Category: Science

phys.org

The math problem in question is the discrete diffusion equation in finite space.
Until now, defining the probability of encountering and transmitting a particle in a closed space required huge computer simulations (= lots of wasted time and energy).
The solution to the basic diffusion equation has been known for a long time, but nobody knew how to quickly solve it for, say, one particular day and place.
This will help scientists from many different fields, for example in predicting molecule diffusion in cells, the moves of bacteria in a petri dish, or animal movements.
It could even help predict how a virus moves between individuals in a crowd in a confined space.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on June 3, 2020

Scientists are gathering crucial data about the viral components that make up infectious particles, but the information doesn’t give us a big picture of the virus.
In order to help everyone understand the virus, scientists created detailed 3D models of the virus particle.
It’s a wonderful collaboration of art and science - a freelance scientific illustrator, virus research scientists, and a team of visualisation / simulation experts.
Images and videos are available on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) COVID-19 website (click the link above the first bullet, below the title).
The project is an attempt to collect all currently known information about COVID, and present it in a way that will help people understand it.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 27, 2020

nature.com

New study on people who became blind during their life (ie weren’t blind from birth), and have damaged eyes / optic nerves, but not the brain part that actually “sees”.
The study shows that when you stimulate the “seeing” part of their brains with precise patterns of electrical impulses, they kind of see the things you’re trying to show.
So far scientists have only “shown” (i.e. transmitted directly into their brains) the shapes of letters like “N” or “Z”.
This is very early stage, but it’s a promising sign that perhaps in the future blind people will be able to see without seeing.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 20, 2020

Scientists replicate common feature of human bones and colorful coral reefs—adjustable mineral deposits (essentially, they get harder to counteract force).
This feature has been applied to a new material, and successfully tested in a laboratory environment.
There have been other approaches to replicate this natural feature in materials, but this new approach is simple, low-cost, and doesn’t require extra energy.
It could potentially lead to a “new class of self-regenerating materials that can self-reinforce” when damaged, making way for new types of medical devices.
This study also adds a lot of new insights to what scientists know about dynamic materials and the process of remineralization.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on April 20, 2020

annals.org

New study, done by South Korean scientists, shows that “neither surgical nor cotton masks effectively filtered SARS–CoV-2 during coughs by infected patients.”.
Even though previous research shows these masks were effective for influenza, they are not an effective way to stop the spread of COVID.
Scientists don’t know yet how much of the virus is transmitted during coughing.
It’s worth noting, that the COVID contamination was actually bigger on the outside of the masks, than on the inside.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on April 7, 2020

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