(Florida Atlantic University) Because COVID-19 has been detected in urine and stool samples, public restrooms can be cause for concern. Researchers measured droplets generated from flushing a toilet and a urinal in a public restroom and found a substantial increase in the measured aerosol levels in the ambient environment with the total number of droplets generated in each flushing test ranging up to the tens of thousands. Due to their small size, these droplets can remain suspended for a long time.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/fau-fap041921.php

(National Research Council of Science & Technology) A team of Korean and British researchers have successfully performed a demonstration test of AR services on the subway by using the mobile backhaul communication technology that they have jointly developed. The test shows that people will soon be able to enjoy a wide range of high quality multimedia services including high-definition video streaming in a mobile environment such as buses and subway.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/nrco-est041921.php

(DOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory) A new machine-learning program accurately identifies COVID-19-related conspiracy theories on social media and models how they evolved over time–a tool that could someday help public health officials combat misinformation online.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/danl-na041921.php

(Princeton University) A new paper in the journal Science co-authored by Princeton University engineering professor Nathalie de Leon, IBM Quantum scientist Hanhee Paik and researchers from around the world argues that the ability to move forward on developing useful quantum computers requires new major advances in materials science, engineering and fabrication. The authors call for new approaches from broad areas of science and engineering.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/pu-maa041921.php

(SPIE–International Society for Optics and Photonics) Tools for optical imaging of brain activity in freely moving animals have considerable potential for expanding the scientific understanding of the brain. However, existing technologies for imaging brain activity with light have challenges. An international team of scientists has now developed an implantable probe for light-sheet imaging of the brain.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/ssfo-tit041921.php

(University of Maryland) Nanochannels have important applications in biomedicine, sensing, and many other fields. Though engineers have been fabricating these tiny, tube-like structures for years, much remains unknown about their properties and behavior. Now, University of Maryland engineers have published surprising new findings in the journal ACS Nano.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/uom-sia041921.php

Someday, scientists believe, tiny DNA-based robots and other nanodevices will deliver medicine inside our bodies, detect the presence of deadly pathogens, and help manufacture increasingly smaller electronics. Researchers took a big step toward that future by developing a new tool that can design much more complex DNA robots and nanodevices than were ever possible before in a fraction of the time.

Original source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210419135731.htm

(Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie) A team at HZB, together with partners from Ben Gurion University and the Technion, Israel, has now analysed the optoelectronic properties of rust (haematite) and other metal oxides in unprecedented detail. Their results show that the maximum achievable efficiency of haematite electrodes is significantly lower than previously assumed. The study demonstrates ways to assess new photoelectrode materials more realistically.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/hbfm-gh041921.php

(University of California – San Diego) Airbnb hosts in college towns increase their listing prices much more than hotels when there are home football games against rival teams. Hosts experience a 78 percent reduction in rental income by listing prices too high, according to a new study by the University of California San Diego.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/uoc–ahi041921.php

(University of Washington) University of Washington researchers worked with almost 260 people to understand online disagreements and to develop potential design interventions that could make these discussions more productive and centered around relationship-building.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/uow-urs041821.php