Science news

http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2017/05/29/527892222/in-public-understanding-of-science-alternative-facts-are-the-norm?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170529 The notion of alternative facts was roundly mocked on social media.  But there are many alternative facts that are just as absurd from an empirical point of view but widely endorsed nonetheless: that dinosaurs once coexisted with humans; that vaccines cause autism; that genetically modified foods are dangerous to eat; that humans are not responsible for →

http://www.iflscience.com/brain/people-with-creative-personalities-really-do-see-the-world-differently/ As Pablo Picasso put it: Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not. The idea that some people see more possibilities than others is central to the concept of creativity. Psychologists often measure creativity using divergent thinking tasks.  The aspect of our personality that appears →

http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/imaging/from-macro-to-micro-a-visual-guide-to-the-brain This a short introduction to human brain: In the human brain, higher-level information processing occurs in the neocortex, neural tissue that forms the outer layer of the cerebral cortex. In its intricate folds, brain cells work together to interpret sensory information and to form thoughts and plans.  →

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/this-spray-can-turn-any-surface-into-a-touch-screen/ This looks interesting. The technology, called Electrick, was developed by scientists from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, with the findings published in an open access paper. The spray consists of an electrically conductive carbon-based material. By applying electrodes to the object, and then measuring the voltage at different points, the position of a person’s finger can →

http://www.popsci.com/radio-wave-shield-space-weather?src=SOC&dom=fb This is interesting if true. This is not the first I have heard EM signals from earth affecting ionosphere.  When the Navy wants to send a message to an underwater submarine, it sometimes uses very low frequency (VLF) radio waves. Some end up in space and according to a new report, they may be forming a →

http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/semiconductors/design/a-circuit-that-sees-radiation-strikes-could-keep-errors-at-bay For a short time, it looked like the worlds electronics would be safe (well, safer) from radiation. With the switch from planar transistors to FinFETs, ICs suddenly became naturally resistant (literally) to having their bits flipped by a neutron splashing into them and blasting lose a small cloud of charge.  But two things are now →

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/quantum-refrigerator-breakthrough-might-be-crucial-for-future-of-computing/ Quantum computing promises to revolutionize how we solve problemd, but there are many challenges before we get there. Researchers from Aalto University in Finland have reported in Nature Communications a functioning quantum refrigerator that can be used on many different quantum systems.  “With our new refrigerator, we think that is should be possible to reset qubits very accurately →

http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/smart-contact-lens-detects-diabetes-and-glaucoma In research described in the journal Nature Communications, the UNIST researchers used graphene-nanowire hybrid films to serve as conducting, transparent, and stretchable electrodes.  Both the graphene and the silver nanowires contribute indispensible properties. This contact lens should be able to pick up indictors for intraocular pressure, diabetes mellitus, and other health conditions, according to the researchers. Add →

http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/space-flight/scientists-figure-out-possible-new-threat-to-spacecraft Micrometeoroids don’t pack enough punch to get through a spacecraft’s hull. But according to new simulations reported this week in the journal Physics of Plasmas, they can generate a potentially crippling pulse of radio-frequency radiation. →

http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/transportation/advanced-cars/zincbased-batteries-can-provide-more-energy-safety-than-liion Rechargeable zinc-based batteries could not only store as much energy as lithium-ion batteries but also be safer, cheaper, smaller and lighter, new research finds. The results suggest zinc batteries could find use in mild hybrids (microhybrids), electric vehicles, electric bicycles, and eventually perhaps smartphones and power grid storage. The researchers are now aggressively testing these batteries and exploring scaling →