Latest news with #HeinrichHeineUniversityDüsseldorf
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
CERN scientists 'transport' antimatter from France to Switzerland
Scientists at CERN have successfully transported antimatter outside their laboratory for the first time, marking a breakthrough in physics research. The European research centre developed a specialised two-metre-long containment device to safely carry antimatter over a four-kilometre (2.5-mile) journey. The antimatter was transported by truck across the CERN campus, crossing the border from France into Switzerland before returning to its starting point. The achievement, detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature, demonstrates the potential to move antimatter to laboratories across Europe via public roads. 'This experiment confirms the feasibility of relocating trapped protons without loss, operating autonomously without external power for four hours,' the study stated. 'It opens the way to transferring antimatter to low-noise research facilities in the vicinity and beyond.' Antimatter, which is essential to understanding the universe and fundamental physics, is notoriously difficult to produce and contain. CERN WANTS TO SHIP ANTIMATTER ACROSS EUROPE... IN A BOX? Antimatter is real. It explodes if it touches anything. So yeah, transporting it is tricky. CERN—the same lab with the giant particle collider—just built a 2-meter-long container that keeps antimatter cold (5 Kelvin),… — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 20, 2025 It requires particle collisions at near-light speeds and magnetic traps to prevent it from annihilating on contact with normal matter. Only a handful of facilities worldwide can generate antimatter. CERN's success in transporting antimatter safely could enable expanded research capabilities at institutions such as Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf in Germany, located nearly 800 kilometres from CERN, which is expected to be among the first to receive antimatter shipments. Researchers hailed the experiment as the beginning of a 'new era in precision antimatter research' that may unlock deeper insights into the nature of space and matter.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make game-changing breakthrough that could solve billion-dollar problem for agriculture industry: 'Maximum impact'
Researchers have found a way to improve crop yields by addressing photorespiration. This metabolic process, which occurs alongside photosynthesis, can reduce crop productivity by up to 36%. Researchers from the University of Groningen and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf are developing novel disruptive technologies that could help overcome the issue as part of the GAIN4CROPS project. According to INSociety, inefficiencies in photorespiration cost the agriculture industry billions of dollars in productivity losses each year. "Our work shows that overcoming photorespiration through engineered pathways can provide a dual benefit: increasing carbon fixation while reducing energy losses," said professor Matthias Heinemann from the University of Groningen. "This has significant implications for the development of crops that are not only more productive but also better adapted to the changing climate and growing global food demands," Heinemann continued. In the study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers used several mathematical models to look at 12 pathways to improve photorespiration. They categorized the pathways based on their ability to fix carbon, which converts inorganic carbon dioxide into organic compounds such as sugar. Their findings revealed that carbon-fixing alternative pathways were most promising, boosting carbon export — the loss of carbon in an agricultural system — by around 20%. Another pathway called TaCo showed potential to improve yields. Environmental factors, including light intensity and carbon dioxide availability, impacted the effectiveness of these pathways. The findings will help researchers genetically engineer crops with reduced photorespiration losses. They plan to further optimize the pathways and apply them to crops with the highest potential for enhanced yields. These advancements will play a critical role in bolstering food security and adaptations to the changing climate. "With the ability to more rationally engineer alternative photorespiratory pathways into suitable crops and identify their optimal growing conditions, our work will hopefully contribute to realizing the maximum impact of alternative photorespiratory pathways for improving crop yields," said professor Andreas Weber, coordinator of the GAIN4CROPS project. Since agriculture is a significant contributor to global pollution, accounting for around 21% to 30% of heat-trapping gas emissions, having a more efficient system that can improve yields will reduce the impact on the environment. This will also benefit humans by improving air quality and providing more food for a growing population. What's the biggest factor stopping you from investing in solar panels? The cost The technology I'm a renter I'm already invested Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
