SCIENCE SUNDAY
The most interesting scientific discoveries and breakthroughs this week
An artist’s concept depicts a supermassive black hole in the process of shredding a massive star. Source: IPAC- Caltech
1. Astronomers spot black hole flare with power of 10 trillion suns: Scientists at Caltech have captured what may be the most powerful cosmic event ever recorded — a supermassive black hole violently consuming a star 30x larger than our sun. The record-shattering event was captured by astronomers from 10 billion light-years away and has continued for over seven years — a glimpse into how much we still have to learn about the universe’s most extreme phenomena.
2. Irish scientists crack ‘Holy Grail’ of forensics: Researchers at Maynooth University say they’ve developed an electrochemical method that recovers fingerprints from fired bullet casings — something experts had thought was impossible for decades. They used mild voltage and non-toxic polymers to make fingerprint ridges visible within seconds on casings up to 16 months old. This could potentially help investigators link ammunition directly to suspects rather than just matching casings to weapons.
3. Floating generator converts rainfall into electricity: Chinese scientists at Nanjing University have built a water-integrated droplet electricity generator (W-DEG) that floats on lakes or reservoirs and reportedly converts raindrops into power. Unlike conventional systems that use heavy metal electrodes, the device uses the water itself as both the supporting structure and the electrode, cutting weight by about 80% and costs by half. It could potentially support off-grid systems or complement solar and wind energy.
4. Scientists use fungus to create a clever new mosquito trap: Scientists claim to have genetically modified Metarhizium fungus to emit longifolene — a sweet-smelling compound that mosquitoes find irresistible. In lab tests, the fungus killed 90-100% of mosquitoes by luring them in and infecting them with deadly spores. If true, it offers a potential solution for communities battling mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, with the added advantage that mosquitoes are unlikely to develop resistance.
via Superhuman