Kirigami-inspired robotic grippers combine strength & a delicate touch

Using a novel design inspired by the Japanese art of paper cutting, researchers have developed gentle yet strong robotic grippers that can fold clothes, grasp a drop of water and ultrathin microfibers, lift 16,000 times their own weight, and turn the pages of a book. The device has a wide range of potential applications, from prosthetics to minimally invasive surgery and deep-sea exploration.

NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle Continues Progress Toward Mars Sample Return

NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) recently reached some major milestones in support of the Mars Sample Return program. This video shows recent tests of the first and second stage solid rocket motors needed for the launch.

Mars Sample Return will bring scientifically selected samples to Earth for study using the most sophisticated instrumentation around the world. This strategic partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) features the first mission to return samples from another planet.

The two-stage MAV rocket is an important part of the joint plan between NASA and ESA to bring scientifically selected Martian samples to Earth in the early 2030s.

Credit: NASA/Jonathan Deal and Joe Kuner

@science

Remembering August 9, 1945: The US Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki

Today marks the anniversary of a momentous and somber event in world history. On this day in 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki, Japan, just three days after the bombing of Hiroshima. These bombings brought about the end of World War II, but they also resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and left lasting scars on the survivors and the cities themselves.

As we reflect on this day, it's essential to remember the human cost of war and the profound impact of nuclear weapons. The survivors, known as Hibakusha, have shared their harrowing stories with the world, reminding us of the devastating effects of nuclear warfare and the importance of working towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of global conflict and the responsibility we all share in promoting peace and understanding. Today, as we commemorate this tragic event, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of a more peaceful, just, and interconnected world.

We honor the memory of those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with the survivors and their descendants. May their stories inspire us to work towards a future where such atrocities are never repeated.

🌌 Attention stargazers!
The Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's most breathtaking celestial events, is peaking this weekend. Favorable conditions promise a mesmerizing display.

Tune in on Sunday night, August 13, and let the cosmos enchant you. For those unable to witness it firsthand, catch the livestream by the Virtual Telescope Project. Clear skies and happy viewing! 🌠

For the first time in nearly half a century, Russia has launched a spacecraft that is headed to the moon.

On Friday morning at a spaceport in the far eastern part of Russia, a rocket lifted Luna-25, a robotic lander of moderate size, to Earth orbit. It will try to land in the moon’s south polar region, where the presence of water ice has attracted the attention of numerous space programs, and make a year’s worth of scientific observations.

🌕 Luna-25's Russian Historic Mission to the Moon's South Pole! 🌕

For the first time in the annals of space exploration, the Luna-25 station is set to make a groundbreaking landing near the Moon's South Pole. This isn't just another lunar landing; it's a mission that stands apart from the rest. Why? Because unlike previous missions that targeted the lunar equator or middle latitudes, Luna-25 aims for one of the poles!

🔍 Why the South Pole? 🔍

Craters of Eternal Darkness: These mysterious regions could potentially house free ice. Easy extraction of this ice means easy access to water - a vital resource for both humans and spacecraft.

Peaks of Eternal Light: These areas, which remain illuminated even when night falls on the Moon, are perfect spots to set up energy sources.

The stakes are high, and the rewards? They could be as monumental as the very concept of human space flight itself! Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a successful mission. 🚀🌌

@science

If suddenly you have not yet heard how a baby seal "talks", then make the sound louder!

@science

Rambo, the orangutan, rides an electric golf cart on private property.


The smartest female orangutan living in a menagerie in Dubai has become an internet star.

Videos are flying around the net showing a rare level of his intelligence - riding a car, playing the ukulele, performing tricks on a skateboard, painting pictures and even fishing.

Here it is - a visual confirmation of Darwin's theory.


@science

SHURUI Robotics is a high-tech enterprise that focuses on developing and commercializing of surgical robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery.

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🌍 Global Exploration with @Science Team! 🌍

This year, our @science team has truly gone global! We've journeyed to:

Brazil 🇧🇷
Colombia 🇨🇴
USA 🇺🇸
Various European countries 🇪🇺
Russia 🇷🇺
Mongolia 🇲🇳
Thailand 🇹🇭
Vietnam 🇻🇳
Indonesia 🇮🇩
Philippines 🇵🇭 (Yes, we loved it so much we visited twice!)
UAE 🇦🇪
Singapore 🇸🇬

However, our global adventures came with a unique challenge. We discovered that certain websites in the US aren't accessible from Thailand, some Philippine sites can't be accessed from Russia, and several Singaporean websites are blocked in the US. The internet, due to geopolitical reasons, is becoming increasingly fragmented.

But here's the good news! 🌟

We've been using Strong VPN for over a year to navigate these challenges. It's a trusted solution that ensures we stay connected, no matter where our research takes us. If you're facing similar issues, we highly recommend giving Strong VPN a try!

Stay connected. Stay global with @science 🌐

Congratulations!!!!

🍾
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/23/world/chandrayaan-3-lunar-landing-attempt-scn/index.html

Robops, waiters and mechanical people: the 8th World Robot Conference ended in China

There were hospitable bots serving food and drinks, robotic dogs and other humanoids there. But the audience award still went to robots with synthetic skin, similar to real people.

The Chinese are again ten steps ahead of the rest

@gadget

During the eruption of the Acatenango volcano, numerous lightning bolts were observed emanating from it. The spectacle was truly breathtaking! 😯

This phenomenon is known as a 'dirty thunderstorm.' Electrical discharges are generated within the ash cloud that ascends from the volcano's vent, resulting from the collision of ash particles with gases.

Share this fascinating information with someone you know.

@science

The moon turned out to be hotter than previously thought, the Indian lunar rover Pragyan found out

The first data that the Indian lunar rover “Pragyan” transmitted to Earth testify to the unexpectedly high temperature of the lunar surface at the south pole of the moon, which was a complete surprise for specialists. We all thought that the surface temperature could be 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, but it is 70 degrees Celsius.

It turns out that coffee grounds are a valuable organic resource.

Researchers from the Melbourne University of Technology carried out a fascinating study.
They dried the coffee grounds and subjected them to pyrolysis at 350 degrees.
When the resulting biochar was incorporated into concrete, its strength improved by nearly 30%.
This approach has the potential to decrease sand extraction and help cafes eliminate excess waste.

India has successfully launched its first space-based solar observatory mission — just 10 days after the landing of its spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar south pole. Called Aditya-L1, the spacecraft, weighing over 3,264 pounds, blasted off from the spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre in South India’s Sriharikota using the 44.4-meter tall polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-XL) at the targeted time of 11:50am local time on Saturday. It will cover a distance of 932,000 miles and spend 125 days (or over four months) to reach its destination: a halo orbit around one of five Lagrangian points, which lie between the sun and Earth and allows spacecraft to track solar activities continuously, without any occultation and eclipse.

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