Scientists studying solar try solving a dusty problem

The layer of dust and pollen that settles on the windshield of your car is easily removed with a turn of the lever that activates wipers and water. Removing that layer from a solar panel—especially one inconveniently located from any source of moisture—requires considerably more work.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-scientists-solar-dusty-problem.html

Probiotics keep calves healthy, too

Scientists in Japan have developed and tested a novel probiotic formulation to control severe diarrhea in calves, ensuring their health and reducing mortality, and in turn reducing economic loss.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-probiotics-calves-healthy.html

Researcher hopes to create a better blueprint for fish conservation

Growing up in Wisconsin surrounded by lakes and rivers, Matthew McLean has always been fascinated by aquatic life. After seeing the beauty of coral reefs firsthand and witnessing their decline, he became passionate about both studying and protecting them. His work has allowed him to study reefs and other marine ecosystems around the world, and to work closely with local communities on conservation initiatives.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-blueprint-fish.html

Anticancer compound found in monsoon-season delicacy

A small-branched shrub found in India known locally as Moddu Soppu (Justicia wynaadensis) is used to make a sweet dish during the monsoon season by the inhabitants of Kodagu district in Karanataka exclusively during the monsoons. Research published in the International Journal of Computational Biology and Drug Design has looked at phytochemicals present in extracts from the plant that may have putative anticancer agent properties.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-anticancer-compound-monsoon-season-delicacy.html

Japan scientist given Nobel for 'revolutionary' LED lamp dies

Japanese Nobel laureate Isamu Akasaki, who won the physics prize for pioneering energy-efficient LED lighting—a weapon against global warming and poverty—has died aged 92, his university said Friday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-japan-scientist-nobel-revolutionary-lamp.html

Neglected species: Conserving reptiles on the Caribbean critical list

Antigua has a beach for every day of the year. It's one of the mantras routinely trotted out in the tourist brochures. Ask the average person what images the word "Caribbean' conjures up, and the clichés will come quick and fast, with crystal-clear waters, sun-soaked sandy beaches and calypso cricket featuring prominently.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-neglected-species-reptiles-caribbean-critical.html

Children boycotted sugar to protest slavery and support abolitionists in 1790s-1830s

Children around the country gave up sweets and cakes hundreds of years ago as part of a sugar boycott to protest against slavery, a study shows.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-children-boycotted-sugar-protest-slavery.html

A dinosaur tail vertebra leads researchers on the right track

Scientists from Mahasarakham University (Thailand) and the University of Bonn have examined the newly discovered caudal vertebrae of a spinosaurid dinosaur that could belong to Siamosaurus suteethorni. The comparison with finds around the world led to the realization that the Spanish Camarillosaurus is also a spinosaur and that often several species of these giant predators have inhabited the same area. The results have already been published online in the journal Historical Biology, and now an updated version has been published.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-dinosaur-tail-vertebra-track.html

Cutting-edge cryo-EM reveals key insight into vital DNA repair process

New research, using cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM), has revealed key insights into a vital DNA repair process, which is implicated in resistance to cancer treatments.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-cutting-edge-cryo-em-reveals-key-insight.html

Research confirms ingredient in household cleaner could improve fusion reactions

Want to improve your chances of making electricity from fusion? Look no further than the cleaners under your kitchen sink.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-ingredient-household-cleaner-fusion-reactions.html

Chance finds dating back 9,000 years tell new story of 'Dream Island'

Chance finds of prehistoric stone tools and fragments of pottery, picked up from a rabbit hole by the wardens of Skokholm Island, have surprised experts and hint at new chapters in the prehistory of this famous island.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-chance-dating-years-story-island.html

How Biden's infrastructure plan addresses the climate crisis

It's no coincidence US President Joe Biden chose manufacturing hub Pittsburgh to unveil his $2 trillion green infrastructure plan, a bold pitch to Americans used to hearing that climate action will wreck industry.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-biden-infrastructure-climate-crisis.html

The road not taken: South Korea's self-driving professor

Decades before the race to build a self-driving car became a multi-billion-dollar contest between tech giants such as Tesla and Google, a South Korean professor built an autonomous vehicle and test-drove it across the country—only for his research to be consigned to the scrapheap.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-road-south-korea-self-driving-professor.html

Travel rebound: United plans to hire about 300 new pilots

United Airlines said Thursday it plans to hire about 300 pilots, another sign that airlines feel more confident that a recent increase in travel will continue.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-rebound-hire.html

US looks to keep critical sectors safe from cyberattacks

A top Biden administration official says the government is undertaking a new effort to help electric utilities, water districts and other critical industries protect against potentially damaging cyberattacks.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-critical-sectors-safe-cyberattacks.html

Biden aims to juice EV sales, but would his plan work?

Dangling tax credits and rebates in his drive to fight climate change, President Joe Biden wants you to trade your gas-burning car, truck or SUV for a zero-emissions electric vehicle.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-biden-aims-juice-ev-sales.html

Groups urge pressure on Mexico to save tiny vaquita porpoise

Environmental groups called Thursday for an international ban on trade in a range of Mexican seafood and wildlife, seeking to force Mexico to do more to save the vaquita marina porpoise, the world's most endangered marine mammal.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-groups-urge-pressure-mexico-tiny.html

Operation Cleanup on plastic-polluted Lagos beach

In blistering heat, several dozen volunteers are busy collecting plastic bottles, bags and polystyrene boxes as they launch a cleanup of the longest beach in Lagos.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-cleanup-plastic-polluted-lagos-beach.html

Evidence of Antarctic glacier's tipping point confirmed for first time

Researchers have confirmed for the first time that Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica could cross tipping points, leading to a rapid and irreversible retreat which would have significant consequences for global sea level.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-evidence-antarctic-glacier.html

Consumers are searching online but not buying. Why?

Online marketers have seen the pattern: 95%-98% of online visitors search for something, but the search never converts into a purchase and they leave the site without buying. For marketers, this results in speculation and assumptions that can lead to wasted time and investments in ineffective marketing programs.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-consumers-online.html

Consumer resistance to sustainability interventions

Researchers from University of Queensland, University of Melbourne, and Universidad Finis Terrae published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that studies consumer resistance to a nationwide plastic bag ban implemented in Chile in 2019.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-consumer-resistance-sustainability-interventions.html

Diversity can prevent failures in large power grids

The recent power outages in Texas brought attention to its power grid being separated from the rest of the country. While it is not immediately clear whether integration with other parts of the national grid would have completely eliminated the need for rolling outages, the state's inability to import significant amounts of electricity was decisive in the blackout.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-diversity-failures-large-power-grids.html

Study finds airborne release of toxin from algal scum

A dangerous toxin has been witnessed—for the first time—releasing into the air from pond scum, research published in the peer-reviewed journal Lake and Reservoir Management today shows.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-04-airborne-toxin-algal-scum.html