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New work schedule could cure your 'social jetlag'

Researchers report that aligning work schedules with employees' biological clocks can improve sleep duration and quality, as well as social jetlag and general wellbeing. The study found that flexible work schedules reduced stress and improved satisfaction with leisure time.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 12, 2015

Solving the riddle of neutron stars

Theoretical astrophysicists discovered that gravitational waves from merging binary neutron star systems have a characteristic spectrum similar to atomic spectral lines. This allows for the inference of neutron star properties, including equation of state and stellar structure.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 10, 2015

Breakthrough in OLED technology

Researchers in California and Japan develop OLEDs with finely patterned structures, producing bright, low-power light sources. The key finding is confining charge transport and recombination to nanoscale areas, extending electroluminescent efficiency by almost two orders of magnitude.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 2, 2015

Researchers enable solar cells to use more sunlight

A team of researchers from the University of Luxembourg and TDK has improved a conductive oxide film to increase transparency in the infrared region, enabling solar cells to harness more sunlight. The breakthrough allows for stable films that retain conductivity after exposure to air for over a year.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalProgress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications·DateFeb 25, 2015

How we know where we are

A study by Ruhr-University Bochum scientists and colleagues identifies specific brain regions responsible for spatial memory. The researchers found that suppressing irrelevant activities improves spatial navigation accuracy.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Novel high-power microwave generator

A new study by scientists from Bangladesh explores the viability of a novel structure for generating high-power microwaves, offering an alternative to traditional approaches. The proposed semi-circular slow wave structure is capable of producing high-power microwaves via ultra-high-frequency radio waves.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 11, 2015

Debate on safety of e-cigarettes continues

A recent article collection in BMC Medicine examines the safety of e-cigarettes, with two experts offering differing views on their impact. Peter Hajek argues that e-cigarettes are orders of magnitude safer than conventional cigarettes, while Charlotta Pisinger believes they can be less harmful but still pose health risks.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateDec 8, 2014

When noise gets electrons moving

Researchers discovered a counter-intuitive current induced by sound waves in a disordered environment. Noise fluctuations lead to directed electron transport behavior and current reversal, paving the way for innovative semi-conductor devices.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 4, 2014

Better bomb-sniffing technology

Researchers have created a new material that can detect explosives and toxic gases in seconds, offering four advantages over current detectors: sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The breakthrough could lead to flexible solar panels and improved public safety.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 4, 2014

New way to make batteries safer

Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to coat batteries with a special material that prevents them from conducting electricity after being swallowed. The QTC-coated batteries were found to not damage the gastrointestinal tract in animal tests, showing promise as a safer alternative.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2014

Observing the Birkeland currents

The study reveals two distinct stages in Earth's response to solar wind forcing, with most energy deposited in the polar atmosphere during the second stage. Researchers are working to understand a potential delay between stages, which could provide near-term warnings for space weather disruptions.

SourceWiley·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 6, 2014

Nuclear spins control current in plastic LED

Physicists at the University of Utah have developed a method to control electrical current in a cheap, plastic LED using nuclear spins. They achieved this at room temperature without strong magnetic fields, bringing the study closer to practical machines that work spintronically.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateSep 18, 2014

The world's first photonic router

Researchers have successfully demonstrated a photonic router – a quantum device based on an atom that enables routing of single photons by single photons. This achievement brings closer the goal of building quantum computers, which rely on superposition and photonic communication to process data in parallel.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateJul 14, 2014

University of Illinois study advances limits for ultrafast nano-devices

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to generate spin currents in nanoscale devices, enabling faster operation of magnetic memory devices. The technique uses temperature differences to transport spin-angular-momentum, overcoming limitations of traditional electrical current-based methods.

Power consumption of robot joints could be 40 perecnt less, according to a laboratory study

A laboratory study has found that taking into consideration both the current and previous orders in flexible joints can significantly reduce energy consumption. The researchers used polynomial or fractional order reconstructions, which may be of interest for robot elbows and wrists, with potential savings up to 40%.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalControl Engineering Practice·DateJul 3, 2014

Watching individual neurons respond to magnetic therapy

Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to measure the response of an individual neuron to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a procedure used to treat psychiatric disorders. By recording activity from single neurons during TMS, the team gained a basic understanding of the technique's physiological mechanisms.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2014

Ferroelectric switching seen in biological tissues

University of Washington researchers have confirmed the presence of ferroelectric switching in biological tissues, particularly in proteins found in organs that repeatedly stretch and retract. This phenomenon may help build and support healthy connective tissues in mammals and potentially detect early stages of hardening of arteries.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 2014

'Free choice' in primates altered through brain stimulation

Researchers at KU Leuven have discovered a causal link between brain activity in the ventral tegmental area and choice behavior in primates. By stimulating this area with electrical pulses, macaques were able to change their preference for images, highlighting the importance of dopamine in regulating learning and reinforcement.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 29, 2014

New electric fish genus and species discovered in Brazil's Rio Negro

Researchers at UMass Amherst and INPA discovered a new genus and species of electric knifefish in the Negro River, revealing unique features such as electric organs and distinct pulse patterns. The discovery is expected to contribute to a better understanding of Amazonian biodiversity and its adaptations.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia·DateApr 22, 2014

Amino acid fingerprints revealed in new study

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technique to identify amino acids, including subtly modified variants, by analyzing electrical activity signals. This breakthrough advances the prospect of clinical protein sequencing and discovery of new biomarkers for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 6, 2014