🤖 Tech & Computer Science

Air-powered computers make a comeback

Researchers at UC Riverside have developed an air-powered computer using 21 microfluidic valves in place of transistors, controlling the flow of air instead of electricity. This pneumatic logic circuit creates air-powered versions of standard logic gates, such as AND and OR gates, and could lead to safer, more affordable air-powered systems. This innovation is part of the field of microfluidics, which studies fluid flow through tiny channels and valves.

Learning to reconstruct accelerated MRI through K-space cold diffusion without noise

This paper introduces a novel k-space cold diffusion model for MRI reconstruction that performs image degradation and restoration without Gaussian noise. Building on the concept of cold diffusion, which uses arbitrary transformations like blurring and down-sampling, the model is tested on a large open-source MRI dataset. Comparisons with other deep learning-based MRI reconstruction models show that this approach generates high-quality reconstructed images for accelerated MRI.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

Vaporizing plastics recycles them into nothing but gas

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new recycling method for difficult-to-degrade plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene, using catalysts to break their bonds and convert them into reusable gases. These plastics, commonly found in packaging and bottles, are typically hard to recycle and release methane during the process. The new approach recycles both polyolefins into propylene and isobutylene, which can be turned into new plastics, offering a more efficient solution to plastic waste.

New results from the CMS experiment put W boson mass mystery to rest

Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider's CMS experiment have made a new, highly detailed measurement of the W boson's mass, resolving a mystery sparked by a 2022 measurement at Fermilab. After nearly a decade of analysis, using data from 300 million events and 4 billion simulations, the CMS team found the W boson's mass to be consistent with predictions, ending years of uncertainty.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

Recharging mitochondria—nanoflowers offer a new way to simulate energy production to improve aging ailments

Texas A&M researchers are developing a nanotechnology-based approach to recharge mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles in cells, to combat aging and diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. As mitochondrial function declines with age, it leads to fatigue and accelerated aging. This innovative method targets the root cause of these issues, offering a potential alternative to treatments that only manage symptoms.

Two New Drugs Approved for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved two new biosimilars, Afqlir and Opuviz, for treating age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and other eye conditions. Both medications contain aflibercept, the same active ingredient as Eylea. However, the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) denied marketing authorization for Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) to treat geographic atrophy due to ARMD.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut flight for NASA launches this week. Here's how it turned into a rescue mission

NASA is launching a rescue mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 26. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will lead the Crew-9 mission, originally set to include astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson. However, they were replaced by Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stuck on the ISS without a ride home. Wilmore and Williams, initially meant for a 10-day mission, will return to Earth with Crew-9 in February 2025 after spending about eight months in space.

NASA Awards $1.5 Million at Watts on the Moon Challenge Finale

NASA awarded $1.5 million to two U.S. teams for innovative energy distribution, management, and storage solutions through the Watts on the Moon Challenge. These technologies aim to support long-term human presence on the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis missions. The challenge, in two phases, sought breakthrough power solutions for lunar exploration. The final phase concluded with a showcase and winners' announcement at the Great Lakes Science Center, with NASA officials highlighting the potential for these innovations to impact both space exploration and Earth-based power systems.

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