Daily Innovation News

September 24^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US researchers develop lightweight OLED technology for night vision glasses

US scientists have created a new OLED that converts near-infrared light into visible light, potentially replacing bulky night vision goggles with lighter, more efficient glasses. This OLED amplifies light over 100 times using a thin film less than a micron thick, reducing power consumption and improving portability. The technology may also advance computer vision by integrating memory behavior, which mimics how neurons process visual signals. The research was published in Nature Photonics.

🇬🇧 UK firm launches world’s first autonomous underwater drone for wind farm inspections

A UK company has deployed the first AI-powered autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to inspect offshore wind farms, starting with Scotland’s Seagreen wind farm. The drone autonomously collects and transmits real-time data, cutting inspection time by up to 50% and reducing operational costs. By offering 3D reconstructions and detailed inspection data, this innovation aims to improve efficiency and safety in offshore wind operations.

🚀 Space

🇺🇸 US scientists develop X-ray technique to deflect Earth-threatening asteroids

Scientists from the US have demonstrated a new method to deflect Earthbound asteroids using blasts of X-rays. This technique involves rapidly heating the asteroid's surface, creating vapor jets that could push it off course. The researchers successfully tested this on small samples in lab experiments and ran simulations showing it could work on asteroids up to 4 km wide, potentially preventing catastrophic impacts. The study was published in Nature Physics.

🦾 Robotics

🇰🇷 Korean researchers develop flying robot cart for human-controlled cargo handling

Korean scientists have introduced the Palletrone, a flying robot cart designed to transport cargo using human input for directional control. Equipped with eight actuators and a cubic enclosure for stability, this multirotor system enables safe, efficient aerial cargo movement over obstacles like stairs. Palletrone's human-robot interaction could revolutionize logistics in settings like factories or malls. The study was published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters.

💉 Biotechnology

🇺🇸 US biologist boosts protein in staple crops, addressing global malnutrition

A US biologist has developed a gene-editing method to increase protein levels in rice and soybeans, offering a solution to global protein shortages. This approach could combat malnutrition and reduce reliance on animal-based protein, promoting both sustainability and better nutrition. The research, which focuses on modifying noncoding DNA sequences, shows promise for enhancing food security and was published in New Phytologist.

🇨🇳 Chinese scientists convert CO2 into cancer-fighting antioxidant using bacteria

Researchers in China have developed a bacteria-based technology that captures carbon dioxide and converts it into lycopene, a powerful antioxidant with cancer-fighting properties. This sustainable method, which uses genetically engineered bacteria, offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional lycopene production. Lycopene is valuable for its potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer, making this breakthrough important for both climate change mitigation and pharmaceutical development.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US researchers discover new defibrillator pad placement doubles cardiac arrest survival

A US study found that placing defibrillator pads on the chest and back, rather than both on the chest, more than doubles the chances of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This anterior-posterior configuration helps deliver electrical currents more effectively to the heart. The findings suggest this technique could significantly improve resuscitation outcomes during emergencies. The research was published in JAMA Network Open.

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