If humans could hijack photosynthesis essentially, plants food factory they could, in theory, capture carbon and produce hydrogen, both potentially helpful in fighting climate change. Absorbing carbon could slow climate change, and manufacturing hydrogen efficiently could create an alternative to CO2-producing fossil fuels.Figuring Out How to Harness PhotosynthesisPlants natural factory is both elegant and efficient: they absorb energy from the sun to process carbon dioxide and water into the sugar and oxygen that sustains them.Although this sounds simple in theory, its incredibly difficult to perform in practice. Scientists have been trying for decades to recreate the process. Now, a team of researchers reports in Nature Chemistry that they have performed a crucial early step.Why has this relatively straightforward-sounding natural process been so hard to mimic in the lab? Essentially, the biochemical machinery that powers the plants plant is quite complex. The process, which happens within plant cells, requires many steps involving multiple dyes, proteins, and other molecules.Stacking It UpTo recreate some of those steps, the team of scientists from Korea and Germany literally took a stacked approach. They built four molecular layers of dyes that mimic those naturally occurring in plant cells. The dye stack absorbs light at one end, essentially filters it into separate charges, and then sends that energy step by step through the stack via electrons.We can specifically trigger the charge transport in this structure with light and have analyzed it in detail, Leander Ernst, a Julius-Maximilians-Universitt (JMU) Wrzburg grad student and co-author of the study, said in a press release. It is efficient and fast. This is an important step towards the development of artificial photosynthesis.This is what the stack of four dyes synthesized in Wrzburg looks like. It represents a further step towards artificial photosynthesis because it absorbs light energy and transfers it quickly and efficiently in the stack.(Image Credit: Leander Ernst / University of Wuerzburg)Taking It HigherSo, whats the next step? The researchers intend to expand the nanosystem of stacked dye molecules, like adding more floors to a skyscraper. The hope is that building the stack molecule by molecule (after, of course, identifying and synthesizing each one) will eventually create a supramolecular wire. This carefully constructed tower of molecules could, theoretically, absorb light energy and move it quickly and efficiently over longer distances.A complex stack of the right molecules, layered correctly, could ultimately mimic what plants do so naturally.Read More: How Does Photosynthesis Work?Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Discover Magazine. How Does Photosynthesis Work?Discover Magazine. Will we ever... photosynthesise like plants?Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

Robotic device coined Digidog on display during NYPD announcement of deployment of innovative technologies in Times Square in 2023.Image: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images ShareLawmakers in New York have proposed a new bill that would make it illegal to mount weapons to robots or drones. That is of course, unless the people operating those weaponized machines happen to work with law enforcement or the military. If passed, the Responsible Robotics Act would make New York the first state to ban weaponized robots for civilians, at a time when government spending on autonomous and semi-autonomous police technology is on the rise.The bill specifically bans the sale, transfer, modification, operation, or equipping of robots or drones with mounted weapons. Prohibited weapons include firearms, stun guns, chemical agents, lasers, and explosives. These restrictions would apply to both remote-controlled machines and those that rely on sensors and AI to operate autonomously. The legislation also prohibits civilians from using a robot to physically restrain a person. Violators could face penalties ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.New York officials discussed the proposal during a press conference in the state capital earlier this week. Spot, a quadruped robot from Boston Dynamics that is currently used by the New York City Police Department, paced around as officials spoke. Lawmakers said the bill was partly inspired by public backlash over social media videos showing robots and drones equipped with flamethrowers and other weapons.Mounting weapons to robots or drones that are remotely or autonomously operated, widely available to the public, and capable of navigating within locations where people live and work, raises new risks of harm and serious ethical issues, the bills authors write. The development and use of such weaponized robots will also harm public trust in the technology in ways thatdamage the tremendous benefits they will bring to society.Cops and contractors get a passThose new restrictions notably do not apply to defense industrial companies working with the U.S. Department of Defense or some local law enforcement, though the latter is still expected to disclose whenever it deploys one of these robots. Government officials are also permitted to use weapon-mounted robots for explosive disposal or the destruction of property if they perceive an imminent threat to human life. Law enforcement must still obtain a warrant to deploy a weaponized robot in any situation where a warrant would typically be required. In theory, this should prevent armed robots from entering homes or apartments without probable cause.A Boston Dynamics spokesperson told Popular Science the company supports the legislation and believes the best uses for its Spot robots are those that keep people out of harms way and help resolve dangerous situations. The company went on to say that all of its customers are required to comply with its terms and conditions of sale, which prohibit any attempted weaponization of the robot.In general, we encourage all police departments utilizing the robot to be clear and transparent with their communities in outlining specific situations where the robot will be used, and we strongly suggest that departments publicly post their detailed deployment policies and procedures on their websites, the spokesperson said.Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn told Popular Science that while he sees the legislation as an important step, he believes more must be done to combat the growing use of robot surveillance by police. STOP regularly publishes reports and statements criticizing law enforcements expanding surveillance practices.The growing pressure to move drone weaponry from the battlefield to our backyards is terrifying and we need to make it clear that its illegal to transform these increasingly ubiquitous devices into lethal long arms of the law, Fox Cahn said.Similar legislation advanced in Massachusetts last year also seeks to prohibit weaponized robots, with exceptions for defense contractors and law enforcement bomb squads. But several states are attempting to go a step further. A proposed bill in Montana would bar anyone, including local police, from equipping robots with guns, swords, or other weapons. Another bill in Rhode Island aims to prevent law enforcement from acquiring robot dogs and drones, whether they are armed or not. None of these bills have passed.Police forces are ramping up robot spendingThe bill comes amid an uptick in spending on robotics and other policing technology by New York law enforcement. In 2023, the NYPD signed a new contract with Boston Dynamics worth an estimated $750,000 to bring its Spot robot dog back to the city. This followed the departments earlier $94,000 Spot contract, which was cut short after it sparked backlash when it was reportedly deployed to respond to a home invasion in the Bronx. Since then, the NYPD has deployed small aerial drones on numerous occasions to surveil sites of reported gunshots and robberies. The drones have also been used to monitor large public gatherings for signs of disruptions. Police briefly displayed a Knightscope K5 mobile surveillance robot to monitor subways but ended that program following criticism from advocates, some of whom referred to it as a trash can on wheels. The NYPD has also reportedly spent $222,000 on small, two-wheeled throw bots, which can be sent into dangerous areas for reconnaissance.https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/1645857539190398976And New York isnt alone. Police departments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Honolulu, and many others have all increased spending on robots in recent years. Back in 2016, police in Dallas made history by using a robot strapped with explosives to kill a suspected shooter for the first time. More recently, lawmakers in San Francisco and Oakland have considered the possibility of using armed robots to engage targets. In Oakland, city officials discussed attaching a shotgun to a four-wheeled robot. While their future is unknown, armed robots are likely here to stay.

Im truly impressed with the Stanley Cups staying power as a cultural object. In recent years, it has outgrown its station as a simple piece of drinkware and become a seemingly omnipresent accessory. Theyre in schools. Theyre in gyms. Theyre everywhere. Right now, Amazon has several colors of the 30-ounce Stanley Quench tumbler for just $26, which is a full 25 percent off. The 40-ounce version is down to $33.75 from $45. Thats cheaper than they were on Black Friday last year. The only way youre going to get them cheaper is if you find some for sale on Facebook Marketplace and risk your life meeting up in an Applebees parking lot to make the transaction.Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler with Handle and Straw 30 oz $26.25 (was $35)Stanley This is the tumbler that birthed 1,000 copycat tumblers. Its a double-wall stainless steel vessel with a sturdy plastic top and a reusable straw. The lid offers three positions: one with room for the straw, one with an opening for sipping, and one totally locked down for spill-proof transport. It comes in a ton of colors, but not all of them are on sale right now. Luckily for you, I have clicked through all of them to find out which ones are.Colors that are on sale:Blue spruceFuchsiaIndigoCream 2.0NectarinePlumShaleStainless steel shale (my personal favorite)Tigerlilly plum (orange with purple)STANLEY Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel 64-ounce $45 (was $60)Stanley If you want even more than 30 or even 40 ounces, you can step all the way up to the 64-ounce tumbler. Thats a half-gallon of whatever beverage youre lugging along. This cup has a different shape, so it cant fit into a car cupholder, but it does have the same great lid, straw, and handle.

Nature, Published online: 14 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00681-4In this era of anti-science activism, its wise to take steps to protect your research and reputation in the digital realm.

Nature, Published online: 14 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00812-xThe US government has begun slashing US$400 million in research grants at Columbia University over pro-Palestinian campus protests.

Chinese startup Butterfly Effect has unveiled what it claims is the first general AI agent capable of acting autonomously.

Skywatchers snapped photos of the "blood moon" hovering above North and South America last night. Here's a gallery of images to celebrate the total lunar eclipse.

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3D Character Artist Alex Lashko revealed a final version of his 3D corch Blender rig, which can help artists study the structure of the human body.The rigged corch model is a recreation of the human bodys muscles, which is used by artists to study anatomy. The work by Alex Lashko includes a fully rigged and textured in 8K resolution skeleton and muscles, each named, several modes of view, such as expanded and contracted states of muscles, for easy visualization of muscles and their connections, and some other options for facilitating the studying process.Before, the artist has been showcasing progress on creating the rig:Get the rig on ArtStation or cgtrader. Also,dont forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Check Out This Full Body Blender Rig for Studying Muscles appeared first on CG SHARES.

Artist , or snow_chick1414 on X/Twitter, showed off a cool Mario sticker. Although it looks flat and almost 2D, it is actually a 3D object created inside Blender.I could totally see the art attached to a 3D laptop or a notebook, and it would look as if it were born to be there (and maybe it was, who knows what snow_chick1414s plans for the asset are.)Perhaps they will stick it to their other projects, which you can find on X/Twitter.If you love 2D-like art as much as we do, check out this cool painterly scene, that cute (and scary) bee, the delicious soup,beautiful still life render, tastyramen,Studio Ghibli-style food, and Gaku Tadas Blender art.Also, join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post This Mario Sticker Is Actually Made in 3D with Blender appeared first on CG SHARES.