Latest news with #UniversityofRochester
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
What? There's a Bermuda Triangle in space too and it is expanding day by day
The Bermuda Triangle has been one among the most intriguing mysteries on the earth that remain unsolved till date. This unravelled phenomenon has been centered around the tales of vanishing ships, lost aircraft, and unexplained disappearances. Despite scientific explanations dismissing these as results of natural forces and human error, the lore persists. Interestingly, a similar phenomenon exists above our planet also, not one of vanishing vessels, but of real danger to satellites and astronauts. Called as the 'Bermuda Triangle of space,' the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a vast region above the Earth stretching from Chile to Zimbabwe where the planet's magnetic field is unusually weak. While spacecraft don't disappear into thin air here, the risk is still high. Satellites that travel through this region experience increased radiation exposure, potentially leading to malfunctions, system failures, and even complete breakdowns. As space research is advancing day by day, understanding this anomaly has become increasingly important. The SAA poses a real hazard to the growing fleet of satellites and manned missions circling our planet. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo Scientists and engineers are constantly monitoring it, looking for ways to mitigate its effects. What is the South Atlantic Anomaly? The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) exists where the inner Van Allen radiation belt dips closest to Earth. This proximity results in an area of intensified radiation, and makes spacecraft vulnerable to charged particles from the Sun. Being different from the other areas where Earth's magnetic field deflects these particles, the SAA allows them to come dangerously close as little as 200 km from the surface. This increased exposure causes serious disruptions. According to John Tarduno, a geophysics professor at the University of Rochester, "The lower geomagnetic field intensity eventually results in a greater vulnerability of satellites to energetic particles, to the point that spacecraft damage could occur as they traverse the area", as reported by All About Space. Satellites passing through the SAA are often put into safe mode to protect sensitive equipment. The Hubble Space Telescope, for instance, crosses the anomaly about 10 times daily and is unable to collect data during these periods, which makes to nearly 15% of its operational time. What is the reason behind this anomaly? The anomaly's origin lies deep within the Earth. A reversed flux patch under Africa is weakening the magnetic field in this region. 'Under Africa, at the core-mantle boundary... the field is reversed,' Tarduno explained. 'It is this patch that seems to be causing most of the weak field and the SAA.' The anomaly is slowly drifting westward and splitting in two. NASA's missions, such as the Ionospheric Connection Explorer, monitor these changes to better predict and protect future missions. As space technology becomes more advanced and dependent on electronics, the SAA presents an ever-growing risk. Incidents like the $273 million failure of Japan's Hitomi satellite highlight how devastating the consequences can be when a spacecraft encounters this zone unprepared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
UR researchers find similarities between the surfaces of Earth and Mars
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Researchers at the University of Rochester say some Martian soil looks like it's been shaped like we see on Earth's coldest climates — think the arctic. But there are a lot of things to ponder. 'That is a little bit where my research is heading towards, is trying to see is climate involved in these formations, or is it just a phenomenon that's occurring and we just see it in these certain locations on earth,' said JohnPaul Sleiman, a PhD Student at the University of Rochester. Sleiman is one of the researchers on the project, along with Assistant Professor of environmental science Rachel Glade. They looked at satellite images of nine craters on Mars and compared them to the arctic and mountain regions here on our home planet. 'In the winter, when soil freezes, it sort of poofs up perpendicular to the slope,' said Glade. 'We actually see this in Rochester. If you go out in the winter, sometimes the soil heaves… So, it's a common process in cold places in the winter, and then in the summer when it thaws, the soil sort of settles, and this can cause downhill motion of the soil.' Researchers are likening this wave-like pattern to paint dripping down a wall. The impact is one to three centimeters per year. 'So, it's very slow, not something that's easy for humans to observe, but added up over many, many years, it can result in the formation of these patterns,' said Glade. These researchers say that what they can discover without actually leaving the planet and using their tools on Mars' surface is awesome. 'Studying these similar features is interesting because we, one, learn how it's working on Earth, we learn about how it's working on another planet,' said Sleiman, 'and that tells us both about both systems.' Ultimately, the study is raising big questions about Mars' past — and potentially its habitability. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Emirates 24/7
7 days ago
- Science
- Emirates 24/7
Organic Molecule Breakthrough Could Replace Silicon in Next-Gen Chips
A team of scientists at the University of Miami, working in collaboration with professors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester, has developed a groundbreaking organic molecule that could revolutionize the semiconductor and chip-making industries. The newly engineered compound has the potential to replace silicon—traditionally sourced from sand—and metals, which currently form the backbone of modern computer chip manufacturing. According to a statement released by the university, the researchers have unveiled what they believe to be "the most electrically conductive organic molecule ever discovered." The findings open the door to building smaller, more powerful computing devices using naturally abundant elements such as carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen. For the past five decades, the number of transistors on a single chip has roughly doubled every two years, in line with Moore's Law. However, as silicon-based electronics approach their physical limits, further miniaturization using conventional methods has become increasingly difficult. That challenge spurred the research led by physicist Kun Wang and his team at the University of Miami, who focused on utilizing ultra-small molecular structures to conduct electricity efficiently. 'To date, no molecular material has allowed electrons to pass through it without a significant loss in conductivity,' Wang said. 'Our work is the first to demonstrate that organic molecules can support electron transport across several tens of nanometers with virtually no energy loss.' Wang added that the molecules developed by the team are stable under ambient conditions and exhibit the highest known electrical conductance over molecular lengths previously deemed impractical. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of classical computing devices that are not only smaller and more energy-efficient but also cheaper to produce. Unlike conventional molecules, whose conductivity typically decreases with size, these new 'molecular wires' defy that trend. They serve as crucial pathways for transferring, processing, and storing information in the next generation of electronic devices. 'What makes our molecular system unique is that electrons travel across it like a bullet—without any energy loss—making it theoretically the most efficient form of electron transport known in any material,' Wang explained. 'Beyond shrinking device size, this structure also allows for functionalities that were not possible with silicon-based components.' **Chemically Robust and Air-Stable** Mehrdad Shiri, a graduate researcher and member of the team, described the development as a major leap toward real-world application. 'This molecule is chemically robust and air-stable, which means it can be integrated with existing nanoelectronic components on a chip, functioning as electronic wires or interconnects between circuits,' he said. Another major advantage is cost: the molecule can be synthesized in a laboratory using inexpensive materials, making it a highly scalable and affordable solution. Its unique properties could enable a new class of computing devices that are more powerful and energy-efficient without raising manufacturing costs. Wang concluded that the molecule's ultra-high conductivity stems from a unique interaction between electron spins at both ends of the molecule. He added, 'In the future, this molecular system could even be used as a qubit—the fundamental unit of quantum computing.' Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UR proposes settlement in class action lawsuit over health info
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The University of Rochester is proposing a settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding its website and MyChart. The university's settlement administrator sent an email out saying anyone who used URMC's MyChart Patient Portal between January 11, 2021 through January 11, 2023 may submit a claim. This also applies to those who filled out a form on URMC's website between January 2018 through June 12, 2023. According to the URMC Settlement website, the settlement is still pending approval. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs used the university's website to make appointments with and speak with healthcare providers. It was alleged that UR used two web tracking products, one of which is connected to Facebook, to transmit their personally identifiable information and private health information to Facebook. The lawsuit says that UR filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. The motion was partially granted, but the court ruled that it was plausible for UR to have allegedly violated the Wiretap Act. UR-class-action-lawsuitDownload URMC states that they deny all of the claims and contentions, especially denying that they used tracking technology in the patient portal or medical system. They added that they settled to avoid the risk of continuing the litigation. Those who wish to file a claim, opt out of, or object to the settlement may do so by clicking here. The deadline to do these is July 21, 2025. News 8 has reached out to the University of Rochester for comment. They said they will release a statement shortly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
THIS common ingredient found in foods and supplements is linked to Blood Cancer
A concerning study reveals that taurine, a common amino acid found in food and supplements, may fuel the growth of leukemia cells. Researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute discovered that leukemia cells readily absorb taurine, promoting glycolysis and cancer progression. Global cancer cases are predicted to rise by 35 million in 2050, which is a 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Amid this alarming projection, new research has revealed an unsuspected driver behind one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The study found that an amino acid, found commonly in the food we eat, and supplements we take, could cause leukemia , one of the most aggressive forms of blood cancer . A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute has found that taurine, which is made naturally in the body and consumed through some foods, is a key regulator of myeloid cancers such as leukemia. The study is published in the journal Nature. In the preclinical research, the scientists were able to block the growth of leukemia in mouse models and in human leukemia cell samples by using genetic tools to prevent taurine from entering cancer cells. 'We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases,' Jeevisha Bajaj, PhD, lead researcher and an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and a member of Wilmot's Cancer Microenvironment research program said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo King Charles' Cancer Secret REVEALED | Royal Whisper EXPOSES Private Health Bombshell | WATCH They also found that leukemia cells drink up taurine, which promotes glycolysis (a breakdown of glucose to produce energy) to feed cancer growth. Previous researchers have never looked at the cancer-promoting role of taurine. Leukemia has several subtypes, and the survival rates vary. This study found that taurine transporter expression is essential for the growth of multiple subtypes, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which all originate from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in the bone marrow and also in the brain, heart, and muscles. Foods such as meats, fish, and eggs also contain taurine. It is also a key ingredient in some energy drinks and protein powders, and has been used by cancer patients anecdotally. 'Dr. Bajaj's work shows that local levels of taurine in bone marrow may enhance leukemia growth, suggesting caution in use of high-dose taurine supplementation,' Jane Liesveld, MD, a Wilmot oncologist who treats leukemia patients, said. She also noted that scientists still have a lot to learn about how leukemia cells are reprogrammed and draw energy to thrive and resist treatments. 'Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, and we are at the very beginning of understanding metabolic effects on leukemia cells. The prior focus has been on genetic changes, but the focus is expanding to understanding how leukemia cells are able to hijack various metabolic pathways for their own survival,' she added. In conclusion, the Wilmot team states in its Nature paper: 'Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients.' The researcher noted that future studies are required to investigate levels of taurine in people with leukemia. 'Our current data suggest that it would be helpful to develop stable and effective ways to block taurine from entering leukemia cells,' she said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
