Scientific Breakthroughs & Discoveries news in Malaysia

1. Betel alkaloid found in prehistoric teeth on Sulawesi may rewrite earliest drug use

   1 hour ago China Press

   Griffith University archaeologists found two rare forager skeletons on Sulawesi, Indonesia, with arecoline detected in tooth tissue, direct evidence of prehistoric drug use. The remains date to about 25,000-16,000 and 7,600-6,300 years ago, and the study in Science Advances suggests whole-betel chewing may be the world's earliest known drug use.

2. Japan develops new electrolyte additive, lithium battery retains 95.6% capacity after 1,000 cycles

   5 days ago China Press

   Japan's JAIST research institute has developed a new electrolyte additive called FPTI that strengthens the protective layer on graphite anodes. Tests show batteries with the additive retain 95.6% capacity after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles. The findings were published in the journal Energy & Fuels.