River deltas, leaf veins, lightning... in transport networks, simple laws of physics can surprisingly lead to cooperation between previously competing parts of the system, increasing its efficiency, shows research published in PNAS by Polish scientists.
Scientists from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology are completing work on a prototype bionic hand prosthesis for people with forearm amputations. The device is controlled with signals sent by muscles on the stump of the amputated limb, and artificial intelligence is used to analyse them.
Scientists from the Wrocław University of Technology and the University of Wrocław used technical computed tomography to re-examine a harpoon made of roe antlers and a bear bone from thousands of years ago. Thanks to new techniques, we can learn more even about very old discoveries, says Dr. Tomasz Płonka from the University of Wrocław.
The results of new research challenge the common view that the steppe bison was a strictly grazing animal, feeding mainly in the steppes, say scientists from the Mammal Research Institute PAS, who reconstructed the diet of the last representatives of the legendary megafauna.
Butterflies are associated with fragility, but they can fly several thousand kilometres using air currents, among other things. Their migrations are still poorly known, however, and they cannot be tracked as easily as birds, using rings or GPS transmitters, says botanist and ecologist Dr. Tomasz Suchan.
Type Ic supernovae carry within them a dramatic story of a relationship between a pair of stars. An international team of scientists led by Polish researchers has proven that for this type of cosmic explosion to occur, a not-so-peaceful - by human relationship standards - binary star system is needed.
In recent months, the Polish space sector has recorded spectacular successes, including the successful test of the Bursztyn rocket and the launch of the EagleEye satellite, believes Łukasz Wilczyński, president of the European Space Foundation. He adds that the challenge for Poland now is to determine the main directions of development of this sector.
Biologists from the University of Lodz are investigating whether plants can be used to remove 'forever chemicals' from the soil. These are non-biodegradable chemical compounds known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that pose a serious threat to the environment and human health.
Scientists from Poland and Italy have identified the structure of the protein responsible for sensing cold. This protein plays a role in soothing pain, among other things, which is why in the future their findings may contribute to the development of new medical therapies for neuropathic pain and irritable bowel syndrome.
The legless lizard Pseudopus pannonicus, which lived in Poland between 15 and 2 million years ago, could have been over 2 m long.
River deltas, leaf veins, lightning... in transport networks, simple laws of physics can surprisingly lead to cooperation between previously competing parts of the system, increasing its efficiency, shows research published in PNAS by Polish scientists.
