Science X Newsletter Thu, Apr 18

Dear manoj dole,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 18, 2024:

Technology news

	Engineers design spider-like robot that may be used to explore caves on Mars A team of roboticists and mechanical and aeronautical engineers at Stanford University has developed a spider-like robot for possible use in exploring caves or lava tubes on Mars. In their paper published in the journal Science Robotics, the group describes their reasons for developing the new robot, their inspiration for the design, and how well it worked when tested in a real-world environment.
	Using sim-to-real reinforcement learning to train robots to do simple tasks in broad environments A team of roboticists at the University of California, Berkeley, reports that it is possible to train robots to do relatively simple tasks by using sim-to-real reinforcement learning to train them. In their study, published in the journal Science Robotics, the group trained a robot to walk in unfamiliar environments while it carried different loads, all without toppling over.
	Proof-of-concept nanogenerator turns CO₂ into sustainable power University of Queensland researchers have built a generator that absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) to make electricity.
	Mess is best: Disordered structure of battery-like devices improves performance The energy density of supercapacitors—battery-like devices that can charge in seconds or a few minutes—can be improved by increasing the 'messiness' of their internal structure.
	Octopus inspires new suction mechanism for robots A new robotic suction cup that can grasp rough, curved and heavy stone, has been developed by scientists at the University of Bristol. The team, based at Bristol Robotics Laboratory, studied the structures of octopus biological suckers, which have superb adaptive suction abilities enabling them to anchor to rock.
	New understanding of energy losses in emerging light source The light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) can be fabricated in a sustainable and cost-effective way on both rigid and flexible surfaces making it suitable for a broad range of applications, like illumination, health care, and signage. Despite its potential, this technology faces a significant challenge: a decrease in emission efficiency at higher electrical currents, a phenomenon known as "efficiency roll-off."
	Harvesting vibrational energy from 'colored noise' The energy demands of today's ubiquitous small electronic devices—including sensors, data transmitters, medical implants and 'wearable' consumer products such as Fitbits—can no longer be met by chemical batteries alone. This gap can be filled by energy harvesters, which turn ordinary, ambient vibrational energy into electrical energy.
	Floating solar's potential to support sustainable development A study, published in Nature Energy, is among the first to explore the floating photovoltaics (FPV) at the continental scale, finding that FPV installed at existing major reservoirs could produce 20–100% of the electricity expected from Africa's planned hydropower dams. Using a state-of-the-art energy planning model covering the continent's entire energy system, the researchers found that FPV is cost-competitive with other renewables and thus a key part of Africa's future energy mix.
	An ink for 3D-printing flexible devices without mechanical joints EPFL researchers are targeting the next generation of soft actuators and robots with an elastomer-based ink for 3D printing objects with locally changing mechanical properties, eliminating the need for cumbersome mechanical joints.
	For more open and equitable public discussions on social media, try 'meronymity' Have you ever felt reluctant to share ideas during a meeting because you feared judgment from senior colleagues? You're not alone. Research has shown this pervasive issue can lead to a lack of diversity in public discourse, especially when junior members of a community don't speak up because they feel intimidated.
	Garbage could replace a quarter of petroleum-based jet fuel every year Every year, the nation's aviation industry uses around 22 billion gallons of jet fuel, which produces about 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide—or 3% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Because of this, researchers and policymakers alike are eyeing aviation as an industry ripe with opportunity to lower emissions.
	Team develops a way to teach a computer to type like a human An entirely new predictive typing model can simulate different kinds of users, helping reveal ways to optimize how we use our phones. Developed by researchers at Aalto University, the new model captures the difference between typing with one or two hands and between younger and older users.
	Colorado law protects brain data captured by gadgets Colorado on Wednesday expanded its privacy law to include brain data gathered by the booming array of gadgets people use for feedback about sleep, fitness, sports, and lifestyle.
	Russian 'cyber sabotage' a global threat: Security firm A cyber group with links to Russian military intelligence is set to become a significant global threat after playing an increasing critical role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a leading cybersecurity firm warned Wednesday.
	Media groups urge feds to investigate after Google limits California news in search results Two journalism trade organizations representing thousands of publishers this week called on California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google, after the tech giant announced that it was pulling California news articles from its search platforms for some users.
	UK police say they disrupted cyber fraud network that stole personal data from thousands A website that allowed international cyber fraudsters to trick up to 70,000 British victims into revealing personal information such as bank account details and passwords has been infiltrated and disrupted, London police said Thursday.
	A new wave of wearable devices will harvest a mountain of personal data Web and mobile services try to understand the desires and goals of users by analyzing how they interact with their platforms. Smartphones, for instance, capture online data from users at a large scale and low cost.
	Visualizing the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: Six ways you can use AI beyond generating text As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we're starting to see this technology affect every part of society, from banking and finance through to weather forecasting, health and medicine.
	Green cement production is scaling up—and it could cut the carbon footprint of construction Aside from water, concrete is the most-used material in the world, with about 14 billion cubic meters being used every year. Of that, 40% of that is used to build places for people to live.
	Researchers develop technology to improve offshore wind safety Deepwater divers who monitor and maintain underwater transmission lines and cables for offshore wind turbines face hazards such as subfreezing temperatures, low visibility, jellyfish and sharks.
	Meta's newest AI model beats some peers. But its amped-up AI agents are confusing Facebook users Facebook parent Meta Platforms unveiled a new set of artificial intelligence systems Thursday that are powering what CEO Mark Zuckerberg calls "the most intelligent AI assistant that you can freely use."
	Advancing performance assessment of a spectral beam splitting hybrid PV/T system with water-based SiO₂ nanofluid As the globe grapples with the urgent need to shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources, solar power stands as a beacon of hope. However, a significant challenge has been to efficiently capture and utilize the full spectrum of sunlight. Traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity but can't use the entire solar spectrum, especially the infrared part which is often wasted as heat.
	Researchers perform critical literature review on fairness and AI in the labor market Carlotta Rigotti and Eduard Fosch-Villaronga have published a new article that offers an insightful and critical literature review on fairness and AI in the labor market as part of the BIAS project.
	Recycling carbon fiber reinforced plastics waste is a challenge, but researchers find a way to make it work Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are lighter and stronger than metal and are used in a variety of industries, including aviation, aerospace, automotive, marine, and sporting goods. In recent years, it has also been applied to new industries such as air mobility, which has led to an increase in its use and a waste disposal problem. However, CFRP is not naturally degradable, and high-temperature incineration methods emit toxic substances and cause environmental pollution, so it is urgent to develop recycling technology.
	New report tackles electric vehicle charging payment challenges and offers key recommendations Payment issues can affect electric vehicle (EV) drivers' charging experiences. EV charging should be accessible, convenient, and reliable, and payment issues affect both accessibility and reliability.
	Can bismuth prevent oil leaks and save Norwegians billions? Over the next 25 years, as the world shifts away from fossil fuels, the oil and gas wells that have sustained the fossil fuel age will have to be plugged.
	What a seminal economics paper tells us about the future of creativity Full disclosure: ChatGPT didn't write this—but theoretically, it could have. Generative AI has progressed to the point where its output seems comparable in style and quality to that of human content creators. At first glance, at least. As a result, human creatives are feeling a bit defensive these days, their fears of obsolescence apparently confirmed by wave after wave of media layoffs and ominous suggestions from Hollywood studios.
	New research finds electric vehicles depreciate faster than gas cars, but the trend is changing Thinking of buying an electric vehicle but unsure about its resale value? New research finds that while older electric vehicle models depreciate in value faster than conventional gas cars, newer electric vehicle models with longer driving ranges are holding their value better and approaching the retention rates of many gas cars.
	Universal 'cocktail electrolyte' developed for 4.6 V ultra-stable fast charging of commercial lithium-ion batteries Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), mainly used as the power of computer, communication and consumer electronic products, require higher energy density, longer cycling life, faster-charging capability, and a broader operating temperature range to meet the growing consumer demands.
	Scientists urge action over life-threatening pollution from solar power waste in Africa Researchers from The University of Manchester investigating waste management practices for off-grid solar technologies in Malawi have discovered life-threatening quantities of lead pollution from improperly managed battery waste.
	Taiwan chip giant TSMC's profits surge on AI demand Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC announced Thursday a nearly 9 percent increase in net profits in the first quarter of 2024, buoyed by global demand for its microchips used to power everything from mobile phones to AI technology.
	Tesla, Starlink entry on agenda when Musk heads to India Tech billionaire Elon Musk is set to visit India as his businesses seek new markets in the world's most populous nation, with electric carmaker Tesla—suffering a sales downturn in the United States—reportedly scouting factory locations.
	Sealing homes' leaky HVAC systems: A sneaky good climate solution There's a hidden scourge making homes more harmful to the climate and less comfortable: leaky heating and cooling systems. Plugging those leaks may be the dull stepchild of the energy transition, but that doesn't make it any less important than installing dazzling solar arrays and getting millions of electric vehicles on the road.
	Nokia sees double-digit fall in January-March sales as weak market for 5G technology prevails Wireless and fixed-network equipment maker Nokia on Thursday reported a smaller-than-expected profit and a double-digit fall in sales in the first quarter due to a market weakened by a lack of clients investing in 5G technology.
	Google fires 28 workers in aftermath of protests over big tech deal with Israeli government Google has fired 28 employees in the aftermath of protests over technology that the internet company is supplying the Israeli government amid the Gaza war, further escalating tensions surrounding a hot-button deal.
	TikTok stops working in Kyrgyzstan after ban proposals Kyrgyzstan appears to have blocked TikTok after the Central Asian country's security services called to restrict the social media app to "protect children".
	US Congress to take on TikTok ban bill—again The US House of Representatives will again vote Saturday on a bill that would force TikTok to divest from Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban.
	Study demonstrates high CO₂ storage efficiency in shale reservoirs using fracturing technology A new study published in the journal Engineering unveils the remarkable carbon storage potential of shale reservoirs utilizing CO2 fracturing technology.
	Shares of Walmart-backed Ibotta soar 23% on public debut Shares of Ibotta, a Walmart-backed digital company that offers customers cash-back rewards and rebates on grocery brands ranging from Nestle to Coca-Cola, rose 23% in its Wall Street debut on the New York Stock Exchange.

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