Science and Technology News

Category: Features

  • Precision pollination project is a ‘step towards better food security’

    Precision pollination project is a ‘step towards better food security’

    A groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the role drone technology can play in improving yield, fruit quality and forecasting in UK strawberry production is a pivotal step towards enhancing food security.

    The project, Precision Pollination for Higher Strawberry Productivity and Quality, offers a strong consortium comprising the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Angus Soft Fruits and Polybee, with funding support from Innovate UK.

    This combines expert berry growers from the UK, agri-tech innovation and development specialists and a Singaporean partner with expertise in using innovative drone technology for pollination and crop imaging.

    Fresh Strawberries are a high value crop in the UK, worth £377m in 2022, over 30 percent of the total UK fruit value (Defra, 2023).

    Most commercial UK crops are grown under protection in structures such as polytunnels or glasshouses to provide optimal conditions for the plants to grow and fruit to develop. (more…)

  • norelem launches new series of friction joints

    norelem launches new series of friction joints

    Precision, flexibility and durability are critical in industrial sectors to optimise operations while maintaining safety and value. One component that remains constant is friction joints, which are valuable for connecting components in situations where traditional methods may not be practical.

    To address these evolving demands, global standard components manufacturer norelem, has launched a new series of friction joints (10271) designed to meet the unique requirements of various industries, providing essential benefits that cater to a wide range of customers.

    Marcus Schneck, CEO of norelem, said: “One of the key benefits of our friction joints for customers is their ability to deliver precise and adjustable resistance to motion.

    (more…)

  • Evonik develops new model of skin microbiome

    Evonik develops new model of skin microbiome

    Evonik has developed a new model of the skin microbiome. For the first time, this model allows a scientifically substantiated evaluation of the influence of cosmetic ingredients and products on skin microbiota in laboratory tests.

    The company is currently testing cosmetic ingredients from its own product portfolio to obtain evidence-based information on their microbiome-friendliness. Cosmetic producers and consumers are increasingly interested in scientific evidence of the efficacy of cosmetics. In addition, the data will give Evonik a basis for developing even better cosmetic ingredients.

    The skin microbiome – comprising all bacteria, fungi, and viruses found in the skin – varies from one person to another. It is exposed to many internal and external influences, from diet to sunlight. The occurrence of specific strains of bacteria is characteristic of certain skin zones, which can be described as sebaceous, moist or dry. (more…)

  • Apple to scrap sim cards in future, expert suggests

    Apple to scrap sim cards in future, expert suggests

    With the release of the new iPhone 16, which is now the 3rd consecutive iPhone to be eSIM-only in the US, eSIM expert and COO at Nomad eSIM, Eric Morhenn shares some insights about the future of SIM cards

    Apple’s decision to produce and sell only eSIM-compatible iPhones for the US market is another step towards a wider global strategy. Their vision is to move away from physical SIM cards completely within the next few product cycles.

    We can expect Apple to make the same move – starting as early as the iPhone 17 or 18 – in international markets like Europe, Japan, and Singapore, where the digital infrastructure is strong. Alongside Apple, it is likely that one of the major Android providers, such as Samsung, will follow a similar trajectory and also transition to eSIM-only in the near future. (more…)

  • The Coca-Cola system in Africa unveils water stewardship initiative

    The Coca-Cola system in Africa unveils water stewardship initiative

    The effort, called “The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative”, was introduced in Cape Town, South Africa, in presence of executives from the Coca-Cola system in Africa and NGO partners.

    During the event, Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit indicated “Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottling partners because it is essential to life, the communities we serve and our beverages.

    As we face increasing water insecurity worldwide, with demand outstripping supply in many regions such as Africa, Coca-Cola is taking steps to help accelerate efforts to address water stress, protect local water resources, and build community climate resilience. Our 2030 Water Security Strategy focuses on helping enhance water security where we operate, source ingredients, and touch lives.” (more…)

  • Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust appoints new board to safeguard role and to accelerate future strategy

    Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust appoints new board to safeguard role and to accelerate future strategy

    Stuart Dyble, who has served as a trustee of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust for the past 25 years, has been appointed Chairman. Dyble, the Founder and Executive Chairman of global automotive public relations consultancy Influence Associates and Influence Emobility, led the Jaguar Land Rover Global Communications Team as Board Director from 2000 to 2007 as well as a series of other Board Level roles at OEMs and in the Global motor Industry.

    Keith Benjamin has been appointed Managing Director of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust. Benjamin’s exceptional experience across various brands in the global automotive industry includes 37 years at OEM board level, 12 of which were spent as Jaguar Land Rover’s Legal Director.

    The appointment of Jaguar Managing Director Rawdon Glover as a board member demonstrates the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust’s strong links with Jaguar today at the highest possible level and is a key stakeholder in the past present and future of the Jaguar brand. (more…)

  • Rimac shows off its supercar in New York City

    Rimac shows off its supercar in New York City

    Following the widely celebrated premiere of the Nevera R at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the latest addition to the Nevera family, the Nevera R, began its tour of the northeastern United States with a showcase in New York City’s famed Times Square.

    The electric hyper sportscar will then make its way to Long Island for The Bridge classic car show on Saturday, September 14, followed by stops at local showrooms in Rimac Greenwich, CT, in partnership with Miller Motorcars, and Rimac New York, Manhattan, NY, in collaboration with Manhattan Motorcars.

    Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Group, says: “The Nevera represents a landmark in automotive performance: a record-shattering car capable of setting new standards at the Nürburgring Nordschleife while also providing the comfort to drive thousands of miles across continents. When we set out to re-engineer this hyper-GT, we turned to our customers for feedback. (more…)

  • OceanScore launches emission monitoring software

    OceanScore launches emission monitoring software

    OceanScore unveiled the FuelEU Planner at a launch event for more than 150 clients and stakeholders in Hamburg this week, coinciding with the SMM conference and exhibition where FuelEU Maritime was a hot topic of discussion as its implementation looms on 1 January 2025.

    The attendance at the event reflected the high level of interest in the latest application to be launched by the maritime solutions and data firm to simplify the increasing complexities of regulatory compliance. This follows its market-leading ETS Manager geared towards the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) that was launched a year ago.

    The FuelEU Planner is a web-based solution that allows shipping companies to evaluate the various options for reducing GHG intensity, vessel optimisation and managing the remaining compliance balances. It is able to simulate different operational and investment decisions to be taken and compare these simulations from a total cost of ownership perspective. (more…)

  • Swarovski Optik unveils two new models of its binoculars

    Swarovski Optik unveils two new models of its binoculars

    Creating binoculars that make the observer one with nature – this was Swarovski’s motivation for the development of the NL Pure line. The company’s specialists pushed the boundaries of physics to meet the high demands for optical quality and design.

    With the new NL Pure 52, another exceptional pair of binoculars has been created offering unrivaled performance in terms of field of view, detail recognition, and ergonomics. We can proudly state that no comparable binoculars are currently available at this optical and mechanical level and in this objective lens and magnification range, comments Stefan Schwarz, CEO of Swarovski Optik.

    The new NL Pure models with a 52mm objective lens diameter have been developed primarily for demanding viewing situations involving long distances or challenging light conditions, as the large diameter of the new NL Pure models allows more light to reach the observer’s eye. (more…)