The authors tested the impact of various additives on biopolymer degradation.
Read More...A comparison of starches and plasticizers for biopolymer synthesis and degradation
Nonthermal nitrogen fixation with air and water by using a low-pressure plasma
High school students’ perceptions of third-party tracking and personalization
The authors looked at student perception on various situations involving third-party tracking to personalize recommendations.
Read More...Gender differences in social media, sleep, and cognition in U.S. teens
The authors survey teenagers within the United States regarding the effect of social media use on sleep quality and attention span.
Read More...Penalty kick success is unaffected by direction: Insights from right-footed world-class soccer players
Predictive modeling of cardiovascular disease using exercise-based electrocardiography
The authors looked factors that could lead to earlier diagnosis of cardiovascular disease thereby improving patient outcomes. They found that advances in imaging and electrocardiography contribute to earlier detection of cardiovascular disease.
Read More...Associations between fentanyl usage and social media use among U.S. teens
Here the authors aimed to understand factors influencing adolescent fentanyl exposure, hypothesizing a positive association between social media usage, socioeconomic factors, and fentanyl abuse among U.S. teens. Their analysis of the Monitoring the Future dataset revealed that a history of suspension and use of marijuana or alcohol were linked to higher fentanyl use, and while not statistically significant, a notable positive correlation between social media use and fentanyl frequency was observed.
Read More...The impact of environmental noise on the cognitive functions and mental workload of high school students
Authors examine the impact of environmental noise on cognitive processes in teenagers, focusing on five different noise conditions: two types of noise (aircraft and construction) at two different decibel levels (30 dBA and 60 dBA) and a quiet condition.
Read More...Nanotexturing as a method to reduce dust accumulation on solar panels
Dust accumulation on solar panels can reduce electricity output by 20–50%, posing a major challenge for solar energy collection. Instead of altering panel design, we explored a simpler approach by modifying surface energy through nanotexturing, predicting that hydrophobic surfaces would repel both water and dust. This study found that treating glass and silicone surfaces with potassium hydroxide (KOH) for 13 and 10 minutes, respectively, created optimal nanotextures (445 nm for glass, 205 nm for silicone), significantly reducing dirt accumulation and improving solar energy capture.
Read More...Solubility of graphite and the efficacy of using its dissolved form as a conductive paste
This study explored the use of graphite's conductivity for circuit boards by creating a conductive paste through exfoliation with organic solvents and sonication. The combination of acetone and sonication was found to be the most effective, producing a high-conductivity paste with desirable properties such as a low boiling point. While not a replacement for wires, this conductive paste has potential applications in electronics and infrastructure, provided that key engineering challenges are addressed.
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