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Inverted laser sintering of metal powders
Abstract We demonstrate the ability of the inverted laser sintering process to manufacture parts composed of metal powder. We fabricate a 10-layer part by depositing a layer of copper powder onto a sapphire plate, then pressing the plate against the part being built and sintering the powder onto the part by shining a 14W 445 nm…
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Perceptions of degrowth in the European Parliament
Abstract Degrowth is a sustainability strategy that is attracting increasing scientific interest, but is seen as too radical for politicians to accept, especially when compared with ‘green growth’. Here we use Q methodology to investigate viewpoints of political elites on degrowth and green growth by inquiring the views of 41 elected members of the European…
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Event attribution is ready to inform loss and damage negotiations
Extreme weather event attribution techniques quantify anthropogenic contributions to extreme weather disasters, but recently it was argued they are not yet ready to inform decisions on loss and damage funding. Here, we assert that they can substantially help formulate allocations to impacted vulnerable countries for the most damaging extreme events. Extreme weather event attribution —…
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The Israel–Hamas conflict: voices from scientists on the front lines
People in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank are reeling from the repercussions of the 7 October attacks on Israel by the militant organization Hamas. Hamas members killed around 1,200 people, including at least 28 children, according to data being compiled by the newspaper Haaretz. Some 240 have been taken captive, including at least 33…
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Inactivation of human coronaviruses using an automated room disinfection device
Abstract The emergence of more virulent and epidemic strains of viruses, especially in the context of COVID-19, makes it more important than ever to improve methods of decontamination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of on-demand production of chlorine species to inactivate human coronaviruses. The commercial prototype disinfection unit was provided…
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UK first to approve CRISPR treatments for diseases: what you need to know
Sickle-cell anaemia is marked by red blood cells that are misshapen and sticky, affecting blood flow.Credit: Eye Of Science/Science Photo Library In a world first, the UK medicines regulator has approved a therapy that uses CRISPR gene editing as a treatment for diseases. The decision marks another high point for a biotechnology that has regularly…
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Why superconductor research is in a ‘golden age’
A magnet levitating over the nitrogen-cooled superconductor yttrium barium copper oxide.Credit: David Parker/IMI/Univ. of Birmingham High TC Consortium/Science Photo Library A Nature retraction last week has put to rest the latest claim of room-temperature superconductivity — in which researchers said they had made a material that could conduct electricity without producing waste heat and without…
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A software framework for end-to-end genomic sequence analysis with deep learning
Using deep learning methods to study gene regulation has become popular, but designing accessible and customizable software for this purpose remains a challenge. This work introduces a computational toolkit called EUGENe that facilitates the development of end-to-end deep learning workflows in regulatory genomics. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access…
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Linking the vaginal microbiome to women’s health
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT 16 November 2023 A citizen science approach has helped craft a resource-rich vaginal microbiome map with associations to lifestyle and events across a woman’s life course. Sonia Muliyil .readcube-buybox { display: none !important;} A self-sampling study of 3,345 women in Belgium called ‘Isala’, named after the first female doctor in Belgium, was designed…
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Community engagement
John Donne famously said that nobody “is an island entire of itself”. This month sees the opening-up of a new ‘continent’ for plant scientists. The scientific endeavour is not a zero-sum game. More is achieved more quickly by a group of researchers collaborating than by the same collection of individuals working alone. Duplications of efforts…