‘Fallout’ success: video game nostalgia spans multiple media, explains expert

Mention the name “Fallout” to a dedicated gamer, and you might well see their eyes light up with nostalgia. Amazon Prime’s new “Fallout” TV show racked up high scores with critics and audiences alike. Virginia Tech media expert James Ivory answered questions about the appeal of “Fallout” and what its success could mean for the future of entertainment media.

Scientists are shaking up lithium extraction with a different kind of chemistry

Scientists at the Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub, led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory, have developed a new process, mechanochemical extraction of lithium at low temperatures, or MELLT, to increase and diversify the supply of lithium in the United States.

Computer Scientists Unveil Novel Attacks on Cybersecurity

Researchers have found two novel types of attacks that target the conditional branch predictor found in high-end Intel processors, which could be exploited to compromise billions of processors currently in use.  The multi-university and industry research team led by computer scientists at University of California San Diego will present their work at the 2024 ACM ASPLOS Conference that begins tomorrow.

Eco-friendly nanobiolubricants set to transform industrial grinding practices

A review recently published underscores substantial advancements in employing nanobiolubricants within grinding operations, presenting a sustainable and efficient methodology that perfectly combines environmental awareness with enhanced industrial performance. This approach promises to set new standards in manufacturing processes by optimizing resource efficiency and minimizing ecological impact.

New Tool Helps Identify Babies at High-Risk for RSV

A new tool to identify infants most at risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness could aid pediatricians in prioritizing children under 1 to receive a preventive medication before RSV season (October-April), according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) research published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases and to be presented at the American Thoracic Society 2024 International Conference.

Continued Medicare Reimbursement Declines Could Threaten Access to Physicians

A new Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute study found that physician reimbursement per Medicare patient decreased 2.3% between 2005 and 2021 when accounting for inflation, despite a concurrent increase of 45.5% in physician services to each patient. These reimbursement trends varied widely by physician specialty (-57.6% for cardiac surgery to +189.1% for pain management).

New Sodium-ion battery tech boosts green energy storage affordability

In significant advances for energy-storage technologies, researchers have developed high–ionic-conductivity solid-state electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries that dramatically enhances at room temperature. This breakthrough not only paves the way for more efficient and affordable energy storage solutions but also strengthens the viability of sodium-ion batteries as a sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion systems.

“Developing Thai Family Stability to Fight Human Crisis” Workshop

Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University’s College of Population Studies and Institute of Asian Studies, Chula Ari, and World Bank, organized a workshop on “Developing Thai Family Stability to Fight Human Crisis” on March 7, 2024, at Plenary Hall 1, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, gave the opening speech and offered his insights on the policies on the human crisis situation.

Scientists discover higher levels of CO2 increase survival of viruses in the air and transmission risk

A new study has revealed for the first time the vital role carbon dioxide (CO2) plays in determining the lifespan of airborne viruses – namely SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It clearly showed keeping CO2 levels in check helps to reduce virus survival, and therefore the risk of infection.

These jacks-of-all-trades are masters, too: Yeast study helps answer age-old biology question

The results, published April 26 in the journal Science, suggest that internal — not external — factors are the primary drivers of variation in the types of carbon yeasts can eat, and the researchers found no evidence that metabolic versatility, or the ability to eat different foods, comes with any trade-offs. In other words, some yeasts are jacks-of-all-trades and masters of each.

ETRI published Key International Standards for Wearable Healthcare

ETRI researchers have published key international standards for testing the accuracy of essential health management functions, such as step counting and heart rate monitoring, in wearable devices. This initiative has created a global common criterion for evaluating measurement accuracy in wearable devices.

Study Unveils Balance of AI and Preserving Humanity in Health Care

The survey of more than 1,100 nursing professionals and students shows that more than half express reservations toward the integration of artificial intelligence and 38% question its potential benefits for the nursing field. In addition, despite the potential of telehealth services, 74% of nurses have never utilized them, citing doubts about their efficacy in delivering comprehensive patient care. The new report recommends four strategies for health care organizations to empower nurses in adopting AI.