Enabling the design of hybrid glasses

A new method of manufacturing glass could lead to the production of “designer glasses” with applications in advanced photonics, whilst also facilitating industrial scale carbon capture and storage. An international team of researchers, writing in Nature Communications, report how they have managed to use a relatively new family of sponge-like porous materials to develop new hybrid glasses.

The work revolves around a family of compounds called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are cage-like structures consisting of metal ions, linked by organic bonds. Their porous properties have led to proposed application in carbon capture, hydrogen storage and toxic gas separations, due to their ability to selectively adsorb and store pre-selected target molecules, much like a building a sieve which discriminates not only on size, but also chemical identity.

Hookah and E-Cigs Viewed as Safe by the Young

With the taste of tobacco masked by flavors, such as green apple and bubble gum, hookah may make it easy to forget the harsh effects of tobacco on the body. Similarly, some chemicals used to flavor e-cigarettes, while considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to their use in foods, are known respiratory irritants, and have led some to think danger lies in inhalation rather than digestion.

In a study focusing on young adults’ perceptions of various forms of tobacco products relative to traditional cigarettes, researchers found young adults under 25 are more likely to rate hookah and e-cigarettes as safer.

This is concerning as it suggests even a substantial portion of nonsmokers may view hookah as a relatively safer and acceptable way to use tobacco, according to the researchers.

Exploring Sperm Whale Culture

Varying between 49 and 59 ft in size, sperm whales are capable of diving to depths of 3,280 ft, and holding their breath for a maximum 90 mins. These marine behemoths are creatures of legend, made famous by “Moby Dick,” and their storied rivalry with giant squids.    

Now, a PhD candidate in biology from Dalhousie Univ. has delved into vocalized clicks from two neighboring clans of sperm whales in order to understand how whales form distinct cultures among large populations.

The study was published in Nature Communications.

“Culture in animal societies is a highly debated topic,” said Mauricio Cantor. “Some experts think it’s clear enough, while others don’t think the word ‘culture’ should be used describing anything but humans.”

Kangaroo Cartilage May Help Humans with Arthritis

In the U.S., one in five adults are diagnosed with arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By 2030, 67 million Americans over the age of 18 will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the CDC.

Osteoarthritis, which mainly affects cartilage at the end of bones, is the most common form. In 2005, an estimated 27 million adults suffered from the disorder. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, osteoarthritis is characterized by cartilage breakdown, which allows once-separated bones to rub against one another.

Joint replacement is an option for those with severely damaged cartilage. According to Sutter Health, serious complications from such surgery arise in less than 2% of patients. But replacement joints decay with time, and last between 10 and 15 years.

Researchers from the Australia’s Queensland Univ. of Technology are studying kangaroo cartilage in hopes of developing superior artificial joint implants.