The authors design and test an easy-to-use and cost-effective mobile app-based alert system to help senior citizens rapidly communicate with caregivers in emergencies or when in need of assistance.
Read More...SeniorConnect: A low-cost, app-based real-time alert system to connect seniors with their caregivers
The authors design and test an easy-to-use and cost-effective mobile app-based alert system to help senior citizens rapidly communicate with caregivers in emergencies or when in need of assistance.
Read More...A novel bioreactor system to purify contaminated runoff water
In this study, the authors engineer a cost-effective and bio-friendly water purification system using limestone, denitrifying bacteria, and sulfate-reducing bacteria. They evaluated its efficacy with samples from Eastern PA industrial sites.
Read More...Integrated Ocean Cleanup System for Sustainable and Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems
Oil spills are one of the most devastating events for marine life. Finding ways to clean up oil spills without the need for harsh chemicals could help decrease the negative impact of such spills. Here the authors demonstrate that using a combination of several biodegradable substances can effectively adsorb oil in seawater in a laboratory setting. They suggest further exploring the potential of such a combination as a possible alternative to commonly-used non-biodegradable substances in oil spill management.
Read More...Examining the impact of the sympathetic nervous system on short-term memory
The authors looked at how activation of the sympathetic nervous system impacts short-term memory.
Read More...Ramifications of natural and artificial sweeteners on the gastrointestinal system
This study aimed to determine whether artificial sweeteners are harmful to the human microbiome by investigating two different bacteria found to be advantageous to the human gut, Escherichia coli and Bacillus coagulans. Results showed dramatic reduction in bacterial growth for agar plates containing two artificial sweeteners in comparison to two natural sweeteners. This led to the conclusion that both artificial sweeteners inhibit the growth of the two bacteria and warrants further study to determine if zero-sugar sweeteners may be worse for the human gut than natural sugar itself.
Read More...Focusing Sound Waves Using a Two-Dimensional Non-Linear System
Sound waves can be amazingly powerful, especially when they work together. Here the authors create an “acoustic lens” that focuses sound waves on a single location. This makes the sound waves very powerful, capable of causing damage at a precise point. In the future, acoustic lenses like this could potentially be used to treat cancer by killing small tumors without surgery.
Read More...Temperature and Precipitation Responses to a Stratospheric Aerosol Geoengineering Experiment Using the Community Climate System Model 4
We are changing our environment with steadily increasing carbon dioxide emissions, but we might be able to help. The authors here use a computer program called Community Climate System Model 4 to predict the effects of spraying small particles into the atmosphere to reflect away some of the sun's rays. The software predicts that this could reduce the amount of energy the Earth's atmosphere absorbs and may limit but will not completely counteract our carbon dioxide production.
Read More...Statistical models for identifying missing and unclear signs of the Indus script
This study utilizes machine learning models to predict missing and unclear signs from the Indus script, a writing system from an ancient civilization in the Indian subcontinent.
Read More...Developing a wearable, skin-based triboelectric nanogenerator
The authors designed a system that runs off of body heat to track body temperature that could help prevent injuries that result from elevated body temperature.
Read More...Analyzing the effects of multiple adhesives on elastic collisions and energy loss in a Newton’s Cradle
The energy conservation in a system of objects in collision depends on the elasticity of the objects and environmental factors such as air resistance. One system that relies heavily on elasticity is the Newton’s Cradle. We aimed to determine the extent to which these adhesives serve to mitigate or worsen the chaotic movements and elastic collisions.
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