while providing minimal climate benefits.
• The universe is expanding too fast to fit theories: Hubble tension in crisis January 17, 2025
  The Universe really seems to be expanding fast. Too fast, even. A new measurement confirms what previous -- and highly debated -- results had shown: The Universe is expanding faster than predicted by theoretical models, and faster than can be explained by our current understanding of physics. This discrepancy between model and data became known […]
• Polymer editing can upcycle waste into higher-performance plastics January 17, 2025
  By editing the polymers of discarded plastics, chemists have found a way to generate new macromolecules with more valuable properties than those of the starting material. Upcycling may help remedy the roughly 450 million tons of plastic discarded worldwide annually, of which only 9% gets recycled; the rest is incinerated or winds up in landfills, […]
• Insect-eye-inspired camera capturing 9,120 frames per second January 17, 2025
  A novel bio-inspired camera capable of ultra-high-speed imaging with high sensitivity was developed by mimicking the visual structure of insect eyes.
• Astrophysicists reveal structure of 74 exocomet belts orbiting nearby stars in landmark survey January 17, 2025
  Astrophysicists have imaged a large number of exocomet belts around nearby stars, and the tiny pebbles within them. The crystal-clear images show light being emitted from these millimeter-sized pebbles within the belts that orbit 74 nearby stars of a wide variety of ages -- from those that are just emerging from birth to those in […]
• AI transforms label-free photoacoustic microscopy into confocal microscopy January 17, 2025
  In life sciences, confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) is widely regarded for producing high-resolution cellular images. However, it requires fluorescent staining, which poses risks of photobleaching and phototoxicity, potentially damaging the cells under study. Conversely, mid-infrared photoacoustic microscopy (MIR-PAM) allows for label-free imaging, preserving cell integrity. Yet, its reliance on longer wavelengths limits spatial resolution, making […]
• Fine-tuned brain-computer interface makes prosthetic limbs feel more real January 16, 2025
  Two new articles document progress in neuroprosthetic technology that lets people feel the shape and movement of objects moving over the 'skin' of a bionic hand.
• New chainmail-like material could be the future of armor January 16, 2025
  Resembling the interlocking links in chainmail, novel nanoscale material is incredibly strong and flexible. The interlocked material contains 100 trillion mechanical bonds per 1 square centimeter -- the highest density of mechanical bonds ever achieved. Small amounts of the mechanically interlocked polymer added to Ultem fibers increased the high-performance material's toughness.
• Quantum engineers 'squeeze' laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 16, 2025
  Scientists use devices known as frequency comb lasers to search for methane in the air above oil and gas operations and to screen for signs of infection in human breath. A new study could help make these sensors even more precise.