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Chemical synthesis of nanotubes

Researchers at the University of Tokyo successfully synthesized a phenine nanotube with intentional periodic defects, which imbue it with semiconductor characters. The discovery uses a novel process starting with benzene and platinum atoms to create a controlled defect structure.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2019

'Dancing' hyperon in pear-shaped hypernuclei

The study of 'dancing' hyperons in pear-shaped hypernuclei reveals unique behaviors and new insights into fundamental interactions. Researchers found that the hyperon's spatial distribution has a spherical symmetry when occupying the lowest-energy state, shrinking nuclear size and decreasing quadrupole deformation.

RUDN physicist described the shape of a wormhole

A RUDN physicist has demonstrated how to calculate the shape of a symmetrical wormhole based on its wave spectrum, providing new insights into the physics of black holes. The research uses quantum mechanical and geometrical assumptions to determine the shape and mass of a wormhole from observable properties such as red shift.

SourceRUDN University·JournalPhysics Letters B·DateOct 16, 2018

How a tetrahedral substance can be more symmetrical than a spherical atom: A new type of symmetry

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have demonstrated that special tetrahedron nanostructures composed of certain metals can exhibit a higher degree of symmetry than spherical atoms. This new type of symmetry may lead to unprecedented electrical and magnetic properties, enabling the creation of novel electronic materials.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 14, 2018

Correcting the eyesight of microscopes

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science discovered that asymmetric apertures can cause astigmatism in microscopes, leading to degraded image resolution. By correcting for this effect, they improved the technique of line-temporal focusing microscopy, achieving unprecedented resolution in biological structures.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 28, 2018

On the shape of the 'petal' for the dissipation curve

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have made significant progress in understanding the shape of the energy dissipation curve of edge states in topological insulators. The study reveals specific and measurable regularities that affect the physical properties of electron gases, including new peaks in absorption spectra and changes in ...

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalJournal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics·DateApr 20, 2018

Sexual objectification influences visual perception

Researchers found that symmetrical stimuli are less likely to trigger an inversion effect when targets are sexualized, suggesting a cognitive mechanism behind human sexual objectification. Visual exploration strategies may play a role in this phenomenon, with lower fixations on the face region of sexualized targets.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 12, 2018

Breaking local symmetry: Why water freezes but silica forms a glass

Research at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science reveals that water and silica diverge when cooled due to differences in atomic arrangement. Water's strong orientational order leads to easy crystallization, whereas silica's weak ordering results in supercooling and glass formation.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2018

Rubber blanket at an atomic level

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to measure internal stresses and strains in 2D materials, revealing the effects on electronic properties. This new technique allows for precise imaging of deformations, enabling targeted adjustment of material properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 12, 2018

Seeing through walls of unknown materials

Researchers have devised a method to scan walls without prior knowledge of their material composition, exploiting symmetry for effective resolution. This approach enables inexpensive devices to locate conduits, pipes, and wires in construction, with potential applications in security and industry.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptica·DateDec 6, 2017

Robust Bain distortion in the premartensite phase of a platinum-substituted Ni2MnGa

Scientists at Max Planck Institute discovered robust Bain distortion in premartensite phase of Pt-substituted Ni2MnGa, which transforms to martensite with additional Bain distortion on further cooling. This phenomenon enhances applicability as magnetic actuators and refrigeration technology due to lower hysteresis.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2017

Breaking cell symmetry

Researchers discover that cortical tension plays a key role in clustering proteins and establishing cell polarity. This force-driven mechanism allows cells to establish polarity without wasting energy by actively transporting proteins or cellular components.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateNov 6, 2017

Magnets, all the way down!

Assemblies of metallic nanoparticles behave like bulk magnets, displaying intriguing shape-dependent behavior that could improve high-density information storage technologies. The structures' magnetic behavior is influenced only by the shape of the assemblies, revealing a single bulk ferromagnet.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 13, 2017

New twist on sofa problem that stumped mathematicians and furniture movers

Researchers at the University of California - Davis have developed a new solution to the 'moving sofa problem', a challenge that has stumped mathematicians for over 50 years. The team used 3-D printing and mathematical techniques to find the largest area that can fit around a corner, with potential applications in complex mathematics.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalExperimental Mathematics·DateMar 20, 2017