(a) Experimental Setup: A charged microparticle is trapped using a laser beam in a parabolic trap. Temperature control is achieved through a noisy electrical signal simulating a thermal bath. (b) Evolution Kinematics: The evolution kinematics are analyzed between two initial states—one hotter and one colder than the intermediate target state, equidistant from both. Results show … Read more
Hebbian dynamics produce power–law connection strengths. Credit:bioRxiv (2022). DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.30.494086 A study by physicists and neuroscientists from the University of Chicago, Harvard and Yale describes how connectivity among neurons comes about through general principles of networking and self-organization, rather than the biological features of an individual organism. The study, titled “Heavy–tailed neuronal connectivity arises from … Read more
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Japan, whose unmanned “sniper” probe will attempt a lunar landing on Saturday, is one of many countries and private companies launching new missions to the moon. It is a feat so far only achieved by four nations—the United States, the Soviet Union, China and most recently India—with spacecraft often losing communication … Read more
Heterogeneous catalysts are often dynamic under operation. Now, the mechanism of CH4 dry reforming on Ni is studied by in situ microscopy and spectroscopy, revealing the formation of metastable surface nickel–oxygen structures from CO2 dissociation that exhibit different catalytic properties and induce rate oscillations. Credit: FHI Catalysis is one of the key technologies in the … Read more
Credit: Deep Rajwar from Pexels In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers have found that more extreme and frequent droughts would dramatically increase the amount of forest burned by wildfire in the southern Appalachian region of the Southeast through the end of the century. In a study published in Fire Ecology, researchers found … Read more
A firefighter’s protective clothing includes three layers made of different types of textiles. A pair of studies by NIST has found that these textiles often contain potentially cancer-causing chemicals called PFAS and that they can release more of those chemicals when subject to simulated wear and tear. Credit: B. Hayes/NIST Last year, a study by … Read more
Female silkmoth (Bombyx mori) on the leaf of a mulberry tree, the only host plant for the offspring of these moths. The combed antennae, which act as the insect’s “nose” to detect odors, are clearly visible. The lateral branches of the antennae are covered with thousands of hair-like structures called sensilla, which house the sensory … Read more
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers from LUISS Guido Carli University have published a new study that examines whether and how subtle shifts in language arousal might shape consumer engagement and the way it affects perceptions of influencers’ trustworthiness. The study, published in the Journal of Marketing, is titled “How High-Arousal Language Shapes Micro Versus Macro … Read more
Exploring how changing rewards affects dog’s behavior. Credit: Enikő Kubinyi In animals, and often in humans too, performance is significantly impaired when the value of the reward for work is reduced. Argentinian and Hungarian researchers have studied what happens when family dogs are forced to switch from a cooked liver reward snack to dry food. … Read more
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Deer hunters are more likely to be swayed by social media messages about the potential risks of chronic wasting disease if they come from a source they believe aligns with their own views and values, according to a new study. The work is published in the journal Human Dimensions of Wildlife. … Read more
