CategoryHumts

Why are avalanche photodiodes essential for optical communication?

In this blog post, we will learn about the principle and importance of avalanche photodiodes, which effectively amplify weak light signals in optical communications.   Optical communications use light, which allows information to be transmitted very quickly. However, as the length of the optical communication cable increases, the intensity of the light decreases, so the optical signal...

Why are piezoelectric materials attracting attention as a future energy technology?

In this blog post, we will look at how piezoelectric materials work and examples of their use in everyday life to understand why this technology is attracting attention as a future eco-friendly energy source.   Basic principles of piezoelectric materials In the photo below, a gentle breeze is blowing. The grass in the meadow is swaying in the breeze, and among the grass, a unique tree is...

Why has Alzheimer’s disease not yet been cured?

In this blog post, we will examine the role of β-amyloid, which is believed to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and the current state of neuroscientific research to understand why a cure is so difficult to find.   What is neuroscience? Many people today do not know what neuroscience is. In a nutshell, neuroscience is the study of the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and...

How do African termites stay cool without air conditioning?

In this blog post, we introduce the principle of natural cooling utilising the unique ventilation structure of termite mounds and examples of energy-saving architecture that imitate this principle.   Mick Pearce, an environmental architect from Zimbabwe, built the East Gate Shopping Centre, a naturally air-conditioned building without air conditioners, in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe...

Is the Iron Man suit possible in reality?

In this blog post, we will look at how the Iron Man suit, which is a fictional creation in the movies, is connected to actual technological developments, as well as the current capabilities and limitations of the technology.   Humans cannot evolve their bodies any further through natural means, so we must combine with machines to evolve our bodies. -Stephen Hawking Nowadays, with advanced...

Was the Ice Bucket Challenge a genuine act of charity or just a fad?

In this blog post, we take a balanced look at the positive impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge, as well as its limitations and the controversy surrounding its authenticity.   Do you remember the Ice Bucket Challenge that went viral in the summer of 2014? The Ice Bucket Challenge was a relay donation campaign to raise awareness of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a rare disease, and to...

Why did Ananke transform from a goddess in mythology to a philosophical concept?

In this blog post, we will examine how Ananke, the goddess of fate in ancient Greek mythology, expanded into the concepts of mechanism and teleology in the development of philosophy.   In ancient Greek mythology, Ananke is a goddess who symbolises inevitable fate and necessity. At a time when the mythological imagination dominated the way people viewed the world, Ananke had the meaning of...

Are sinkholes natural disasters or man-made disasters?

In this blog post, we will analyse the causes of sinkholes from a geological perspective and examine whether they are natural disasters or man-made disasters.   One of the unfamiliar terms that has been appearing frequently in the news lately is ‘sinkhole.’ A sinkhole is a phenomenon in which the ground collapses due to a change in the state of the earth’s crust, weakening the force...

Are deep-sea sediments hidden climate records?

In this blog post, we will explore how deep-sea sediments can provide scientific clues about past marine environments and climate change.   Among the various sediments found on the deep seabed, those created by the skeletons and fragments of organisms are called biogenic sediments. The most common biogenic sediment on the deep seabed is ooze. It is mainly formed by the shells and skeletons...

How do newborns maintain their body temperature unlike adults?

In this blog post, we will explore the physiological mechanism by which newborns utilise brown adipose tissue to maintain their body temperature, as well as its medical potential.   When adults feel cold, they generate heat through actions such as shivering to maintain their body temperature. This is a natural response of the body. When the external temperature drops, the nervous system...