Computer America

Solar-powered ‘artificial plant’ purifies radioactive soil by 95% in 20 daysSource: Interesting Engineering Story by Aman TripathiLink: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/artificial-plant-cleans-radioactive-soilSee also: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1099362See also: https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/purifying-radioactive-soil-sunlight-alone-dgist-successfully-developed-%E2%80%9Cartificial-plant%E2%80%9DSee research paper here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c03657Microsoft claims a 'breakthrough' in AI chip coolingSource: Engadget.com Story by Will ShanklinLink: https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-claims-a-breakthrough-in-ai-chip-cooling-193106705.htmlSee also Microsoft’s information: https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microfluidics-liquid-cooling-ai-chips/?msockid=3234617e11b66d9c06b0770c100c6c8dBattery made from natural materials could replace conventional lithium-ion batteriesSource: TechXplore on MSN Story by Lesley HentonLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/battery-made-from-natural-materials-could-replace-conventional-lithium-ion-batteries/ar-AA1Ne9KtSee Texas A&M post here: https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2025/09/24/battery-made-from-natural-materials-could-replace-conventional-lithium-ion-batteries/See research paper here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509325122AI spine model developed by Florida Atlantic University and Baptist Health could transform back pain treatmentSource: Florida Atlantic University Story by Gisele GaloustianLink: https://www.fau.edu/engineering/biomedical/news/2509-ai-spine-modeling-back-pain/See research paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878875025005923Scientific breakthrough leads to 'fluorescent biological qubit'Source: LiveScience.com Story by Roland Moore-ColyerLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/scientific-breakthrough-leads-to-fluorescent-biological-qubit-it-could-mean-turning-your-cells-into-quantum-sensorsImproving prediction of worsening knee osteoarthritis with an AI-assisted modelSource: MedicalXpress.com Story by Science X staffLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-worsening-knee-osteoarthritis-ai.htmlLaser-blasted 'black metal' could make solar technology 15 times more efficientSource: LiveScience.com Story by Owen HughesLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/laser-blastedebayack-metal-could-make-solar-technology-15-times-more-efficient/ar-AA1LaV4BThis New Solid-State EV Battery Charges Quicker Than Getting GasSource: InsideEVs.com Story by Iulian DnistranLink: https://insideevs.com/news/771520/rimac-solid-state-battery-specs/

Show Notes 3 October 2025Story 1: Some Layers of Your Brain Actually Get Stronger as You AgeSource: ScienceAlert.comStory by: Michelle StarrLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/some-layers-of-your-brain-actually-get-stronger-as-you-ageResearch Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02013-1Story 2: Engineers harness light to help heart cells beat stronger and healthierSource: Knowridge.com (News from UC Irvine)Link: https://knowridge.com/2025/09/engineers-harness-light-to-help-heart-cells-beat-stronger-and-healthier/Research Paper: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509467122Story 3: UCSB-designed soft robot intubation device could save livesSource: UC Santa Barbara “The Current”Story by: Sonia FernandezLink: https://news.ucsb.edu/2025/022019/ucsb-designed-soft-robot-intubation-device-could-save-livesResearch Paper: https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.ads7681Story 4: Wi-Fi sleep monitoring method offers a non-intrusive, accurate alternative to more cumbersome techniquesSource: MedicalXpress.comStory by: David BradleyLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/wi-fi-sleep-monitoring-method-offers-a-non-intrusive-accurate-alternative-to-more-cumbersome-techniques/ar-AA1Mn7tvResearch Paper: https://www.inderscience.com/info/inarticle.php?artid=148201Honorable MentionsStory: A new catalyst could make mixed plastic recycling a realitySource: Phys.orgStory by: Robert EganLink: https://phys.org/news/2025-09-catalyst-plastic-recycling-reality.htmlResearch Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-025-01892-yStory: A New Solar Panel Shield Made From Onion Peels Outlasted Industry Plastics in TestsSource: ZME ScienceStory by: Tudor TaritaLink: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/renewable-energy-ecology/a-new-solar-panel-shield-made-from-onion-peels-outlasted-industry-plastics-in-tests/Story: Bio-oil made with corn stalks, wood debris could plug orphaned fossil fuel wellsSource: Iowa State UniversityLink: https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/bio-oil-made-corn-stalks-wood-debris-could-plug-orphaned-fossil-fuel-wellsStory: Biochar yields triple win for cotton: Healthier soil, less water, and 87% less nitrogen runoffSource: Anthropocene MagazineStory by: Emma BryceLink: https://www.realclearscience.com/2025/08/11/biochar_yields_a_triple_win_for_cotton_1127969.html

Show Notes 26 September 2025Story 1: No sorting needed: Plasma torch shows promise for hassle-free plastic recyclingSource: TechXplore.comLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-plasma-torch-hassle-free-plastic.htmlStory 2: MIT spinoff achieves major milestone in pursuit of limitless energy beneath our feet: 'Could fundamentally change how we power our world'Source: The Cool Down via MSN.comLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/mit-spinoff-achieves-major-milestone-in-pursuit-of-limitless-energy-beneath-our-feet-could-fundamentally-change-how-we-power-our-world/ar-AA1KOf5nVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYHcCsFlD2QSee also: https://www.quaise.com/Story 3: Scientists build micromotors smaller than a human hair - Tiny light-powered gears could revolutionize medicine by powering machines the size of human cells.Source: ScienceDaily.comLink: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918025025.htmResearch paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62869-6Story 4: New Ultrasound Helmet Reaches Deep Inside the Brain Without SurgerySource: ScienceAlert.comLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/new-ultrasound-helmet-reaches-deep-inside-the-brain-without-surgeryResearch paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63020-1Honorable MentionsStory: NASA Is Testing a Nuclear Battery That Could Last 433 YearsSource: Popular MechanicsLink: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a65964293/nuclear-battery-433-years/Story: China’s transparent coating to turn ordinary windows into solar power generatorsSource: Interesting EngineeringLink: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/colorless-coating-turn-windows-into-solar-panelsStory: Scientists Pitch Bold Plan to Turn Nuclear Waste Into Nuclear Fuel - Tapping into discarded nuclear waste could help generate a self-sufficient source of a key ingredient for nuclear fusion, a new plan proposes.Source: GizmodoLink: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-pitch-bold-plan-to-turn-nuclear-waste-into-nuclear-fuel-2000643875Story: Scientists Made ‘Jelly Ice’ That Never Melts. It’s Edible, Compostable and ReusableSource: ZME ScienceLink: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-made-jelly-ice-that-never-melts-its-edible-compostable-and-reusable/

Show Notes 19 September 2025Story 1: Researchers building RoboBalls to explore other planetsSource: The Purdue Exponent, a student-run newspaper serving the Purdue community in West Lafayette, Indiana Story by Dean MurrayLink: https://www.purdueexponent.org/news/national/researchers-building-roboballs-to-explore-other-planets/article_2c06a5ae-3b24-5834-bfc8-9f7df72e299c.htmlSee the school’s website for the project: https://rad.engr.tamu.edu/roboball-i/See the school’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKRN0EEJ5VESee video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/637417789106125And see video posted on this article from MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/news/researchers-working-on-swarm-of-roboballs-to-send-to-other-planets/vi-AA1LSgsN?t=72Story 2: This paint sweats to cool off buildings. No energy required.Source: Anthropocene MagazineLink: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/06/new-paint-sweats-to-cool-off-buildings/See research paper here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt3372See also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/researchers-develop-extraordinary-paint-that-can-sweat-to-keep-buildings-cool-a-practical-and-long-term-solution/ar-AA1L7zL9Story 3: Biochar from Human Waste Offers a Circular Solution to Fertilizer Shortages - Excrement contains nutrients needed for crop growth and a new source of them could cut farming’s huge CO2 outputSource: The GuardianLink: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/aug/11/biochar-from-human-waste-could-solve-global-fertiliser-shortages-study-findsSee research paper here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2503668122image source: https://biochartoday.com/news/biochar-from-human-waste-offers-a-circular-solution-to-fertilizer-shortages/Story 4: WiFi signals can measure heart rate — no wearables neededSource: University of California, Santa CruzLink: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/wifi-signals-can-measure-heart-rate-no-wearables-neededSee research paper here: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/11096342Honorable MentionsStory: California’s first solar-covered canal is now fully onlineSource: Canary Media [Clean energy journalism for a cooler tomorrow] Story by Maria GallucciLink: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/california-first-canal-array-project-nexusStory: 3D-printed electronics can dissolve in water for quick recyclingSource: NewScientist.com Story by Jeremy HsuLink: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2493756-3d-printed-electronics-can-dissolve-in-water-for-quick-recycling/Story: Ice-cooled buildings could ease strain on power gridSource: TechXplore.com Story by Lesley HentonLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-ice-cooled-ease-strain-power.htmlStory: Novel backpack enhances stability for people with ataxiaSource: MedicalXpress.com Story from Radboud UniversityLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-backpack-stability-people-ataxia.html

Show Notes:Story 1: Map of 600,000 brain cells rewrites the textbook on how the brain makes decisionsSource: LiveScience.comLink: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/map-of-600-000-brain-cells-rewrites-the-textbook-on-how-the-brain-makes-decisionsStory 2: Super solar cells withstand 10,000 bends, retain over 85% output after 2,800 hoursSource: InterestingEngineering.com via MSNLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/renewable-energy/super-solar-cells-withstand-10-000-bends-retain-over-85-output-after-2-800-hours/ar-AA1JEC2zStory 3: Soft skin, sharp senses: New robotic 'touch' sees danger before it hitsSource: TechExplore.comLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-soft-skin-sharp-robotic-danger.htmlResearch Paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11097357Story 4: Soft wearable robot jacket responds to movements, supports upper-limb impairmentsSource: InterestingEngineering.comLink: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-engineers-robot-worn-like-jacketsResearch Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62538-8Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFHTyUrAaz0&t=12sHonorable Mentions:Story: Some People Are Immune to All Viruses. Scientists Now Want to Replicate This Ability for a Universal AntiviralSource: ZME ScienceLink: https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/universal-antiviral/Story: Generative AI designs compounds that can kill drug-resistant bacteriaSource: Phys.orgLink: https://phys.org/news/2025-08-generative-ai-compounds-drug-resistant.htmlResearch Paper: https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00855-4Story: This New Indoor Solar Cell Could Power the Entire Internet of Things Using Only the Light from Your CeilingSource: ZME ScienceLink: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/this-new-indoor-solar-cell-could-power-the-entire-internet-of-things-using-only-the-light-from-your-ceiling/Story: Researchers Explore ‘Biomining’ Seaweed for Critical MineralsSource: Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryLink: https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/researchers-explore-biomining-seaweed-critical-minerals

Story 1: Scientists use quantum machine learning to create semiconductors for the first timeSource: LiveScience.comLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/scientists-use-quantum-machine-learning-to-create-semiconductors-for-the-first-time-and-it-could-transform-how-chips-are-madeResearch Paper: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202506213Story 2: How used EV batteries could help fuel the AI boomSource: CBS NewsLink: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/used-ev-batteries-artificial-intelligence/Also See: https://www.crusoe.ai/Also See: https://www.redwoodmaterials.com/Story 3: Carbon-Negative Building Material Made from Seawater and CO2Source: TechnologyNetworks.comLink: https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/carbon-negative-building-material-made-from-seawater-and-co2-397532Story 4: Researchers develop a biosensor based on light and AI for early diagnosis of cancerSource: MedicalXpress.comLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-biosensor-based-ai-early-diagnosis.htmlResearch Paper: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202503257Honorable MentionsStory: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Researchers Develop Cleaner, Scalable Process to Recycle Lithium-Ion BatteriesSource: WPI News WebsiteLink: https://www.wpi.edu/news/wpi-researchers-develop-cleaner-scalable-process-recycle-lithium-ion-batteriesResearch Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2405829725003848Story: pFIBRE Launches Scalable Biodegradable Films to Replace Single-Use PlasticsSource: ThePackHub.comLink: https://thepackhub.com/innovation-news/pfibre-launches-scalable-biodegradable-films-to-replace-single-use-plastics/Story: Scientists Create Living Plastic Alternative - And it's edible, too!Source: Futurism.comLink: https://futurism.com/scientists-living-plasticAlso See: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-create-biodegradable-plastic-alternative-thats-literally-aliveStory: Nth Cycle is bringing critical metals refining to the U.S. - the company is already producing nickel and cobalt from battery scrap in OhioSource: MIT NewsLink: https://news.mit.edu/2025/nth-cycle-brings-critical-metals-refining-0627Also See: https://nthcycle.com/

Popzara.com. Nathan Evans, Managing Editor.Throughout Popzara you’ll find views on gaming, movies, technology, cultural icons and so much more. Reviews and previews, in-depth analyses, opinion pieces, conversations, and a regularly updated Podcast keep things interesting and always entertaining. Our diverse editorial staff is committed to bringing this cornucopia of editorial goodness in fair-minded and positive ways, with minimal snark and maximum fun. A little bit of everything for the discriminating reader and curious listener is what you’ll find at Popzara.Topics:https://www.pcworld.com/article/2893466/holy-crap-roblox-hits-45-million-concurrent-players-beating-steam.htmlhttps://www.gameshub.com/news/news/shinobi-art-of-vengeance-returns-2799329https://www.tomsguide.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-is-making-it-even-easier-and-cheaper-to-stream-games-via-game-pass-everything-you-need-to-knowhttps://www.theverge.com/news/767522/microsoft-word-automatic-document-save-cloud-defaulthttps://www.engadget.com/social-media/early-blogging-service-typepad-is-shutting-down-for-good-130033731.htmlhttps://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/waymo-gets-the-green-light-to-test-in-new-york-city-everything-to-know-about-the-robotaxihttps://www.techspot.com/news/109248-taco-bell-slows-down-ai-drive-thru-push.htmlhttps://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/kobo-ereaders-are-swapping-out-pocket-for-instapaper-190615508.htmlCheck out more stories from ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 22 August 2025Story 1: Zapping Volunteers' Brains with Electricity Boosted Their Math SkillsSource: ScienceAlert.comLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/zapping-volunteers-brains-with-electricity-boosted-their-maths-skillsStory 2: Moon mining takes giant leap forward with plans to harvest lunar soilSource: Newsweek via MSNLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/moon-mining-takes-giant-leap-forward-with-plans-to-harvest-lunar-soil/ar-AA1JFqd9Story 3: University of British Columbia researchers create 3D-printed living lung tissue - Printed tissue enables better testing of drugs and disease pathwaysSource: University of British Columbia websiteLink: https://news.ok.ubc.ca/2025/07/15/ubco-researchers-create-3d-printed-living-lung-tissue/Story 4: AI designs molecular missiles to precisely target cancer cellsLink: https://www.dtu.dk/english/newsarchive/2025/07/ai-platform-designs-molecular-missiles-to-attack-cancer-cellsHonorable MentionsStory: AI-powered microscope predicts, and tracks protein aggregation linked to brain diseasesSource: EPFL NewsLink: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/smart-microscope-captures-aggregation-of-misfold-2/Story: Rolls-Royce teams up for advanced modular nuclear reactors to power 3 million homesSource: InterestingEngineering.comLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/rolls-royce-teams-up-for-advanced-modular-nuclear-reactors-to-power-3-million-homes/ar-AA1JOpTmStory: Cells Outside the Brain Show Signs of Memory And "Learning" For the First TimeSource: IFL ScienceLink: https://www.iflscience.com/cells-outside-the-brain-show-signs-of-memory-and-learning-for-the-first-time-7945Story: A New Hidden State of Matter Could Make Computers 1,000x FasterSource: Popular MechanicsLink: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a65531679/hidden-metallic-state/

Show Notes 15 August 2025Story 1: Meta researchers are developing a gesture-controlled wristband that can interact with a computerSource: TechCrunch.comLink: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/meta-researchers-are-developing-a-gesture-controlled-wristband-that-can-interact-with-a-computer/Find the research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09255-wStory 2: First standard production tire with over 70% bio-based and recycled materialsSource: Pirelli News ReleaseLink: https://press.pirelli.com/pirelli-first-standard-production-tyre-with-over-70-bio-based-and-recycled-materials/#_ftn1Story 3: Who-Fi: An AI-Powered Wi-Fi Technology That Can Identify and Track Individuals Without CamerasSource: Gadgets360.comLink: https://www.gadgets360.com/internet/news/whofi-wifi-technology-ai-tracking-biometric-signals-behind-walls-without-cameras-study-8949928See also: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/wifi-fingerprint-ai-tracking-without-deviceSee research paper here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.12869Story 4: Scientists create first mini lungs with built-in blood vessels, unlocking new insights for pulmonary vascular diseaseSource: MedicalXpress.comLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-scientists-mini-lungs-built-blood.htmlSee also: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/scientists-create-first-mini-lungs-built-blood-vessels-unlocking-new-insights-pulmonarySee research paper here: https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00628-2Honorable MentionsStory: Scientists develop game-changing method to make use of walnut and pistachio shells [to make biomass fuel]Source: The Cool Down via MSNLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/scientists-develop-game-changing-method-to-make-use-of-walnut-and-pistachio-shells-a-significant-step-forward/ar-AA1HFuM5Story: World’s most advanced haptic gloves bring real-time touch into virtual realitySource: Timesofinnovation.comLink: https://timesofinnovation.com/ai-in-healthcare/worlds-most-advanced-haptic-gloves-bring-real-time-touch-into-virtual-reality/Story: US firm to build 3,275°F brick battery to decarbonize steel and cement plantsSource: InterestingEngineering.comLink: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/mass-produce-heat-storing-electric-bricksStory: Smarter flow simulation model for analyzing blood flow in brain aneurysms improves efficiency and accuracySource: MedicalXpress.comLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-smarter-simulation-blood-brain-aneurysms.html

Popzara.com. Nathan Evans, Managing Editor.Throughout Popzara you’ll find views on gaming, movies, technology, cultural icons and so much more. Reviews and previews, in-depth analyses, opinion pieces, conversations, and a regularly updated Podcast keep things interesting and always entertaining. Our diverse editorial staff is committed to bringing this cornucopia of editorial goodness in fair-minded and positive ways, with minimal snark and maximum fun. A little bit of everything for the discriminating reader and curious listener is what you’ll find at Popzara.Topics:Google: Actually, AI in Search is driving more queries and higher quality clicksHulu App to Be Phased Out; 'Fully Integrating' Into Disney+Baidu robotaxi falls into construction pit in China, raising safety concerns | ReutersMeta says these wild headset prototypes could be the future of VRNintendo Switch 2: The Fastest Selling Console Ever With Over 5 Million Units Sold In Its First Month - SuperbCrewGPT-5 is being released to all ChatGPT users | The Verge