Shining a light on the true value of solar power

Value estimations for grid-tied photovoltaic systems prove solar panels are beneficial for utility companies and consumers alike.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-true-solar-power.html

Banning disruptive online groups is a game of Whac-a-Mole that web giants just won't win

From Washington, D.C., to Wall Street, 2021 has already seen online groups causing major organised offline disruption. Some of it has been in violation of national laws, some in violation of internet platforms' terms of service. When these groups are seen to cause societal harm, the solution has been knee-jerk: to ban or "deplatform" those groups immediately, leaving them digitally "homeless."

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-disruptive-online-groups-game-whac-a-mole.html

Personal data, fodder for cyberwarfare? New models for stepping up cybersecurity

In today's increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is paramount. The upsurge in cyberattacks has far-reaching effects, from jeopardizing users' private data to sparking all out cyberwar, not to mention threatening private businesses' intellectual property. In such volatile times, the only approach is to adopt new models and applications that can address these problems efficiently.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-personal-fodder-cyberwarfare-cybersecurity.html

Design of a nanometric structure that improves solar cell efficiency

Researchers at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have developed a new nanometric structure that can cover the surface of some silicon solar panels and improve their performance by up to 40%. This design could be applied to future solar installations to achieve a better energy efficiency.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-nanometric-solar-cell-efficiency.html

China blocks Clubhouse app that gave rare access to uncensored topics

A rare uncensored app that had attracted Chinese internet users to freely discuss taboo topics, including the mass detention of Uighurs, democracy protests in Hong Kong and the concept of Taiwanese independence appeared to have been blocked on Monday night.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-clubhouse-app-chinese-rare-access.html

Hyundai, Kia deny Apple car talks, sending shares tumbling

South Korean automaker Hyundai and its affiliate Kia on Monday denied news reports they were in talks with Apple for a joint project to make autonomous vehicles, sending their shares tumbling.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-hyundai-kia-deny-apple-car.html

Kuaishou: China's $160 bn livestreaming app for 'ordinary people'

On Lu Kaigang's feed, sheets of tarp are transformed into haute couture as China's mountainous backdrop becomes his catwalk, a 22-year-old villager sashaying to fame via a video-sharing app for the everyman—Kuaishou.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-kuaishou-china-bn-livestreaming-app.html

Google moves away from diet of 'cookies' to track users

Google is weaning itself off user-tracking "cookies" which allow the web giant to deliver personalized ads but which also have raised the hackles of privacy defenders.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-google-diet-cookies-track-users.html

Samsung eyes Texas for chip-making plant

Electronics giant Samsung is considering the US state of Texas as a possible location for a new $17 billion chip-making plant, according to filings with state officials.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-samsung-eyes-texas-chip-making.html

A steady DRIP with NASA satellites

When drought hits the Horn of Africa, it's a threat to lives and livelihoods. Communities need access to water for sanitation, hydration, livestock and agriculture – and in many cases, tapping groundwater supplies is the difference between a "drought" and a "drought emergency." But maintaining the thousands of groundwater pumps that supply fresh water to drought-prone areas in east Africa is a significant challenge. NASA satellite data helps the people who maintain this crucial infrastructure by highlighting the places most at-risk for drought and informing early warning actions to prevent the worst drought impacts on local communities.

Image: Hubble sees a stellar furnace

An orange glow radiates from the center of NGC 1792, the heart of this stellar furnace. Captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, this intimate view of NGC 1792 gives us some insight into this galactic powerhouse. The vast swathes of tell-tale blue seen throughout the galaxy indicate areas that are full of young, hot stars, and it is in the shades of orange, seen nearer the center, that the older, cooler stars reside.

Newly developed material could lead to lighter, safer car designs

A new form of 3-D-printed material made by combining commonly-used plastics with carbon nanotubes is tougher and lighter than similar forms of aluminium, scientists say.

Researchers advance simple and inexpensive diagnostic blood test

In diagnostic medicine, biopsies, where a sample of tissue is extracted for analysis, is a common tool for the detection of many conditions. But this approach has several drawbacks—it can be painful, doesn't always extract the diseased tissue, and can only be used in a sufficiently advanced disease stage, making it, in some cases, too late for intervention. These concerns have encouraged researchers to find less invasive and more accurate options for diagnoses.

CLOUD at CERN reveals the role of iodine acids in atmospheric aerosol formation

In a paper published today in the journal Science, the CLOUD collaboration at CERN shows that aerosol particles made of iodic acid can form extremely rapidly in the marine boundary layer—the portion of the atmosphere that is in direct contact with the ocean. Aerosol particles in the atmosphere affect the climate, both directly and indirectly, but how new aerosol particles form and influence clouds and climate remains relatively poorly understood. This is particularly true of particles that form over the vast ocean.

Dinosaur frills were likely the result of sexual selection

Why dinosaurs evolved such a huge diversity of crests and frills on their skulls has long been an enigma.

As Part of Its LNG Related Event Series, Wisdom is Organising the Global LNG Bunkering Experience on 9 and 10 March

The virtual event, with over 30 expert speakers, will cover the latest global insights into how rapidly the market is expanding both technically and commercially. [PR.com]

Researchers find peptide that treats, prevents killer citrus disease

New research affirms a unique peptide found in an Australian plant can destroy the No. 1 killer of citrus trees worldwide and help prevent infection.

Winner-takes-all synthetic gene circuit process opens new pathways to disease treatment

A new process for inserting synthetic gene circuits into host cells, developed by a team of bioengineers at Arizona State University, has broad implications for improving the effectiveness of a range of disease therapies.

Bolivia probes deaths of 35 endangered condors

Bolivian environmental authorities on Sunday announced an investigation into the apparent poisoning of 35 Andean condors in a rural community, one of the most devastating such cases for the endangered species.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-bolivia-probes-deaths-endangered-condors.html

Kuaishou: China's $160 bn livestreaming app for 'ordinary people'

On Lu Kaigang's feed, sheets of tarp are transformed into haute couture as China's mountainous backdrop becomes his catwalk, a 22-year-old villager sashaying to fame via a video-sharing app for the everyman—Kuaishou.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-kuaishou-china-bn-livestreaming-app.html

Heavy snowstorm pounds Germany, upends travel

A snowstorm and strong winds pounded northern and western Germany on Sunday, forcing trains to cancel trips and leading to hundreds of vehicle crashes. Police said 28 people were injured on icy roads.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-heavy-snowstorm-pounds-germany-upends.html

140 are missing after glacier breaks in India's Himalayas

Indian rescue crews struggled to reach trapped victims Sunday after part of a glacier in the Himalayas broke off and released a torrent of water and debris that slammed into two hydroelectric plants. At least nine people were killed and 140 were missing in a disaster experts said appeared to point to global warming.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-glacier-india-himalayas.html

Next stop Mars: 3 spacecraft arriving in quick succession

After hurtling hundreds of millions of miles through space since last summer, three robotic explorers are ready to hit the brakes at Mars.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-mars-spacecraft-quick-succession.html

Reducing biases about autism may increase social inclusion

Efforts to improve the social success of autistic adolescents and adults have often focused on teaching them ways to think and behave more like their non-autistic peers and to hide the characteristics that define them as autistic. Psychology researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas, however, have been focusing on another approach: promoting understanding and acceptance of autism among non-autistic people.

Happy childhood? That's no guarantee for good mental health

It's well understood that a difficult childhood can increase the likelihood of mental illness, but according to new research from the University of South Australia, a happy and secure childhood does not always protect a child from developing a mental illness later in life.

Survey: Most Americans say they'll continue health precautions after COVID-19

A new national survey of more than 2,000 Americans by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds most plan to continue many of the pandemic precautions in the name of public health, even when the pandemic is over.

Online searches can help foreshadow future COVID-19 surges and declines, new study shows

Online searches for mobile and isolated activities can help to predict later surges and declines in COVID-19 cases, a team of researchers has found. Its findings, based on a four-month analysis of online searches, offer a potential means to anticipate the pathways of the pandemic—before new infections are reported.

Higher blood pressure over life span increases congestive heart failure risk in Black people

Starting with early childhood, otherwise healthy Black people show signs of slightly diminished heart muscle strength and a slightly higher blood pressure than their white counterparts, factors which may put them on a course for early development of congestive heart failure, researchers report.

Front-of-package product names and ingredient lists of infant and toddler food can be hard to navigate

Early exposure to nutritious foods may help children develop more healthful eating habits, but package labels can make it difficult for parents to understand what they are feeding their young children, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

79% decrease in primary care visits, 56-fold increase in virtual care: COVID-19 pandemic

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an almost 80% decrease in primary care office visits in Ontario and a 56-fold increase in virtual visits, found new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Study links exposure to nighttime artificial lights with elevated thyroid cancer risk

People living in regions with high levels of outdoor artificial light at night may face a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. The finding comes from a study published early online in Cancer.