Researchers convert methane to formic acid at high efficiency under mild conditions

Methane is promising energy resources for producing high-value-added chemicals. Methane conversion to value-added chemicals or fuels under mild conditions has become one of the hottest topics in energy and catalysis.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-methane-formic-acid-high-efficiency.html

3-D simulation helps revealing accretion process in progenitor of tycho's supernova

Dr. JIAO Chengliang from Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborating with Prof. XUE Li's group from Xiamen University, performed three-dimensional (3-D) simulations of the accretion flow in the progenitor of Tycho's supernova, which helps identifying the physical properties of the accretion process.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-d-simulation-revealing-accretion-progenitor.html

Avoiding animal experimentation with improved chemical risk assessment methods

It is still the case that data from animal studies is required in order to evaluate the safety of a substance for humans. However, the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM has teamed up with 39 partners from 13 countries on a range of projects, all of which have a common aim: to bring about a paradigm shift—away from animal experimentation and towards a deeper understanding of how chemical substances work.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-animal-experimentation-chemical-methods.html

Fungus as a sound absorber

As healthy and tasty as mushrooms might be, they are good for much more than just the dinner plate. The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT has now teamed up with the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP to investigate the use of fungus-based materials for the fabrication of eco-friendly sound absorbers.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-fungus-absorber.html

Microscanner mirrors replace human vision

In autonomous vehicles, advanced technology takes the wheel, allowing passengers to sit back and enjoy the ride. Yet such systems have to meet stringent safety standards. For example, an autonomous vehicle must be able to recognize obstacles and other hazards—and apply the brakes in an emergency. Such a vehicle could be equipped with a new microscanner mirror from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS. This performs a 3-D scan of the vehicle surroundings to a range of over 200 meters. When integrated within a LiDAR system, it can obviate the need for human vision and thereby make a key contribution to the safety of autonomous driving.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-microscanner-mirrors-human-vision.html

Stopping SARS-CoV-2 in its tracks by blocking its main protease

Inasmuch as therapeutic options against coronavirus have been focused mainly on blocking the interaction between its spike protein and the ACE2 receptor on host cells, SARS-CoV-2 has several additional critical proteins that could potentially be targeted with drugs that have already been approved for use against other viruses. One of these viral proteins is the main protease (Mpro) that is needed to separate newly minted polypeptides into their functional component parts.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-sars-cov-tracks-blocking-main-protease.html

Basking sharks travel in extended families with their own 'gourmet maps' of feeding spots, genetic tagging reveals

Picture the scene. Swimming off Scotland's west coast during a summer holiday you notice a large dark shark nearly 10 meters long headed towards you. A prominent triangular dorsal fin cuts the surface, the powerful rhythmically beating tail driving it silently through the cloudy green depths. You're transfixed by a cavernous mouth large enough to swallow a seal.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-basking-sharks-families-gourmet-genetic.html

BISTRO explores complex magnetic field structure of Cat's Paw Nebula

An international team of astronomers has investigated a nearby emission nebula and star-forming region dubbed the Cat's Paw Nebula as part of the B-field In STar-forming Region Observations (BISTRO) survey. Results of this study, presented in a paper published December 24 on arXiv.org, provide essential information about the structure of the object's complex magnetic field.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-bistro-explores-complex-magnetic-field.html

DUAL takes AI to the next level

Scientists at DGIST in Korea, and UC Irvine and UC San Diego in the US, have developed a computer architecture that processes unsupervised machine learning algorithms faster, while consuming significantly less energy than state-of-the-art graphics processing units. The key is processing data where it is stored in computer memory and in an all-digital format. The researchers presented the new architecture, called DUAL, at the 2020 53rd Annual IEEE/ACM International Symposium on Microarchitecture.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-dual-ai.html

Comb of a lifetime: A new method for fluorescence microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy is widely used in biochemistry and life sciences because it allows scientists to directly observe cells and certain compounds in and around them. Fluorescent molecules absorb light within a specific wavelength range and then re-emit it at the longer wavelength range. However, the major limitation of conventional fluorescence microscopy techniques is that the results are very difficult to evaluate quantitatively; fluorescence intensity is significantly affected by both experimental conditions and the concentration of the fluorescent substance. Now, a new study by scientists from Japan is set to revolutionize the field of fluorescence lifetime microscopy.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-lifetime-method-fluorescence-microscopy.html

Putty-like composites of gallium metal with potential for real-world application

Gallium is a highly useful element that has accompanied the advancement of human civilization throughout the 20th century. Gallium is designated as a technologically critical element, as it is essential for the fabrication of semiconductors and transistors. Notably, gallium nitride and related compounds allowed for the discovery of the blue LED, which was the final key in the development of an energy-efficient and long-lasting white LED lighting system. This discovery has led to the awarding of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics. It is estimated that up to 98% of the demand for gallium originates from the semiconductor and electronics industry.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-putty-like-composites-gallium-metal-potential.html

New microscopy technique images live cells with 7 times greater sensitivity

Experts in optical physics have developed a new way to see inside living cells in greater detail using existing microscopy technology and without needing to add stains or fluorescent dyes.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-microscopy-technique-images-cells-greater.html

Scientists find the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season

Arctic sea ice has been rapidly declining in recent decades. These changes can have a significant impact on global weather and climate through interactions with the atmosphere and oceans. In addition, the Arctic shipping routes are a shortcut to connect the major countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic region is also rich in natural resources and biological resources. Simulation of the Arctic sea ice could provide valuable information for Arctic shipping as well as climate studies, and it is therefore urgent to evaluate the ability to simulate Arctic sea ice and diagnose the sources of simulation errors.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-scientists-error-source-sea-ice-varies.html

Bionic idea boosts lithium-ion extraction

Lithium is an energy-critical element that has become a geopolitically significant resource. However, the supply of lithium may not be enough to meet continuously increasing demand. As a result, scientists are looking for new ways to extract lithium ions.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-bionic-idea-boosts-lithium-ion.html

Roll over, Fido: Half of pet owners say dogs co-sleep in their beds

Forget buying a dog bed. New research shows that nearly half of pet parents say their pooches co-sleep in their owner's bed.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-fido-pet-owners-dogs-co-sleep.html

How to identify heat-stressed corals

Researchers have found a novel way to identify heat-stressed corals, which could help scientists pinpoint the coral species that need protection from warming ocean waters linked to climate change, according to a Rutgers-led study.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-heat-stressed-corals.html

Poachers' paradise: Gulf hunts fuel Pakistan falcon trafficking

Since learning to capture birds as a teen, Muhammad Rafiq has amassed a small fortune in Pakistan trapping and trafficking falcons—including some endangered species—for wealthy Gulf Arabs.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-poachers-paradise-gulf-fuel-pakistan.html

Australian 'lives and homes' at risk as fire nears Perth

An out-of-control bushfire threatened lives and homes in Australia's west coast city of Perth Monday, with locals told to shelter in place from toxic fumes.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-australian-homes-nears-perth.html

Peugeot, Fiat merger to be sealed by shareholders

The shareholders of France's PSA and US-Italian rival Fiat Chrysler are expected to approve their merger on Monday, creating the world's fourth-biggest automaker by volume, Stellantis.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-peugeot-fiat-merger-shareholders.html

China telecom firms slide after New York delisting as oil giants fret

Shares in China's big three state-owned telecom companies slid in Hong Kong Monday during the first day of trading since the New York Stock Exchange announced it was delisting the firms.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-china-telecom-firms-york-delisting.html

Tesla delivered record number of cars in 2020

Tesla delivered a record number of cars in 2020, the company said, just narrowly missing its half a million target for the year.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-tesla-cars.html

Race to save Bangladesh hound from extinction

In a rickety hut on the border with Bangladesh and India, two brothers are among the last local breeders of the Sarail hound, a dog on the brink of extinction.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-bangladesh-hound-extinction.html