April, 2023 | TechieTonics

Capsule X-Ray Dosimeter for Real-time Monitoring: Radiotherapy

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Radiotherapy is all about precision in targeting tumor tissue while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. To deliver precision radiation requires real time monitoring of the dose till the time it is absorbed. The task is quite challenging, especially if it is in gastrointestinal tract. The dynamic nature of the region makes it nearly inaccessible. Current approaches used for tracking biochemical indicators including pH and temperature are insufficient to give out comprehensive evaluation of radiotherapy.

Antineutrinos Detected at SNO+ Collaboration: Water Cherenkov Detector

April 12, 2023April 12, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Antineutrinos falls under the category of elusive particles. They are extremely difficult to detect due to their weak interaction with matter. These exotic particles have the same properties as neutrinos but with opposite charges. And have very little mass.

Book Review: Three Roads to Quantum Gravity by Lee Smolin

April 11, 2023May 17, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Three Roads to Quantum Gravity: A New Understanding of Space, Time and the Universe is written by Lee Smolin. He is a theoretical physicist and senior faculty member at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He has contributed significantly to the development of Loop Quantum Gravity and Deformed Special Relativity.

A Quadruped Robot with Proprioception and a Tail: Biomimicry

April 9, 2023April 9, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Nature has always inspired philosophers, scientists, and researchers alike. When it comes to solve human problems or create innovative products and technologies, studying nature’s designs and processes lead to more sustainable and efficient solutions. Afterall, nature has had millions of years to develop solutions to problems. These solutions have been honed through the process of natural selection. Learning and getting inspired from nature’s solutions, is called biomimicry. Designers, engineers, and scientists are inspired from nature to create more sustainable and efficient products and systems.

Book Review: The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins

April 6, 2023May 30, 2024 Pooja Kashyap

I am a big fan of Richard Dawkins works. I have already read his four books, namely, The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion and Brief Candle in the Dark. And I find them remarkable in the sense that he perfectly chooses his words to prove the clarity of his thoughts. As a science educator, his ideas are impeccably backed up with obvious logics. Which promotes scientific and logical understanding to the fundamental questions of persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence.

Distinct Activation Patterns of Projection Neurons: Cortical Dynamics

April 5, 2023April 5, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Cerebral cortex is the outer layer of cerebrum, that is the largest part of the brain. All kinds of higher-level processes such as language, memory, and decision-making are performed in this region. The complex, densely packed structure is saturated with various types of neurons. It is extremely difficult to image its neuronal dynamics with the necessary spatial and temporal resolution. So far, fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) technique is widely used for studying brain activity. However, when it comes down to examine neural circuitry at the point of a single…

Magnetic Star–planet Interactions: YZ Ceti b

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Magnetic field is an important characteristic of a planet. And when it comes to Earth, the field is generated by the motion of molten iron in its core. It not only protects the atmosphere on Earth from cosmic radiations but it also deflects the charged particles spewed off by the sun. In absence of magnetic field, planet’s atmosphere would erode. Thus, making it less habitable.

Piezoelectric Effect observed in Ionic Liquids: Pressure Electricity

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Certain materials like crystals, ceramics, and at times even biological matter (bone, DNA, and proteins), can generate an electrical charge. The effect is seen when the material is put under the influence of some mechanical stress – such as pressure or vibration – this phenomenon is termed as piezoelectricity. The charge is accumulated on the surface of the material. From there, it can be used for various applications.

Astrocytes are the Information Regulators: Brain Pathology

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Astrocytes are the non-neuronal cells that provide support and maintenance to neurons in the brain and spinal cord. They have a star-shaped morphology, with multiple branching processes that extend out from the cell body. They form specialized junctions with blood vessels for regulating the transport of nutrients and other molecules between the brain and the bloodstream.

Gravity is Holographic Projection from a Higher-Dimension: De Sitter Space

April 2, 2023April 2, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

According to Einstein’s theory of general relativity, gravity arises from the curvature of spacetime, caused by the presence of massive objects. This curvature, also, impacts the motion of all nearby objects thus, causing them to move in curved paths. General relativity however breaks down under extreme conditions such as those found in black holes and the early universe. These conditions comprise of high energies and densities, which exponentially influences the effects of quantum mechanics. And it has been observed that the laws of general relativity no longer provide a complete…