Shibaura Institute of Technology

New research shows gamma-ray blasting blazars could also be belting Earth with "ghost particles," or neutrinos.

Increased oxidative damage is linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Even though the pathophysiology of AD has been widely investigated, the likely relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and the disease remains largely unknown. A research team has now confirmed that AD progression is linked to oxidative brain damage, which impairs cognitive function in AD transgenic mice in…

In chemistry, a molecule or ion is said to be chiral if it cannot be superposed on to its mirror image by any combination of rotations, translations, or conformational changes. A chiral molecule or ion exists in two forms, called enantiomers, that are mirror images of each other; they are often distinguished as either 'right-handed' or 'left-handed' by their absolute configuration. Enantiomers exhibit similar…

Magnesium diboride (MgB2) is a low-cost, non-toxic superconductor used in field magnets, electric motors, and generators. However, producing nanoscale boron (B) particles to fabricate MgB2 is expensive. Researchers recently tackled this issue by using high-energy ultra-sonication in 2-propanol, a highly viscous solvent, to produce impurity-free, nm-sized B particles. The approach is cost-effective and enables…

From superfast magnetic levitation trains and computer chips to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and particle accelerators, superconductors are electrifying various aspects of our life. Superconductivity is an interesting property that allows materials to transfer moving charges without any resistance, below a certain critical point. This implies that superconducting materials can transfer electrical…

Superconductors are materials that offer zero electric resistance to the flow of current on being cooled down below a certain critical temperature. Typically, superconductors have a very low critical temperature, close to absolute zero. However, a class of superconductors, known as high-temperature superconductors (HTS) have a critical temperature above 77 Kelvin, the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. They have…

Emergency evacuation is an important disaster response action. Recent frequent instances of natural and man-made disasters necessitate effective evacuation planning. It involves factors such as road network properties, street geometry, path risk, and environmental information. Such plans are difficult to implement because of the complex psychological reactions of the affected people during an emergency. For…

Microplastic pollution is known to negatively impact seed germination and seedling growth. Although some studies have demonstrated the effects of microplastics on seed germination, the impact of microplastics on the internal biological activity of seeds remained unknown. Now, a group of researchers has used biospeckle optical coherence tomography to reveal that microplastics significantly hinder the internal…

While cellular networks are the foundation of smart cities, they consume a lot of energy, enhancing global warming. Putting base stations (BSs) with low traffic to sleep saves energy but also reduces traffic prediction accuracy. In a new study, researchers address this trade-off using machine learning technique to switch off BSs based on their contribution to prediction accuracy. The new scheme reduces power…

The animal brain consists of tens of billions of neurons or nerve cells that perform complex tasks like processing emotions, learning, and making judgments by communicating with each other via neurotransmitters. These small signaling molecules diffuse—move from high to low concentration regions—between neurons, acting as chemical messengers.

Muscovite mica (MuM) is a highly stable mineral that is commonly used as an insulator. However, the electrical properties of single-layer and few-layered MuM are not well understood. Now, a group of researchers reports and explains unusually high conductivity in MuM flakes that are only a few molecule layers thick. Their findings could open doors to the development of two-dimensional electronic devices that are…

Liquid fuels with high energy density are essential in many applications where chemical energy is converted into controlled motion, such as in rockets, gas turbines, boilers, and certain vehicle engines. Besides their combustion characteristics and performance, it is also important to guarantee the safety and stability of these fuels when in use as well as during transport and storage.

Given the hostile conditions of extraterrestrial environments, unmanned rovers play a critical role in the exploration of planets and moons. NASA's Mars and lunar exploration rovers have significantly contributed to our understanding of these extraterrestrial bodies. Planetary surfaces often present challenging landscapes with slopes, craters, and dunes.

Stereochemistry, or the study of spatial arrangements of the atoms in a molecule, is a highly explored subdiscipline of organic chemistry. It has led to the synthesis of numerous chiral compounds—compounds with non-superimposable mirror images or enantiomers—which have found applications in fields ranging from biosensing to nanotechnology and drug delivery.

Microplastic pollution is known to negatively impact seed germination and seedling growth. Although some studies have demonstrated the effects of microplastics on seed germination, the impact of microplastics on the internal biological activity of seeds remained unknown. Now, a group of researchers has used biospeckle optical coherence tomography to reveal that microplastics significantly hinder the internal…

Although theophylline (THO) is effective in treating respiratory problems and inflammation, the drug can be toxic if taken above certain limits. This demands accurate and rapid sensing devices that can closely monitor THO levels in patients. Therefore, scientists have now designed a paper-based THO sensor with a response time of 3 seconds. This new sensor is highly selective and sensitive. It has also been…

Theophylline or THO is a natural organic compound whose molecular structure is very similar to that of caffeine present in coffee and cacao. Over the years, due to its therapeutic properties, THO has become one of the most widely studied xanthine group derivates. THO is used to dilate respiratory passages in people having difficulty breathing, and as a muscle relaxant, anti-asthmatic, and diuretic (drugs used to…

Large concrete structures need to be regularly tested for defects that may compromise their stability. While acoustic tests performed by certified inspectors are usually the inspection method of choice, these tests take longer to perform as the structure's size increases. In a new study, scientists developed a new method to identify defects using shock waves generated by laser-induced plasma. The new method is…