German China
Neutron-rich material is ejected from the disk, enabling the rapid neutron-capture process (r-process). The light blue region is a particularly fast ejection of matter, called a jet, which typically originates parallel to the disk's rotation axis. (National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA)
Germany: Element Synthesis

Where Does Gold Come From? — Black Holes as Goldmines of the Universe

Using computer simulations, an international research team shows that the synthesis of heavy elements is typical for certain black holes with orbiting matter accumulations, so-called accretion disks. The predicted abundance of the formed elements provides insight into which heavy elements need to be studied in future laboratories — such as the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (Fair), which is currently under construction — to unravel the origin of heavy elements.

Read on
 (Public Domain)
Australia: Global Warming

Climate Change: How the 1.5°C-Target Can Still Be Reached

While expectations for any tangible results achieved at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference are low, Australian scientists have outlined a strategy for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. For the first time, sector allocations of the global carbon budget have been provided for both hard-to-abate and all other sectors — twelve main macro industry sectors in total, reporting scope 1, 2 and 3 breakdowns.

Read on
Thermo Scientific TSQ Plus Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (MS) Portfolio.  (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Lab Equipment

New Mass Spectrometry Portfolio Advances Quantitative Analysis

With the enhanced mass spectrometry portfolio offered by Thermo Fisher Scientific, lab managers, technology leaders and principal scientists in pharmaceutical, food and environmental laboratories can now benefit from accelerated throughput and improved sensitivity. The new solutions help them meet rapidly changing regulatory requirements and provide the fast responses needed for tackling emerging human and environmental health risks.

Read on
Bushfires on December 31, 2019 burning along the east coast of Australia. The brown area is burned vegetation with a width of about 50 km and a length of 100 km. (European Space Agency (ESA))
Climate Change

The 10 Most Important Insights on the Climate

Coinciding with the COP26 meeting, leading scientists have released the ten most important new insights on the climate. “The 10 New Insights in Climate Science” series is a horizon scan of the most pressing research findings and emerging scientific insights to help inform immediate and equitable transformations across sectors to preserve a safe and habitable planet.

Read on
Assistant Professor Tan Swee Ching (left), Mr Sai Kishore Ravi (right) and their team from the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Engineering has developed a novel nanofibre solution. (National University of Singapore)
Health Protection

Novel Nanofibre Air Filter Improves Air Flow and Quality

A research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has successfully concocted a novel nanofibre solution that creates thin, see-through air filters that can remove up to 90 % of PM2.5 particles and achieve high air flow of 2.5 times better than conventional air filters. Additionally, this eco-friendly air filter improves natural lighting and visibility while blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Read on