The Compton Observatory detected the brightest gamma-ray burst in its five and a half year mission, releasing as much energy in tens of seconds as the Sun will produce in ten-billion-year lifetime. The burst is rare and may contain information about sources that cannot be extracted from weaker events.
The study reveals that higher brain structures directly control the abstract information in a bird's song, while lower brain centers manage individual notes. Researchers hope to gain insight into how learning influences brain activity patterns.
Sandia scientists have improved portable computer display screens using phosphor luminescence, which can reduce power consumption and improve performance. The new technology can operate at low voltage and is expected to outperform liquid crystal displays in various applications.