Computers

Graphene is incredibly strong, lightweight, conductive ... the list of its superlative properties goes on. It is not, however, magnetic -- a shortcoming that has stunted its usefulness in spintronics, an emerging field that scientists say could eventually rewrite the rules of electronics, leading to more powerful semiconductors, computers and other devices. Now, an … [Read more...] about Scientists induce artificial ‘magnetic texture’ in graphene: Quantum science advancement could help lead to powerful spintronic devices, such as semiconductors and quantum computers

An international team of scientists has developed a system that can generate random numbers over a hundred times faster than current technologies, paving the way towards faster, cheaper, and more secure data encryption in today's digitally connected world. The random generator system was jointly developed by researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU … [Read more...] about Laser system generates random numbers at ultrafast speeds

Smartphones could be used to scan people's eyes for early-warning signs of glaucoma -- helping to prevent severe ocular diseases and blindness, a new study reveals. Some of the most common eye-related diseases are avoidable and display strong risk factors before onset, but it is much harder to pinpoint a group of people at risk from glaucoma. Glaucoma is associated with … [Read more...] about Smartphones could help to prevent glaucoma blindness

Our use of social media, specifically our efforts to maximize "likes," follows a pattern of "reward learning," concludes a new study by an international team of scientists. Its findings, which appear in the journal Nature Communications, reveal parallels with the behavior of animals, such as rats, in seeking food rewards. "These results establish that social media engagement … [Read more...] about Social media use driven by search for reward, akin to animals seeking food

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting more than 65 million worldwide. For those dealing with epilepsy, the advent of a seizure can feel like a ticking time bomb. It could happen at any time or any place, potentially posing a fatal risk when a seizure strikes during risky situations, such as while driving. A research team at USC Viterbi School of … [Read more...] about Early-warning for seizures could be a game-changer for epilepsy patients

If you've ever watched Planet Earth, you know the ocean is a wild place to live. The water is teaming with different ecosystems and organisms varying in complexity from an erudite octopus to a sea star. Unexpectedly, it is the sea star, a simple organism characterized by a decentralized nervous system, that offers insights into advanced adaptation to hydrodynamic forces -- the … [Read more...] about Can a robot operate effectively underwater?

Robots that could take on basic healthcare tasks to support the work of doctors and nurses may be the way of the future. Who knows, maybe a medical robot can prescribe your medicine someday? That's the idea behind 3D structural-sensing robots being developed and tested at Simon Fraser University by Woo Soo Kim, associate professor in the School of Mechatronic Systems … [Read more...] about Sensing robot healthcare helpers

A revolutionary machine-learning (ML) approach to simulate the motions of atoms in materials such as aluminum is described in this week's Nature Communications journal. This automated approach to "interatomic potential development" could transform the field of computational materials discovery. "This approach promises to be an important building block for the study of materials … [Read more...] about Machine learning aids in simulating dynamics of interacting atoms: Automated approach transformative for computational materials science

In today's global economy, production of goods depends on inputs from many trade partners around the world. Companies and governments need a deeper understanding of the global value chain to reduce costs, maintain a profitable production system, and anticipate ripple effects of disruptions in the supply chain. Applied economists from the University of Illinois have developed a … [Read more...] about Most important global supply chain linkages

Researchers realize the first quantum-logic computer operation between two separate quantum modules in different laboratories. Today's quantum computers contain up to several dozen memory and processing units, the so-called qubits. Severin Daiss, Stefan Langenfeld, and colleagues from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching have successfully interconnected two … [Read more...] about Quantum systems learn joint computing