The increase in e-commerce has led to a significant rise in parcel deliveries worldwide, with 161 billion parcels delivered in 2022, doubling in just four years. In Australia alone, 5.6 million households made a monthly online purchase in 2023, resulting in millions of parcels being shipped each month. However, the reliance on high-emitting diesel vans
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The intricate wing dynamics of flying animals have long fascinated researchers and engineers looking to develop innovative flying robotic systems. While the flapping mechanisms of birds and bats are well documented, the processes underlying the wing movements of many insects, particularly herbivorous species like rhinoceros beetles, have remained largely unknown. Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
The French auto industry is currently facing a pivotal moment as the country aims to phase out new combustion engine cars by 2035. This transition to electric vehicles is creating a ripple effect throughout the industry, particularly impacting workers at parts suppliers. The sale of new cars with petrol and diesel engines will only be
Recent research in the field of neuroscience has shed light on potential locations in the brain where schizophrenia may first emerge. Through a groundbreaking analytical process called ‘epicenter mapping’, a team of international researchers studied the brain scans of over 1,000 individuals with schizophrenia and compared them to those of healthy controls. While the data
For centuries, Native Americans have turned to cranberries as a natural remedy for bacterial infections, particularly those affecting the bladder. In modern times, unsweetened cranberry juice has been touted as a potential treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, the scientific community has been divided on the efficacy of this age-old remedy. While some researchers
Intravenous (IV) fluids play a crucial role in the healthcare system, especially when administering drugs directly into the veins. The recent shortage of IV fluids in Australia, particularly saline and compound sodium lactate (Hartmann’s solution), has raised questions about why these fluids are essential and why they cannot be easily interchanged when one runs low.
In a rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), the debate between open-source and closed-source AI models has taken center stage. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently made a bold move by advocating for open-source AI with the release of a new collection of large AI models. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of
The recent setback in the delivery of hydrogen-powered trucks to New Zealand, paired with the removal of a government rebate scheme for green hydrogen users, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the country’s transition to this promising energy technology. Despite the government’s previous investments and support for green hydrogen initiatives, critical voices regarding its
In a world desperate for solutions to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, a simple yet revolutionary technology dating back to the Bronze Age may hold the key. Recent research led by Stanford University suggests that using heat-absorbing firebricks for industrial heat storage could pave the way for a faster and more cost-effective transition
The use of cellulose nanofibrils as an additive in 3D-printed concrete technology has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. Research led by engineers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science suggests that incorporating cellulose nanofibrils into printable materials could enhance both the printability and mechanical properties of 3D-printed structures. This
Google recently faced backlash after pulling an ad for its Gemini artificial intelligence during the Olympics. The ad, titled “Dear Sydney,” was meant to showcase the capabilities of Gemini AI by portraying a heartwarming story of a father using the tool to write a fan letter from his daughter to US hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. However,
The chipmaking industry is currently experiencing heightened antitrust tensions, with Nvidia being accused of abusing its market dominance by its rivals. The U.S. Justice Department has initiated an investigation into these allegations, focusing on Nvidia’s practices in selling chips used for artificial intelligence applications. The investigation stems from concerns that Nvidia is monopolizing the market
The recent study conducted by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine sheds light on the effects of psilocybin on brain networks. The findings reveal that the connections within established brain networks were disrupted, while the communication between networks was increased. This leads to a state of unpredictability in ordinary information processing in the
The study published in Science Advances highlights the challenges faced by climate scientists in accurately predicting tipping times for critical Earth system components such as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), polar ice sheets, and tropical rainforests. These tipping events, triggered by human-caused global warming, can lead to rapid and irreversible climate changes with potentially
The recent lawsuit filed by the United States against TikTok has brought to light some alarming issues regarding the popular video-sharing app’s practices. The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission have accused TikTok of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal data from children under the age of 13 without