Lifeboat Foundation

A team of metallurgists and geochemists at Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, working with a mechanical engineer from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has improved their previous electrokinetic mining technique by scaling it up to industrial levels. In their paper published in Nature Sustainability, the group describes the changes they made to their system, and the results of testing they conducted at a mine.

Modern technology is reliant on multiple rare earth elements —they are used in EVs, smartphones and computers, for example. Unfortunately, mining such elements is extremely environmentally unfriendly. Huge machines are used to dig dirt and rock from large mines, where it is mixed with water and a host of toxic chemicals in order to extract the desired elements.

The process produces thousands of metric tons of toxic waste. The team in China has been working for several years to develop a cleaner way to extract the elements. It involves generating an electric field underground that coaxes the desired elements closer together and concentrates them, making for a much easier and cleaner separation process.

“Nowadays we always have our mobile phones or a flashlight, but to see bioluminescence in the forest, it has to be pitch black,” said Rudolf.

They collected some samples of the glowing specimen, originally thinking it was a known bioluminescent species called Mycena haematopus. In their well-lit studio, the artists realized that it was another species called the saffron drop bonnet mushroom (Mycena crocata). While this mushroom is known for its saffron-coloured milk, it had not previously been described as bioluminescent.

[ Related: A simple experiment revealed the complex ‘thoughts’ of fungi. ].

A Global 5G Community, fostering a community and ecosystem around the development of 5G applications.

It was easy to miss Dr. Robert Gray’s quick movements, tapping the screen of his smartphone at the beginning and end of patient visits on a recent day.

But Gray said those fast finger taps have changed his life. He was tapping an app that records discussions during his appointments and then uses artificial intelligence to find the relevant information, summarize it and zap it, within seconds, into each patient’s electronic medical record.

The technology was meticulously documenting each visit so Gray didn’t have to.

Scientists at EPFL achieved a breakthrough by synchronizing six mechanical oscillators into a collective quantum state, enabling observations of unique phenomena like quantum sideband asymmetry. This advance paves the way for innovations in quantum computing and sensing.

Quantum technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the universe, and one promising area involves macroscopic mechanical oscillators. These devices, already integral to quartz watches, mobile phones, and telecommunications lasers, could play a transformative role in the quantum realm. At the quantum scale, macroscopic oscillators have the potential to enable ultra-sensitive sensors and advanced components for quantum computing, unlocking groundbreaking innovations across multiple industries.

Achieving control over mechanical oscillators at the quantum level is a critical step toward realizing these future technologies. However, managing them collectively poses significant challenges, as it demands nearly identical units with exceptional precision.

Apple could bring Samsung into its camera sensor supply chain, with a new rumor claiming that it is developing a new 3-layer stacked sensor.

The European market is making USB-C the sole interface for battery charging on mobile and portable gadgets. The EU Parliament approved the USB Type-C mandate in 2022, compelling even reluctant manufacturers to adopt the port for their chargers. By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU must feature a USB-C charging port – and that’s just the beginning.

After revolutionizing global internet access, Elon Musk’s Starlink is poised to take smartphone connectivity to the next level. The ambitious satellite service will soon enable users to make calls from virtually anywhere on the planet, all without the need for specialized hardware.

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, has announced its plans to introduce Direct-to-Cell, a groundbreaking feature that uses its vast satellite network to allow voice calls on regular smartphones. What sets this apart is its simplicity—there’s no need for modifications to your device. As long as your phone is LTE-compatible, you’re ready to connect.

This innovation could fundamentally change how we think about mobile communication. Imagine being able to make calls from the remotest corners of the Earth—whether you’re deep in a rainforest, sailing in the middle of the ocean, or trekking across deserts—with no cell towers in sight. Starlink’s satellite system makes this scenario entirely possible.

Apple is on the brink of becoming the first company in history to surpass a $4 trillion market valuation, Fortune reports.

Apple’s stock (AAPL) has nearly risen 40% in 2024. Before the markets opened on December 27, Apple’s market capitalization stood at $3.92 trillion, leaving the company just a modest surge in stock value away from the unprecedented milestone. The growth is said to have been fueled largely by optimism surrounding Apple Intelligence and the continued strength of its iPhone upgrade cycles.