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Deflating beach balls and drug delivery

Researchers use deflating beach balls to model microscopic hollow spheres, revealing properties that could aid in targeted drug delivery. This understanding may help control directed motion and improve cancer treatment.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 25, 2019

Determining the shapes of atomic clusters

A team of researchers has confirmed that distinctive geometric shapes and irregular amorphous structures can be identified mathematically in atomic clusters. The new method provides insights into the structural properties and potential forces between atoms, enabling more effective engineering of nanoparticles for specific applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateOct 25, 2019

Modelling ion beam therapy

Researchers developed a consistent theoretical interpretation of ion beam energy deposition in liquid water jets, crucial for simulating interactions with human tissue. The new model allows for precise targeting of tumors while minimizing damage to adjacent normal tissue.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateOct 10, 2019

Fractal patterns in growing bacterial colonies

Researchers have applied a novel method to model bacterial colony growth, replicating fractal patterns observed in nature. The study used agent-based modeling to simulate the behavior of bacteria, varying parameters such as cell division speed and mechanical forces.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 20, 2019

Shocking embryonic limbs into shape

Using electric shocks accelerates the formation of limb and tail buds in early chicken embryos. The study reveals that concentric rings within the blastula deform in a cascade-like process, inducing each ring to change shape.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateSep 20, 2019

Conductivity at the edges of graphene bilayers

Researchers found that graphene bilayer conductivity varies based on the states of carbon atoms at their edges, particularly in relation to quantum spin Hall and Rashba spin-orbit coupling. This property could be useful for spintronics applications, including quantum computing.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 11, 2019

Realistic robots get under Galápagos lizards' skin

Researchers found that immediate robot responses stimulated wild Galápagos lizards to react more quickly and often than delayed responses. This may help lizards assess their competitors' aggression levels and avoid injury. The study used realistic robots to simulate displays, providing new insights into lizard communication.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateSep 4, 2019

Fragmenting ions and radiation sensitizers

Researchers investigated how radiation damages DNA in cancer cells treated with 5-fluorouracil, identifying new fragment ions and their formation thresholds. The study could lead to new ways of protecting normal tissues from radiation damage caused by radiotherapy.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateSep 3, 2019

Enabling longer space missions

Researchers used computer modeling and laboratory tests to investigate how changing gas flow rates and magnetic field sizes affect Hall thruster performance. They found that maintaining optimal ionization and acceleration regions can prolong the life of these systems, making them suitable for even longer space missions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateAug 20, 2019

Arnold Berliner Award 2019 goes to Martin Nyffeler

Martin Nyffeler's study calculates the significant ecological role of insectivorous birds in consuming herbivorous insects and other arthropods. The research reveals that forest birds are major consumers of arthropod biomass, with an estimated 400-500 million tons of prey consumed annually.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateAug 14, 2019

Quantum momentum

Researchers developed a new quantum-mechanical model to measure momentum of particles using a classical concept: time-of-flight. They achieved precise calculations by estimating probabilistic positions and distances between pointers coupled to moving wave packets.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateAug 7, 2019

Entropy explains RNA diffusion rates in cells

Researchers have discovered exponential patterns in RNA diffusion rates within cells, displaying the highest possible degree of disorder or entropy. This pattern is linked to small-scale diffusive behaviors and can be compared to thermodynamic behaviors in larger systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateAug 7, 2019

Optimizing structures within complex arrangements of bubbles

Researchers at Aberystwyth University used computer simulations to find optimal bubble arrangements within circular discs that minimize perimeter length. The study reveals that the number of possible structures increases as the number of bubbles grows, leading to a narrower range of area ratios for the smallest perimeter.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 31, 2019

Laser solitons: Theory, topology and potential applications

Researchers have developed a way to create stable laser solitons without external radiation, with potential applications in storing digital information. These solitons have complex internal structures and topologies, such as the 'apple' and 'trefoil' shapes, which can merge and potentially be used in digital storage systems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 31, 2019

Spread-changing orders and deletions affect stock prices

A study analyzing the NASDAQ100 index found that order deletions increase the bid-ask spread more often than trades do. The researchers also discovered that when the number of deletions exceeds the number of trades, stock prices become more varied across different stocks.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJul 18, 2019

Simulations fix the cracks in magnetic mirrors

Physicists have found that by fine-tuning the electromagnet configurations and initial plasma properties, magnetic mirrors can achieve longer confinement times and lower loss rates. This could make them ideal for new particle physics experiments.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 18, 2019

No assumptions needed to simulate petroleum reservoirs

Researchers found that by making the right choices in modeling, temperature gradients can accurately predict pressure and composition changes without assumptions. The study developed an equation to express pressure gradient, which revealed special cases where residual entropy affects pressure gradients.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJun 5, 2019

Dowsing for electric fields in liquid crystals

Physicists Pawel Pieranski and Maria Helena Godinho have found that the 'dowser texture' in nematic liquid crystals responds differently to electric fields in various materials. This phenomenon, known as electro-osmosis, enables detection of subtle electrical effects.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJun 4, 2019

Collagen fibres grow like a sunflower

Researchers at Universite Paris-sud studied how collagen fibrils form complex tissues. They found that the fibers grow in a unique, parabolic profile, with a constant diameter throughout growth, similar to a sunflower's florets.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 13, 2019

Using a mobile while browsing the shelves may make shoppers buy more

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science found that using mobile phones for purposes unrelated to shopping can increase the likelihood of making unplanned purchases. Researchers observed that even brief periods of phone use can consume attentional resources, leading to forgetfulness and impulse buying.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science·DateMay 5, 2019

Inner electrons behave differently in aromatic hydrocarbons

A new study investigates the Auger effect in aromatic hydrocarbons, revealing that molecules with pi electrons have a lower double ionization threshold. This finding favors Auger decay over saturated hydrocarbons, with potential applications in cancer treatment and atomic identification.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 11, 2019

Magnetic nanoparticles can 'burn' cancer cells

New research shows that magnetic hyperthermia therapy is tunable depending on nanoparticle diameter and material composition. The study demonstrates increased tumour absorption rates as particle diameter increases, offering new avenues for targeted cancer treatment.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 4, 2019

Liquid jets break up more readily on a substrate

Researchers used computational models to investigate how liquid drops behave on surfaces. They found that the presence of a substrate makes breakup more likely, leading to three possible scenarios: collapse into one droplet, break up into multiple droplets, or re-form back into a single droplet.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateApr 4, 2019

Understanding stock market returns: Which models fits best?

Researchers applied two competing stock market return models, Heston and multiplicative, to US historical data. The Heston model excels in predicting long-time accumulations of stock returns, while the multiplicative model is better suited for short-term predictions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 2, 2019

Optimizing proton beam therapy with mathematical models

Researchers developed a new model predicting proton beam effects on tumour and normal tissue more precisely, allowing for effective treatment plans. The study replaced traditional radiobiological models with complex ones, showing improved results for low-energy beams.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 2, 2019

Intelligent metamaterials behave like electrostatic chameleons

A new class of intelligent metamaterials, called metashells, has been developed to respond to nearby objects. These materials can change their physical characteristics, such as permittivity, in accordance with the electromagnetic properties of the material they contain, enabling adaptive behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 2, 2019

Electron-gun simulations explain the mechanisms of high-energy cosmic rays

Chinese physicists develop mathematical equations and computer simulations to model photodetachment of negative ions via photons, simulating cosmic rays' collisions with planets. The speed of a moving surface significantly affects the chances of photodetachment, with Chloride (Cl-) ions being less prone than hydrogen (H-) ions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 6, 2019

Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement goals

A new open-access book presents two years of research on how to best tackle climate change, funded by the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The book provides a feasible roadmap for achieving and surpassing the targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement, indicating that goals are achievable with current technology.

How ion adsorption affects biological membranes' functions

A new mathematical model describes how ion adsorption affects biological membranes' electrical properties at different pH levels. The model reveals that calcium ions have a greater ability to adsorb than barium ions, with hydroxide-containing ions being more readily absorbed.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJan 28, 2019

NBA players who shine early stay skilled for longer

A recent study published in Behaviour Research Methods found that NBA players who excelled early in their careers retained more skill as they aged. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,800 players and discovered a slower decline in performance after the peak of their career.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavior Research Methods·DateJan 27, 2019