Soft actuators today often rely on a single driving method, making it tough to handle complex, multi-directional movements. Scientists have crafted a new type of actuator using MXene, a special material, combined with a unique wrinkling structure. By adding n-hexane and letting it evaporate quickly,
Astronauts on the International Space Station, 260 miles (420 kilometers) above Earth, sent holiday cheer to those below with a festive video message. Commander Sunita "Suni" Williams, sporting reindeer antlers, joined NASA astronaut colleagues Barry "Butch" Wilmore, Don Pettit, and Nick Hague, plus
Have you ever thought about how molecules hang out together? In the world of computational chemistry, figuring out these molecular friendships, especially with big, circular molecules called macrocycles, is a real puzzle. One of these macrocycles is called pillararene. Understanding how pillararene
Photoiniferter (PI) polymerization offers a smart way to make polymers, but it usually needs powerful UV light. This isn’t very practical or safe. Researchers have found a clever solution by using visible light instead. They added a tiny bit of citric acid, which boosted the process. This simple add
Scientists have long known that nickel-iron catalysts are great at producing oxygen from water, especially in alkaline conditions. But how they do it so well was a mystery—until now. A recent study looked at a special catalyst, nickel-iron phosphide (NiFeP), which is super active and stable. It only
Imagine taking a trip back in time to see how plants adapted to life on land. One key player in this story is the NAC transcription factor. NAC genes are like the conductors of an orchestra, directing how plants grow, develop, and respond to stress. We looked at plants from green algae to today's cr
Ever heard of gold nanoclusters? They're tiny gold particles, wrapped in protective layers called ligands. These clusters are made up of smaller gold units, often triangular or tetrahedral in shape. Think of them as miniature building blocks. Scientists have been trying to figure out how these block
Imagine a low-profile, yet crucial, crop called Dioscorea alata. This plant is under attack by a nasty disease called anthracnose, caused by a tiny critter named Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The problem? D. alata is having trouble fighting back, and identifying the right genes to help it do so is
Palm kernel meal (PKM) is tough for non-ruminant animals to digest due to its high fibre content, mostly mannan. A new way to tackle this problem is by using bacteria to break down these fibres. Scientists found a powerful bacteria called Bacillus subtilis F6 that can effectively degrade mannan. In
Mealworms, also known as Tenebrio molitor, are superstars in the insect farming world. But to thrive, they need just the right temperature. Farmers usually aim for around 29 to 31°C. A recent study wanted to find the perfect temperature for these little critters to grow, develop, and have lots of ba
