The fate of galaxies is determined by the initial mass distribution at the birth of a new population of stars in the diverse and vast Universe. This relationship is referred to as the Initial Mass Function (IMF
In the field of astronomy, initial mass function (IMF) is an empirical function that details the distribution of stellar masses in a newly formed population of stars.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have discovered a connection between the risk of functional disability or death in older adults and the distance they are willing to walk or cycle to reach common destinations (such as a friend’s house or a supermarket).
As they age, physical or cognitive decline can make it difficult for some older adults to navigate their community, affecting their quality of life and becoming a burden on society. However, a recent study by researchers at the University of Tsukuba demonstrates that a willingness to travel longer distances by walking or cycling may help reduce the risk of early functional disability and mortality.
A recent study published in Health and Place presents a model linking death and functional disability rates in older adults to the distances they are willing to travel on foot or bicycle for common community trips. The research found that older adults who were only comfortable with short distances – such as 500 meters or less for walking, or 1 kilometer or less for cycling – faced higher risks of functional disability and death.
Adhering to Moore’s Law, the number of transistors on a microchip has doubled annually since the 1960s, but this growth is expected to reach its limit as silicon, the foundation of modern transistors, loses its electrical properties when devices made from it dip below a certain size.
Enter 2D materials — delicate, two-dimensional sheets of perfect crystals that are as thin as a single atom.
An atom is the smallest component of an element. It is made up of protons and neutrons within the nucleus, and electrons circling the nucleus.
This video shows the humble beginnings and the 40 years of development journey of Boston dynamics’ robot ATLAS. We start with the first model developed in 1983 in the leg lab in MIT, all the way to the current version of Atlas shown in 2023 in the Boston dynamics youtube channel.
Atlas is an incredibly advanced humanoid robot that has been developed by the robotics company Boston Dynamics. It is a bipedal robot that stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. It is capable of performing a variety of tasks, including walking, running, jumping, and even performing backflips.
Atlas is equipped with a variety of sensors, including cameras, laser rangefinders, and inertial measurement units. This allows it to perceive its environment and interact with it in a variety of ways. It is also equipped with a powerful onboard computer that allows it to process data and make decisions.
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Sending a jolt of electricity through a person’s brain can do remarkable things. You only have to watch the videos of people with Parkinson’s disease who have electrodes implanted in their brains. They can go from struggling to walk to confidently striding across a room literally at the flick of a switch.
Stimulating certain parts of the brain can bring people in and out of consciousness. Even handheld devices that deliver gentle pulses to the brain can help older people remember things.
Implants that track and optimize our brain activity are on the way.
A tech demo launching later this year are the first steps towards a possible communication system based on quantum entanglement.
Morgan Stanley says investors’ latest obsession is here to stay. “The AI hype is worth considering seriously.”
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We humans are obsessed with speed. We bred the fastest horse when we first started riding. We looked for ways to put insanely powerful engines in our cars when we first started building them.
A new North Carolina State University study, performed in collaboration with battery testing researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, shows that extremely short pulses from a high-powered laser can cause tiny defects in lithium-ion battery materials—defects that can enhance battery performance.
The technique, called nanosecond pulsed laser annealing, lasts for only 100 nanoseconds and is generated by the same type of laser used in modern-day eye surgeries. Researchers tested the technique on graphite, a material widely used in lithium-ion battery anodes, or positive electrodes. They tested the technique in batches of 10 pulses and 80 pulses and compared the differences in current capacity; power is calculated by multiplying voltage by current.
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices and electric cars. With further improvements, these batteries could have a major impact on transportation and as storage devices for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
