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Soft robots are becoming one of the most exciting technologies of the future. Unlike traditional robots made from rigid metal parts, soft robots are flexible, lightweight, and can safely interact with people and delicate objects. They have the potential to transform industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, disaster response, and even space exploration. However, one major challenge has remained unsolved: how can soft robots change their shape easily, precisely, and efficiently without becoming stiff or difficult to control? Now, researchers led by Wu and team have introduced an innovative solution inspired by one of mathematics' most fascinating shapes—the Möbius strip . Their invention , called the Pneumatic Torsion Strip (PTS) , offers a completely new way for soft robots to bend, curl, and transform their shape. Using this technology, the researchers even created a meter-scale transformable carpet weighing about 2 kilograms that curls like the tendrils of climb...

For decades, astronomers have known about IC 1101 , a gigantic galaxy located at the center of a distant galaxy cluster. It has long been considered one of the biggest galaxies ever discovered. However, scientists faced one major challenge—they could not accurately determine where the galaxy actually ended. Now, thanks to the deepest images ever captured of IC 1101, astronomers have finally identified its true outer boundary. Their findings confirm that IC 1101 is the largest known galaxy in the universe , stretching an incredible 1.7 million light-years across . The discovery also reveals that the galaxy contains around 3.4 trillion times the mass of our Sun in stars alone , making it one of the most massive stellar systems ever observed. Even more exciting, researchers found signs that this cosmic giant is still growing today , continuing to absorb smaller galaxies after billions of years. The study, published as a preprint on the arXiv server on July 16, provides one of the cleares...

As the world's population continues to grow and people live longer than ever before, scientists and the food industry are facing a major challenge: how to create food that is not only healthy and nutritious but also easy and enjoyable to eat. This challenge is especially important for older adults, many of whom experience difficulty chewing and swallowing because of ageing-related changes in the mouth. Now, researchers led by Alejandro Avila-Sierra have developed an innovative solution—a highly realistic 3D biomimetic artificial mouth equipped with a lifelike artificial tongue. This advanced device closely mimics the way the human mouth processes food, allowing scientists to study how different foods behave before they are swallowed. The new technology could revolutionize food development by helping researchers design meals that are easier to chew, safer to swallow, and more enjoyable to eat, particularly for elderly people and individuals with swallowing disorders. Why Food Need...

Imagine wearing a piece of clothing that quietly boosts your strength, helps you lift heavy objects with less effort, and feels as comfortable as your everyday outfit. What once sounded like science fiction is becoming reality. Researchers Park & Park have developed a lightweight suit-type wearable robot (STWR) that can assist human muscles while being soft, flexible, and easy to wear. Unlike traditional robotic exoskeletons that are often bulky, heavy, and expensive, this new wearable robot is designed to feel more like normal clothing. It weighs less than one kilogram and has the potential to help workers, older adults, and people with physical disabilities perform everyday tasks with greater ease. A New Generation of Wearable Robots Wearable robots have been attracting attention for years because they can increase human strength and reduce physical strain. Most existing systems, however, rely on heavy metal frames, large motors, and complex mechanical parts. These designs often ...

When Interstellar was released in 2014, audiences were amazed by the stunning image of the giant black hole called Gargantua . Unlike the fictional black holes shown in many science fiction films, Gargantua was based on real physics. It looked so realistic because filmmakers worked closely with world-famous physicist Kip Thorne and a team of visual effects artists at Double Negative Visual Effects (now DNEG). Instead of creating the black hole using artistic imagination alone, the team built a special computer program that calculated exactly how light behaves around a spinning black hole. Their work not only produced breathtaking visuals for the movie but also contributed to scientific research. A Black Hole Like No Other A black hole is one of the most mysterious objects in the universe. Its gravity is so powerful that even light cannot escape once it crosses a boundary known as the event horizon. Because black holes bend space and time, they also bend the path of light traveling n...

The center of our Milky Way galaxy is one of the most mysterious places in the universe. Hidden there is a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A * (Sgr A*). It is about 4.3 million times heavier than our Sun and has an incredibly strong gravitational pull. Around this black hole, a group of stars called S-stars travel at extremely high speeds. Scientists have been studying these stars for many years because they help us understand how gravity works near a black hole. Now, a new study suggests that these stars move in a different way than scientists previously believed. The discovery could improve our understanding of black holes, help future space missions detect more gravitational waves, and even reveal clues about the history of our galaxy. Why Are S-stars So Special? Most galaxies are too far away for scientists to see individual stars moving around their central black holes. But the Milky Way is different. Since it is our own galaxy, powerful telescopes can track the motio...

3D printing has changed the way people make products. Today, it is used to build everything from toys and tools to medical devices and machine parts. It is fast, affordable and allows people to create complex designs that are difficult to make using traditional manufacturing methods. The most common type of 3D printer is called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) . It works by melting a plastic filament and placing it layer by layer until a complete object is formed. These printers are popular because they are inexpensive and easy to use. Millions of people around the world use them at home, in schools, universities and industries. However, there is one big problem. Most FDM printers can print with only one material at a time. This means every part of the printed object has almost the same properties. For example, the whole object may be hard, flexible or one color. It is difficult to create an object that is partly soft, partly hard, electrically conductive or made with smooth color chang...