Promising new materials mimic muscle structure and function

Inspired by the structure of muscles, an innovative new strategy for creating fiber actuators could lead to advances in robotics, prosthetics, and smart clothing, according to a Penn State led team of scientists who discovered the process.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/promising-new-materials-mimic-muscle-structure-and-function

Real-time, accurate virus detection method could help fight next pandemic

A method of highly accurate and sensitive virus identification using Raman spectroscopy, a portable virus capture device and machine learning could enable real-time virus detection and identification to help battle future pandemics, according to a team of researchers led by Penn State.

Searching for critical minerals in ancient ocean floors

Studying ancient ocean floors could help discover minerals needed to produce electric cars and solar panels.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/searching-for-critical-minerals-in-ancient-ocean-floors

Uncovering the inner workings of the molecular machinery that shapes chromosomes during cell division

Our cells perform a marvel of engineering when it comes to packing information into small spaces. Every time a cell divides, it bundles up an amazing 4 meters of DNA into 46 tiny packages, each of which is only several millionths of a meter in length. Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg have now discovered how a family of DNA motor proteins succeeds in packaging loosely arranged strands of DNA into compact individual chromosomes during cell division.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/uncovering-the-inner-workings-of-the-molecular-machinery-that-shapes-chromosomes-during-cell-division

Global plastic waste on track to triple by 2060

A world severely blighted by plastic pollution is on track to see the use of plastics nearly triple in less than four decades, according to findings released Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/global-plastic-waste-on-track-to-triple-by-2060

'Beam-steering' technology takes mobile communications beyond 5G

Birmingham scientists have revealed a new beam-steering antenna that increases the efficiency of data transmission for 'beyond 5G'—and opens up a range of frequencies for mobile communications that are inaccessible to currently used technologies.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/beam-steering-technology-takes-mobile-communications-beyond-5g