Researchers have developed a new way to rapidly detect and identify very low concentrations of gases. The new method, called coherent-controlled quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy, could be the basis for highly sensitive real-time sensors for applications such as environmental monitoring, breath analysis, and chemical process control. “Most gases are present in trace amounts, so detecting low…
German researchers led by Dr. Neetesh Singh and Professor Franz Keltner have developed a high-power tunable laser based on silicon photonics. In this work, they used a large-mode-area integrated waveguide amplifier (LMA) to achieve an output power of about 2 watts. The work was published in the journal Light: Science & Applications . An integrated large mode area…
Provera is a prescription medication that contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic progesterone. Progesterone is one of the hormones that control the menstrual cycle and ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries each month). It also helps prepare the lining of the uterus for pregnancy and sheds the lining each month (a process called…
A funny thing often happens among groups of friends who are all expecting their first child at roughly the same time. By your child’s first birthday, you may find that your friends are split into two groups: those who announce they’re expecting a second child, and those who wonder if it’s too early to have…
Menstruation can be a challenge and for many women, it comes with a lot of unpleasant symptoms, including abdominal pain due to bloating. This bloating and gas discomfort is not just unpleasant, it can also add to the overall discomfort you feel during your period. If you suffer from period pain, here are some effective…
Back in the day, and I mean back in the day, material design was a labor-intensive endeavor. Researchers have been trying to create gold for over 1,000 years by mixing lead, mercury, sulfur, and more in the right proportions. Even famous scientists like Tycho Brahe, Robert Boyle, and Isaac Newton tried their hand at a…
In a recently published study in Light: Science & Applications , a team of scientists led by Professor Lixin Guo from Xi’an shared their insights into the history and future of optical measurements using orbital angular momentum (OAM). The study delves into the fundamental concepts, applications, and key developments in the field. The concept of twisted light…
If you’ve been on birth control up until now but are now ready to get pregnant, you might have some questions. After all, you may have heard that it may take longer to get pregnant if you’re using hormonal contraception. The good news? That’s mostly a myth. To better understand getting pregnant after stopping birth…
You may be thinking, “I want kids.” But are you ready to have kids? You may have heard from friends with kids that you’re never completely ready to have kids, but there are steps you can take to be better prepared mentally, financially, and otherwise to embark on the life-changing journey of parenthood. We spoke with Jean Twenge, PhD,…
Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the female reproductive system, has become more widely recognized in recent years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this condition, in which tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterus, is estimated to affect 5-10% of women and adolescents of reproductive age (15-49 years) worldwide, affecting approximately…
