Research News
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Quantum is key to securing blockchain, say Russian researchers
Although blockchain is traditionally seen as secure, it is vulnerable to attack from quantum computers. Now, a team of Russian researchers has developed a solution to the quantum-era blockchain challenge, using quantum key distribution (QKD). Writing in the journal Quantum Science and Technology, the researchers set out a quantum-safe blockchain platform that uses QKD to […]
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Robot measurement system puts wind tunnel testing into top gear
A new method for measuring the aerodynamics of anything from an F1 car to a new aircraft design has been unveiled by a team of German scientists. Their system, known as RoboPIV, uses a combination of robotic automation and particle image velocimetry to give a large increase in the efficiency of measuring flow velocity. Writing […]
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Electric vehicles could help save billions on energy storage
Using electric vehicles (EVs) as mobile power storage could eliminate the need to build costly stationary grid storage for energy from renewable sources. That is the key finding of a new study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) in California, published this month in Environmental Research Letters. Using California as a case study, […]
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Drones could benefit from animals’ magnetic navigation techniques
Research by the US Air Force has found that magnetic navigation techniques used by some animals could allow autonomous vehicles to find their way without maps or GPS. The study, published today in the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, used computer modelling to investigate the feasibility of animals using rare and/or unique combinations of magnetic properties […]
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Parkinson’s implant uses brain’s signals to adapt treatment
Scientists in the USA have developed a new deep brain stimulation method to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. While present deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s is constant, the new method is ‘adaptive’. This means the stimulation changes in real time, based on the patient’s neural signals. The study, published today in the Journal of […]
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Planning for extreme temperatures could help five billion people worldwide
Acting on extreme temperature forecasts could reduce the risks posed to around five billion people by heatwaves and coldwaves, new research has found. Extreme temperatures are a primary cause of death and disease worldwide, and heat extremes are projected to rise in many regions. The research from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and […]
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Penguin colonies resemble liquids, physicists find
Penguins and physicists do not often cross paths, but a new physics study has found king penguin breeding colonies organise and move in a similar way to liquids. “In this study, we aimed to uncover the structural order in a king penguin colony during the early stage of the breeding cycle, when most of the […]
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‘Dieselgate’ impacted climate as well as human health
Improved diesel technology, combined with generally better fuel economy, has led to the widespread belief that diesel vehicles are more environmentally friendly than their petrol counterparts. But a new study shows diesel cars with ‘defeat devices’ may have no environmental benefit over petrol cars. The research looked at the on-road driving impact of Volkswagen (VW) […]
