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Orangutans: Lethal aggression between females

Researchers observed a female orangutan being killed by another female, with a male recruited as a hired gun. Female-female aggression is rare, and the case defies typical patterns of joint coalitional killings.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateFeb 3, 2016

Helping turn waste heat into electricity

Researchers found a way to control energy transfer between electrons and bismuth crystal lattice, enabling efficient conversion of waste heat into electricity. This discovery could improve the overall efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess heat.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 3, 2016

Physical parameters matter in terms of cancer cells' metastatic ability

A recent study found that the presence of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) promotes the motility of elongated mesenchymal tumour cells in breast cancer cells, which migrate along collagen fibres. This increased persistence and moderate speed suggests that EGF contributes to modulating the mobility of tumour cells.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateFeb 1, 2016

Exact formula now available for measuring scientific success

A Polish team has developed an analytical method to predict the h-index, a key scientific measurement, using bibliometric data. The study provides an exact formula to calculate external citations and self-citations for each paper written by an author, opening doors for growth analysis in social networks and different scientific fields.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 1, 2016

Anti-hydrogen origin revealed by collision simulation

A new study published in Springer reveals that numerical calculation approaches developed to simulate collisions can be used to explain antihydrogen formation. The researchers found excellent agreement between two different methods for hydrogen, but identified room for improvement for helium.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJan 26, 2016

Recipe for muon pair creation, in theory

A Japanese physicist has developed new ways to create muonium atoms through particle collisions, offering advancements in detection and applications in proton size measurements. The second method using a positively charged muon colliding with a muonic hydrogen atom shows the most promise for future experiments.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJan 18, 2016

Genes may contribute to making some nations happier than others

A study found that nations with higher prevalence of the A allele in the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene variant are also reported as happier. This allele helps prevent pain and enhances sensory pleasure. Climate, economics, and politics did not significantly influence happiness levels.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateJan 14, 2016

Behavioral studies from mobile crowd-sensing

A new study published in EPJ Data Science found that exercising and spending time outside the home reduces participants' stress levels, while reduced working hours have a minimal effect. The research used data from the StudentLife project at Dartmouth College to validate this approach, which has great promise for future studies.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateDec 22, 2015

Minutest absolute magnetic field measurement

Physicists have developed an extremely high-precision method for magnetic field measurement, combining the accuracy of helium and cesium magnetometers. This device has an intrinsic sensitivity ideal for explaining the missing antimatter in the universe, a key area of research in fundamental physics and cosmology.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 3, 2015

Conductor turned insulator amid disorder

Researchers have discovered a multifractal spatial structure in disordered materials that can turn them from conductors to insulators. This finding has significant implications for understanding the behavior of disordered materials, which are found in amorphous solids like glass and biological tissue.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 2, 2015

Trapping climate pollutant methane gas in porous carbon

Researchers develop methods to accurately simulate methane adsorption and desorption in porous carbon, relevant for energy research and climate change mitigation. The study used computational methods to analyze molecular interactions between methane and activated carbon, providing insights into preventing gas adsorption.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 2, 2015

Enabling Asia to stabilize the climate

The book offers a positive agenda for climate change mitigation in Asia, providing concrete actions from an Asian perspective to influence COP 21 discussions. Successful examples of policy development and sector-specific activities are highlighted, offering practical guidelines for policymakers worldwide.

Christmas period may reduce quality of life for many Europeans

A new study suggests that many Europeans experience despondent and stressed feelings during the pre-Christmas period, but Christians, particularly those with high religious affiliation, tend to be more positive and content. Higher education levels and family presence also help individuals cope with the holiday stress.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateDec 1, 2015

Liquid foam: Plastic, elastic and fluid

French physicists develop a novel understanding of foam flow in a wedge-shaped channel, identifying connections between plastic events and deformation rates. This study has implications for further research on liquid foam properties and their impact on mechanical energy absorption.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 30, 2015

Complex humor is no laughing matter

Research finds that cognitive constraints on mentalizing limit joke complexity to maintain humor; two-character jokes with up to five levels of intentionality are most effective. Professional comedians must balance cleverness with audience comprehension.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateNov 24, 2015

Bringing the chaos in light sources under control

A study investigates how to control noise in quantum dot LEDs by modulating bias current, leading to stabilized light sources suitable for optical telecommunications. The researchers found that spiking competition of quantum dots enhances self-feedback and affects noise perturbation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateNov 18, 2015

Zooplankton: Not-so-passive motion in turbulence

Researchers found that zooplankton copepods display energetic behavior in turbulent flows, amplifying the flow's intermittent properties. Their self-induced motion adds to fluctuations in speed, affecting feeding efficiency and ecological modeling.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 11, 2015

Medicines do not seem to degrade faster in space

A study on medicines stored in space for up to 550 days revealed that they do not degrade faster than on Earth. The research found that some medications were still viable beyond their expiration dates, while others showed minimal degradation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe AAPS Journal·DateNov 10, 2015

Body odor sets female rhesus monkeys apart

Rhesus monkeys can distinguish between female group members and those from different social groups using their sense of smell. This ability helps them understand their social environment, with males and older monkeys showing greater interest in distinguishing odors.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateNov 2, 2015

May the 5th force be with you

Fischbach's work on the Eötvös Experiment led to a reevaluation of data suggesting a possible new force in the universe. Despite no experimental confirmation, his theory has stimulated novel experiments and theories, including the quest for new macroscopic fields of gravitational strength.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateOct 27, 2015

When queuing in a supermarket, who do you let go first?

A new study on supermarket queuing behavior found that customers are more willing to cooperate if the recipients can save significant waiting time. The authors propose a model of indirect reciprocity, where potential helpers' readiness to cooperate depends on their image of the recipient.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateOct 22, 2015

Anti-clumping strategy for nanoparticles

Researchers identified key factors leading to nanoparticles' instability and aggregation in industrial applications. The conditions include the electric force imbalance between particles and attractive or repulsive forces.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateOct 16, 2015

Surfing over simulated ripples in graphene

Scientists from India developed a theory governing curved graphene using a quantum simulator based on an optical lattice. The findings could lead to novel graphene-based sensors with controlled deformation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 18, 2015

Dealing with climate change and local beliefs in Africa

Research in Malawi and Zambia highlights the importance of considering local knowledge and beliefs when addressing climate change. In two rural communities, differing responses to changing climates were observed depending on co-existing traditional and Christian beliefs.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateSep 15, 2015

Not on my watch: Chimp swats film crew's drone

A chimpanzee at the Royal Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands deliberately used a stick as a weapon to bring down an aerial drone. This incident highlights the apes' ability to plan ahead and utilize tools in innovative ways, even without explicit training.

SourceSpringer·JournalPrimates·DateSep 3, 2015

Orangutan females prefer cheek-padded males

Research found that cheek-padded males are significantly more successful in fathering offspring, with dominant males having greater reproductive success during their tenure as dominant. However, other males were able to sire offspring during periods of rank instability or at the beginning and end of a dominant male's reign.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateSep 1, 2015

Lizards can stomach island living

A study found that island-dwelling Balkan green lizards have a longer small intestine and hindgut compared to their mainland counterparts. They also possess cecal valves, which slow down food passage and provide fermenting chambers, allowing them to digest more plant material.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateAug 31, 2015

Is incense bad for your health?

A recent study found that incense smoke contains mutagenic properties, causing genetic mutations and potential cancers. Incense was compared to cigarette smoke in a comparison of indoor use, revealing surprising results.

SourceSpringer·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry Letters·DateAug 25, 2015

Crying has its perks

Researchers found that tears help to relieve emotions, leading to an improvement in mood, even if it takes time for the feelings to recover

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateAug 24, 2015

Gold-diamond nanodevice for hyperlocalized cancer therapy

A novel combination of techniques is used to create a biocompatible nanodevice that can deliver localized heating to cancer cells while accurately sensing temperature with diamond nanocrystals. This allows for precise targeting of biological molecules and effective thermal cancer therapy.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Quantum Technology·DateJul 31, 2015

Identifying ever-growing disturbances leading to freak waves

Researchers have made significant progress in identifying growing localised patterns as early indicators of freak waves. By resolving the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, they can extract pertinent information from localised disturbances' characteristics, shedding light on complex dynamics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 28, 2015

Law governing anomalous heat conduction revealed

Researchers have discovered a new law governing anomalous heat conduction, which scales up with temperature in a power law manner. This finding challenges previous exponential scaling predictions and provides insights into the thermal transport of electrons.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 14, 2015

Why not build houses the environmentally friendly way?

A comprehensive review of studies on green buildings found that occupants experience better indoor air quality, reduced exposure to allergens and pollutants, and improved physical and mental health. Green buildings also improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance patient care in hospitals.

SourceSpringer·JournalCurrent Environmental Health Reports·DateJul 9, 2015

Improving insulation materials, down to wetting crossed fibers

Researchers study the behavior of liquids trapped between two parallel fibers, discovering that spreading is controlled by three key parameters: liquid amount, fiber orientation, and distance between them. This insight could lead to cheaper materials with better insulation properties.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 1, 2015