Lifeboat Foundation

Inside an ancient behavior that is helping tackle modern problems.

For the first time, chemists in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering have created a highly reactive chemical compound that has eluded scientists for more than 120 years. The discovery could lead to new drug treatments, safer agricultural products, and better electronics. The study is published in Science.

In a new discovery, researchers have revealed novel insights into the behavior of water molecules confined within nanostructures. Their study, published in Science Advances on April 24, delves into how terahertz (THz) waves influence the dynamics of water molecules confined in two-dimensional (2D) spaces within nanoresonators.

The inventors of a suite of tests that enable food packages to signal whether their contents are contaminated are working to bring producers and regulators together to get their inventions into commercial products, with the goal of preventing illness and reducing food waste.

Storm drains can be a causeway of disaster for our oceans and bays, because trash and organic debris can travel through the pipelines, polluting the waterways on the other side.

Fortunately, a program in Florida could serve as a model for other communities in cleaning up the drains and preventing harmful pollution from soiling the environment.

Continue reading “Company develops high-tech solution to prevent major waterways from getting polluted: ‘It’s way easier’” »

Biannual online magazine of SF, fantasy & horror.

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” — Ray Bradbury.

Herbert Ong Brighter with Herbert.

An American debt collection agency suffered a data breach in late February, losing sensitive data belonging to almost two million people.

Earlier this week, Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS) sent a data breach notification letter to affected customers, explaining that unauthorized third parties accessed its systems on February 14, 2024, and remained there until being spotted, and ousted, on February 26.

Scientists are harnessing cells to make new types of materials that can grow, repair themselves and even respond to their environment. These solid “engineered living materials” are made by embedding cells in an inanimate matrix that’s formed in a desired shape. Now, researchers report in ACS Central Science that they have 3D printed a bioink containing plant cells that were then genetically modified, producing programmable materials. Applications could someday include biomanufacturing and sustainable construction.