Ecology

Rechargeable magnesium batteries: what they are, how they work and what they are used for

Rechargeable magnesium batteries: what they are, how they work and what they are used for

In recent years, scientific research has been exploring an alternative path to lithium batteries: lithium batteries rechargeable magnesium batteries. Magnesium is an element abundant on Earth, economical and above all stable. In theory, magnesium ions can transport two electrons instead of oneoffering a potentially higher energy capacity. On the other hand, however electrolytes suitable for magnesium are still difficult to ...

Why fingers can change color in the cold: what science says about Raynaud's phenomenon

Why fingers can change color in the cold: what science says about Raynaud’s phenomenon

Scientific studies, such as those appearing on Vascular Specialistand bodies such as the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), define the Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition characterized by a excessive response of the blood vessels of the fingers to stimuli such as cold or emotional stress. In these situations, the vessel wall contracts temporarily reducing the blood supply to the extremities ...

What were the "dollars of the Middle Ages" and why did they also circulate in Italy

What were the “dollars of the Middle Ages” and why did they also circulate in Italy

With “medieval dollars” we refer to a particular type of gold coins that during the medieval periodfrom the fall of the Roman Empire to the threshold of the modern age, were at the center of mercantile and maritime traffic, outside and inside Europe, from East to West. These coins were authentic instruments of trust and power. For this reason their ...

Why does salt cause water to come out of vegetables? It's osmosis' fault

Why does salt cause water to come out of vegetables? It’s osmosis’ fault

When we add a good amount of salt on the external surface of raw vegetables like cucumbers, aubergines or salad, after a short time we see water appear. It almost seems like the vegetables “sweat”, just like we do when we run. It’s not our sensation: the water is really leaving the plant cells of the vegetable. What we notice ...

How many submarines does Italy have: from the “Delfino” submarine to today's Navy fleet

How many submarines does Italy have: from the “Delfino” submarine to today’s Navy fleet

There Italian Navy currently has 8 submarines in service: the national fleet is made up of 4 units of the “Sauro class” and 4 of the “Todaro class”. However, “underwater boats” have always been “submarines” before and “submarines” then they captured the imagination of the general public and, at the same time, thanks also to the results obtained during several ...

The era of the athlete connected with wearables: what they are and what they are for

The era of the athlete connected with wearables: what they are and what they are for

Generated with AI Today sport is experiencing a silent revolution dictated by continuous technological evolution. The laboratory goes from being a physical place to a “second skin” to wear. The Polytechnic of Milan is at the center of projects that drive this transition and at the event Winter Sports Techthe professor Giuseppe Andreoni – Teacher of Industrial design studio for ...

What does “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” mean and who invented the Mary Poppins song

What does “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” mean and who invented the Mary Poppins song

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” (in English Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious) is a made-up word of 33 lettersfamous for being the protagonist of the most iconic song – written by the Sherman brothers – of the film 1964 Disney Mary Poppins. The term, apparently meaningless, is actually synonymous with something wonderful, surprising, extraordinary – just like the magical world created by Walt Disney. The word can be ...

The trick of making objects hang on the wall with friction really works - here's why

The trick of making objects hang on the wall with friction really works – here’s why

You know those videos that every now and then go viral on social media and show a trick in which someone rubs some objects (pens, remote controls, pencils) with decision and speed and these, in an apparently magical way, they remain attached to the wall overcoming the force of gravity? Well, unlike many things that go around on social media, ...

The deepest emission of gas hydrates on the planet discovered in the Greenland Sea: why it is important

The deepest emission of gas hydrates on the planet discovered in the Greenland Sea: why it is important

During the recent international research expedition Ocean Census Arctic Deep – EXTREME24were discovered on Molloy Ridgean underwater ridge in the Greenland Sea, the deepest gas hydrate emissions (mainly methane) known so far. They originate around 3640 m depths below sea level and are associated with conical deposits known as Freya Hydrate Mounds. The discovery published on Nature Communications is very ...