🤖 Computer Science

Machine learning for micro- and nanorobots

Machine learning (ML) is advancing micro- and nanorobotics by improving their design, movement, planning, and navigation despite challenges like environmental disruptions and noise. These advancements benefit applications such as targeted delivery and diagnosis. This review highlights recent progress and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome challenges and expand biomedical applications.

Looking 3D: Anomaly Detection with 2D-3D Alignment

This paper introduces a method for detecting anomalies in images by comparing them to reference shapes. Using the new BrokenChairs-180K dataset, which includes 180K images with various anomalies paired with 8,143 reference 3D shapes, the proposed transformer-based approach aligns features and uses a customized attention mechanism for effective anomaly detection. This method sets a benchmark for future research.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

First comprehensive characterization of the extraordinary thermoelectric properties of cadmium arsenide thin films

Researchers from UC Santa Barbara, Ohio State University, and the University of Hong Kong have characterized the thermoelectric properties of high-quality cadmium arsenide thin films. This breakthrough could enable the conversion of waste heat—produced by power plants, car exhausts, and more—into usable energy, significantly increasing energy efficiency and sustainability. Their findings are published in Advanced Materials.

Photochemistry sheds light on the direct functionalisation of native sugars

A new photochemical reaction allows the creation of glycosidic bonds in native sugars without needing protecting groups. This method uses a stable reactive intermediate that easily couples with various nucleophiles, including proteins, simplifying the process compared to traditional multi-step methods. The approach, praised by Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi, can produce more stable sugars and sugar mimics, beneficial for drug development.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

Shapeshifting organism uses ‘cellular origami’ to extend to 30 times its body length

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered helical pleats in a protist's membrane, enabling it to extend and retract over 30 times its body length. This "cellular origami" could inspire advanced micro-robots. The study, published in Science, focuses on Lacrymaria olor, which uses this mechanism to hunt prey, extending and retracting up to 20,000 times in its lifetime.

‘Epigenome editor’ silences gene that causes deadly brain disorders

A new molecular-editing tool, CHARM, can shut down proteins causing prion diseases by altering the epigenome. In mice, it silenced the harmful gene across most brain neurons without changing the gene sequence. This advance, reported in Science, could lead to a "one and done" treatment for prion diseases.

Two-Drug Combo Promising for Methamphetamine Use Disorder

A study found that extended-release injectable naltrexone and oral bupropion significantly reduced methamphetamine use in those with moderate or severe use disorder. The treatment group showed a 27% increase in negative urine tests versus 11% in controls. This study, published in Addiction, highlights the potential for NTX + BUPN as an effective treatment, amidst rising methamphetamine use and overdose deaths.

Dietary fiber intake reshapes tryptophan metabolism, promoting gut health and reducing disease risks

A recent study in Nature Microbiology explores how increased dietary fiber intake affects tryptophan metabolism, a crucial amino acid broken down by gut microorganisms into multiple metabolites influencing human health.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

Watch 2 tiny satellites deploy from the ISS in dazzling time-lapse video

NASA recently released a time-lapse video and images showing the deployment of two small satellites, BurstCube and SNOOPI, from the International Space Station (ISS) on April 18, 2024. The shoebox-sized satellites were launched into low Earth orbit from the Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD). The footage captures their sequential release and subsequent separation, marking the beginning of their independent scientific missions.

NASA Prepares for Air Taxi Passenger Comfort Studies

NASA has created a VR flight simulator to study passenger experiences in air taxis, improving aircraft comfort. Test pilot Wayne Ringelberg tested the simulator, which simulates flights from a virtual vertiport in San Francisco, to evaluate motion acceptability for future air mobility technologies.

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