🤖 Computer Science

Classification of osteoarthritic and healthy cartilage using deep learning with Raman spectra

Raman spectroscopy requires noise pre-processing. A new end-to-end Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) optimizes this for classifying cartilage layers in Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis patients. It matches or improves accuracy over traditional methods. Integrated Gradients identify relevant features, reducing the need for manual pre-processing and feature selection, potentially aiding clinical use.

AdaptiGraph: Material-Adaptive Graph-Based Neural Dynamics for Robotic Manipulation

AdaptiGraph is a learning-based approach that enables robots to predict and control deformable materials with unknown properties. It uses a graph neural network to adapt to new materials without retraining, accurately simulating and predicting their dynamics. This method outperforms non-adaptive models in real-world tasks.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

Researchers demonstrate how to build 'time-traveling' quantum sensors

New research shows quantum sensors leveraging entanglement to uncover past data of complex systems. Published on June 27, 2024, in Physical Review Letters, the study by Kater Murch and colleagues demonstrates the potential of these "time-traveling" detectors.

Liquid metal interfaces show large thermoelectric effect

Researchers at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris discovered that the thermoelectric effect is much stronger at the interface of two liquid metals than in solid-solid or solid-liquid systems. This finding could improve batteries with liquid-metal interfaces and enhance understanding of Jupiter’s magnetic field.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

These period pads solidify blood to prevent leaks

A study published today found that a biodegradable seaweed-derived molecule forming a gel on contact with blood could prevent menstrual product leakage. This alginate product outperformed common fillers in menstrual pads and eliminated spillage in menstrual cups. Bryan Hsu, a biomedical scientist at Virginia Tech, aimed to manage menstrual blood better by gelling it, inspired by his PhD research on blood-clotting hydrogels.

Salads under scrutiny: Study reveals contamination risks and solutions in ready-to-eat salads

Researchers in a recent paper published in Trends in Food Science & Technology discuss the critical points in the production of packaged salads that may lead to microbial contamination. They emphasize the importance of effective microbiological quality control from cultivation through to consumption, highlighting methods to ensure food safety in the fast-growing market of ready-to-eat salads.

Newly Discovered Hormone CCN3 Enhances Bone Density in Lactating Mice

CCN3, a hormone from brain neurons, enhances bone density and strength in lactating mice, suggesting potential treatments for osteoporosis and improved fracture healing. Researchers manipulated CCN3 expression in mice, finding it stimulated skeletal stem cells and improved bone remodeling and density. This highlights CCN3 as a target for therapies enhancing bone health.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

New study shows mysterious solar particle blasts can devastate the ozone layer, bathing Earth in radiation for years

Alan Cooper from Charles Sturt University and Pavle Arsenovic from BOKU highlighted in their article that extreme solar particle events, occurring roughly every thousand years, pose significant threats such as ozone layer depletion and increased surface UV radiation. They emphasized the potential global impacts, especially during periods of Earth's weakened magnetic field.

NASA CubeSat Launches as Rideshare on ESA’s First Ariane 6 Rocket 

NASA launched CURIE aboard ESA’s Ariane 6 inaugural flight from Guiana Space Center on July 9. Developed by UC Berkeley, CURIE uses radio interferometry to study space weather drivers. Originally a 6U CubeSat, CURIE split into two 3U spacecraft to enhance radio wave measurements from the Sun and celestial sources. Selected under NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative in 2020, CURIE was among eleven payloads on Ariane 6's maiden voyage, a collaboration between NASA’s Launch Services Program and ESA.

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