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Latest story• Apr 2, 2025

Nuclear fuel: China unlocks 40 times more efficient seawater uranium extraction

China is facing a critical uranium shortage as its nuclear power demand grows. To address this, scientists have developed a new technology that improves uranium extraction from seawater by 40 times. The breakthrough uses metal-organic frameworks with integrated hydrocarbon molecules to selectively capture uranium ions. This could provide China with a sustainable, independent uranium supply for its expanding nuclear...

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Why Everything in the Universe Becomes More Complex

The "law of increasing functional information" theory suggests that universal complexity grows over time through function-based selection, implying complex life might be common and unavoidable, contrary to beliefs about the...

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Insight from one of Milky Way's most extreme environments

Sagittarius C, a star-forming region near the Milky Way's center, has been studied using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists discovered powerful magnetic fields creating bright filaments of hot hydrogen gas, potentially...

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Asteroid impact threat estimates improved for the Earth and the Moon

Updated calculations show asteroid 2024 YR4 now has less than a 0.001% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, but a 4% chance of striking the Moon, which could impact space activities.

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Metamaterials: Highly twisted rods store large amounts of energy

Researchers have developed new mechanical metamaterials with high elastic energy storage capacity. These materials, made of cleverly arranged helically deformed rods, can store 2 to 160 times more energy than other metamaterials...

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Humans orbit Earth over north, south poles for first time with SpaceX Fram2 mission

SpaceX's Fram2 mission sent the first human crew to orbit Earth's poles. The four-person private crew launched in a Crew Dragon capsule for 3-5 days of scientific research. This challenging polar orbit requires more fuel and...

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A 32-bit processor made with an atomically thin semiconductor

Researchers have developed a functional 32-bit RISC-V processor using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) instead of silicon. The chip, containing 5,900 transistors, operates at kilohertz speeds and can implement the full RISC-V...

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Just one exo-Earth pixel can reveal continents, oceans, and more

Astronomers are on the verge of directly imaging Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars. This breakthrough could allow for coarse mapping of exoplanets, potentially revealing features like clouds, oceans, and continents. As...

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Fourier is making hydrogen electrolyzers inspired by data centers

Fourier, a startup creating small hydrogen production modules, raised $18.5 million to develop efficient electrolyzers managed by software, aiming to provide on-site hydrogen at half the current market price for various...

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Moon settlements could use brick-repairing bacteria for long-lasting habitats

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science developed a method to repair and strengthen lunar soil bricks using a mixture of Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria, guar gum, and simulated lunar soil. This bacterial slurry repairs...

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AI vs. Mathematical Proofs: Why Even the Best Models Struggle

AI models excel at producing correct numerical answers to complex math problems but struggle to explain their reasoning or provide rigorous proofs. Recent research shows top AI systems scored below 5% on USAMO proof-based...

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New tech for multiple security robot control unveiled, allows 24/7 surveillance

New security robot control technology allows 24/7 automated patrols without complex programming. BOW's Mission Control application, unveiled at Hannover Messe 2025, simplifies deployment of diverse robots for security,...

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Tuna-inspired robotic fin can help deep-sea drones swim better than fish

The University of Maryland created a tuna-inspired robotic fin for underwater drones, offering 49% better maneuverability than propellers, improved force control, and efficiency, which could transform deep-sea exploration and...

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Fermenting miso in orbit reveals how space can affect a food’s taste

Miso fermented on the International Space Station developed a nuttier flavor than earthbound versions due to unique space conditions. This experiment demonstrates that fermentation is possible in orbit and could open up new...

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Quantum sandwich: Scientists merge ‘impossible’ materials for next-gen computing

Scientists have successfully combined two previously "impossible" materials - dysprosium titanate ("spin ice") and pyrochlore iridate ("magnetic semimetal") - into a microscopic layered structure with rare quantum properties....

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Agility Robotics shows off latest advances for Digit humanoid

Agility Robotics showcased Digit's upgraded features at ProMat, including longer battery life, autonomous docking, improved grasping, and enhanced safety, aiming to boost its effectiveness in warehouses and manufacturing while...

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Top 10 robotics developments of March 2025

March was a busy month for robotics, with major developments in humanoid robots and AI. Boston Dynamics expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA for Atlas, while Figure AI unveiled a high-volume humanoid manufacturing facility....

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480-million-year-old sponge discovered in China built Earth’s first skeletal reef

A 480-million-year-old sponge fossil discovered in China has pushed back the timeline for the first skeletal reefs by 20 million years. The Lophiostroma leizunia specimen represents a major transition from microbial to...

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Four private astronauts launch on first human mission to fly over the poles

SpaceX launched the Fram2 mission, sending four private citizens on a unique polar orbit flight. The crew will make history as the first humans to directly view Earth's poles from space, conducting experiments and capturing...

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New metamaterial stores 160x more energy, paving the way for smarter robots

A breakthrough in mechanical metamaterials from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology could revolutionize energy storage and robotics. The new material, made of twisted rods in a specific pattern, stores up to 160 times more elastic...

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A new antifungal drug works in a surprising way

A new antifungal compound called mandimycin has been discovered by Chinese researchers. It effectively kills fungal infections in mice, including drug-resistant strains, and is less toxic to human cells than existing drugs....

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The experts that can outsmart optical illusions

Medical imaging experts are better at solving optical illusions than non-experts, according to a study by UK universities. The research shows that professionals who analyze medical scans are more accurate at judging object sizes...

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Next-gen nuclear reactors in US to get more efficient with Idaho’s new test bed

Idaho National Laboratory's Molten Salt Flow Loop Test Bed enables continuous monitoring of materials in molten salt environments, accelerating advanced nuclear reactor development by providing critical data on longevity,...

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CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep

Quantum entanglement has been detected in sheep by CERN scientists, who found evidence of entangled brains in flocks. This explains the herd mentality and simultaneous movement of sheep, regardless of distance. The research...

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