A recent survey of academics worldwide has revealed a significant gap in computing power between researchers in universities and those in large technology companies. This disparity hinders the development of large language models and other AI research, with many academics lacking access to powerful graphics processing units (GPUs). The study suggests that academics could make…
Physicists at the University of Bordeaux have developed a new algorithmic technique that could enhance the output of fusion reactors by smoothing out laser pulses used to compress hydrogen to fusion densities. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective fusion energy production, a promising future energy source. The technique has already been applied…
Google Scholar, the largest and most comprehensive scholarly search engine, is facing competition from AI-powered search tools that offer improved search experiences and data download capabilities. Researchers are starting to use these new tools, which include ChatGPT, OpenAlex, and Undermind, to search, review, and summarize literature. Despite its size and deep entrenchment in the scientific…
A groundbreaking study has revealed a molecular bottleneck that contributes to the development of chronic health issues, including diabetes and fatty liver disease. Researchers have discovered that proteins in the body become ensnared in chemical traffic jams, causing widespread sluggishness and contributing to the collapse of crucial biological systems. This finding could pave the way…
A team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking new imaging technique that can reconstruct 2D radio images into 3D ones, providing a more accurate understanding of structures such as jet-like features streaming out of galactic black holes. This technique could challenge current physical models of how radio galaxies formed and has the potential to revolutionize…
Ranga Dias, a prominent superconductivity researcher, has been fired from the University of Rochester after an investigation revealed extensive misconduct, including data fabrication. Dias’s research had claimed breakthroughs in high-pressure superconductors, but his findings were later retracted due to concerns about their validity. The scandal has cast a shadow over the field of high-pressure superconductivity…
Margaret Collins, a pioneering Black entomologist, left an indelible mark on the field of termite research. Despite facing racism and sexism, Collins persevered, becoming the first Black female entomologist to earn a Ph.D. in the United States. Her groundbreaking research on termites’ water relations and defense mechanisms continues to inspire scientists today. Forecast for 6…
Researchers at Google Research in California have developed a system to use millions of smartphones to map out real-time variations in Earth’s ionosphere. This innovative approach could improve the accuracy of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) such as GPS and provide new insights into the ionosphere. The system leverages the ubiquitous ownership of smartphones across…
Researchers at New York University have made a groundbreaking discovery that kidney cells can store information and recognize patterns in a similar way to neurons, challenging the long-held notion that memory is exclusive to the brain. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that kidney cells exhibit a “massed-space effect,” a feature of memory that…
Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a novel approach to solving partial differential equations (PDEs) using waveguide-based structures. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of analogue computers that can rapidly calculate complex mathematical problems, potentially revolutionizing fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science. The new technique uses electromagnetic waves to mimic electronic circuits,…
