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Creating a (synthetic) song from a zebra finch's muscle

Birds create songs by moving muscles in their vocal organs to vibrate air passing through their tissues, and new research shows that these muscles act in concert to create sound. Scientists describe how zebra finches produce songs: Using electromyographic signals, they tracked the activity of one muscle involved in creating sound, the syringealis ventralis. They then used the data from this muscle to create a synthetic zebra finch song.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731125540.htm

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Energy-intensive Bitcoin transactions pose a growing environmental threat

A study warns that failure to lower the energy use by Bitcoin and similar Blockchain designs may prevent nations from reaching their climate change mitigation obligations under the Paris Agreement.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731104219.htm

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Astronomers assemble 'light-fingerprints' to unveil mysteries of the cosmos

Earthbound detectives rely on fingerprints to solve their cases; now astronomers can do the same, using 'light-fingerprints' instead of skin grooves to uncover the mysteries of exoplanets.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731104211.htm

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Next-generation photodetector camera to deploy during demo mission

Testing tools and technologies for refueling and repairing satellites in orbit won't be the only demonstration taking place aboard the International Space Station during NASA's next Robotic Refueling Mission 3, or RRM3.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731103951.htm

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Clearer vision of the biochemical reaction that allows us to see

What happens when a photon collides with a molecule? A reaction takes place that often changes the shape of the molecule, and therefore its functionality. This is what makes it possible for us to see, for example. Scientists propose a refined approximation of the equation that describes the effect of this photo-excitation on the components of such molecules.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731092105.htm

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New electrocatalyst developed for ORR

Scientists have fabricated a new type of VNQD-NG as nonprecious metal-based electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This has significant practical and commercial applications.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731092049.htm

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Exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields at work not associated with brain tumors

No clear associations were found between occupational exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) and risk of glioma or meningioma, in one of the largest epidemiological studies performed to date and led by ISGlobal, an institution supported by 'la Caixa' Foundation. However, the findings highlight the need for further research on radiofrequency magnetic fields and tumor promotion, as well as possible interactions with other frequencies and with chemicals.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731092046.htm

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Optical fibers that can 'feel' the materials around them

Researchers have developed an optical fiber capable of detecting what sort of material or liquid they have come into contact with.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731092042.htm

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A colossal breakthrough for topological spintronics

Scientists have developed the world's best-performing pure spin current source made of bismuth-antimony (BiSb) alloys, which they report as the best candidate for the first industrial application of topological insulators. The achievement represents a big step forward in the development of spin-orbit torque magnetoresistive random-access memory (SOT-MRAM) devices with the potential to replace existing memory technologies.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180731092023.htm

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Plate tectonics not needed to sustain life

There may be more habitable planets in the universe than we previously thought, according to geoscientists, who suggest that plate tectonics -- long assumed to be a requirement for suitable conditions for life -- are in fact not necessary.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180730172814.htm

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Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/top/technology/