NASA has announced that SpaceX will be responsible for returning the crew of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to Earth after the mission faced technical issues. Originally, the mission launched on June 5 and was scheduled to last eight days. However, due to complications, the astronauts will now return to Earth on February 25, 2025, after an extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

#science

Have you tried looking at an iPhone processor through an electron microscope?

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Scientists have managed to get a hydrogel to play a video game.

This experiment, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Reading, was inspired by the success of a previous trial carried out two years ago. In that earlier experiment, scientists trained a solution containing neurocytes—brain cells—to play the classic tabletop tennis simulator Pong.

In the new experiment, the researchers used an electroactive polymer hydrogel placed between electrode plates. The gel responded to electrical stimulation, allowing it to control the “paddle” in a computer game.

Initially, the hydrogel acted chaotically, but over time, its performance improved as ions accumulated in areas with maximum stimulation. This led to the paddle reflecting the ball more accurately, increasing the duration of gameplay. The uneven distribution of ions within the hydrogel resembled the process of muscle memory formation in living organisms. As a result, the hydrogel became better at the task over time, much like how living organisms adapt to new conditions.

It’s clear that the hydrogel does not possess consciousness, but the system demonstrated the ability to accumulate experience and improve its performance thanks to its memory. This discovery could simplify the development of algorithms for neural networks, which currently rely on universal principles of biological connections.

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Just in case - we start to test X: https://x.com/sciencetg/status/1828358576353493078?s=46

I just read that the UAE has unilaterally suspended the contract for the purchase of 80 French fighter jets. Additionally, the sheikhs are considering a complete blockade of trade operations with France, including those related to the defense industry.

Telegram is involved… Let me remind you that the creator of Telegram holds UAE citizenship along with French citizenship.

A groundbreaking neurochip has been developed that can translate thoughts into words with 91% accuracy. This tiny chip, implanted in the brain, uses advanced algorithms to interpret neural signals and convert them into text, offering new possibilities for communication, particularly for individuals with speech or mobility impairments. This technology represents a significant leap forward in brain-computer interfaces, bringing us closer to seamless mind-to-text translation.

For more details, check out the full article here.

Check out this stunning image of a triangular solar prominence captured by Andrea Vanoni on August 26, 2024. Solar prominences like this one are large, bright features extending outward from the Sun's surface, often forming spectacular shapes as they interact with the solar magnetic field. This particular prominence's unique triangular form makes it an especially fascinating sight.

📷 Andrea Vanoni, 26 August 2024

@science #sun #solar

A bird's-eye view of hell: The Sundhnukur volcano in Iceland continues to erupt, and a pilot captured the scene from the cockpit of a passing plane. The images show the dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape, with rivers of lava and clouds of ash painting a vivid picture of nature's raw power. This ongoing eruption provides a rare and stunning spectacle for those fortunate enough to witness it from above.

#science #volcano

Diatom algae under a microscope reveal their unique silica-based "shells," giving them a distinctive appearance. These algae are primarily unicellular, though some can form colonies. Their intricate and beautiful silica structures play a vital role in their survival and are a fascinating subject of study in microbiology.

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On August 21st, the Moon passed in front of Saturn in a rare event known as occultation. This stunning composite image, created from multiple shots by Josh Dury, captures the momentous event as the Moon gradually covered and then revealed the ringed planet. The alignment offered a spectacular view for observers, showcasing the dynamic interactions between celestial bodies.

#Astronomy #Saturn #Moon #Occultation #science

Since August 28, 2024, the Global Consciousness Project (GCP) graph has exceeded its usual measurement range and has been reaching record highs, indicating an exceptionally strong concentration of events. Such spikes have only been observed after 9/11, but unlike the current state of the GCP graph, the 9/11 event showed a massive one-day increase followed by a decline.

This current rise is ongoing, and since the event that could explain it has not yet occurred, it’s reasonable to assume that the graph will continue to rise and has not yet reached its peak.

So, if you’ve been doomscrolling lately, it’s understandable—well, not ideal, of course, but the graph certainly justifies it.

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Old books yellow and develop a distinct smell due to the presence of lignin, a compound in wood used to make paper. Lignin, which gives paper its yellow hue, breaks down over time, releasing compounds like benzaldehyde (smelling like bitter almonds) and furfural (with a scent of rye bread). Modern paper production removes much of the lignin, which is why newer books don’t yellow or produce the same smells as older ones. Earlier production methods couldn't remove lignin as effectively.

#science #books

On September 4, the meteoroid 2024 RW1, approximately 1.5-1.6 meters in diameter, entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up over the Philippines, creating a spectacular "shooting star" effect as it disintegrated.

🔭 @science #space #meteorite

A Lichtenberg figure refers to the intricate, branching patterns that form on the surface of insulating materials, such as wood or acrylic, after a sliding spark discharge. The intense pressure and heat in the spark channels during a high-voltage discharge deform the dielectric surface, leaving behind these distinctive patterns.

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