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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 14, 2020:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Physics news
 | The Hall effect links superconductivity and quantum criticality in a strange metalOver the past few decades, researchers have identified a number of superconducting materials with atypical properties, known as unconventional superconductors. Many of these superconductors share the same anomalous charge transport properties and are thus collectively characterized as "strange metals." |
 | Attosecond pulses reveal electronic ripples in moleculesIn the first experiment to take advantage of a new technology for producing powerful attosecond X-ray laser pulses, a research team led by scientists from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University showed they can create electronic ripples in molecules through a process called "impulsive Raman scattering." |
 | Collective quantum effect: When electrons keep togetherMany celestial objects such as stars or planets contain matter that is exposed to high temperatures and pressure—experts call it warm dense matter (WDM). Although this state of matter on earth only occurs in the earth's core, research on WDM is fundamental for various future areas such as clean energy, harder materials or a better understanding of solar systems. In a study recently published in Physical Review Letters, a team led by physicist Dr. Tobias Dornheim of the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and alumnus of Kiel University (CAU), now reveals that warm dense matter behaves significantly differently than assumed, which calls into question its previous description. |
 | Physicists discover new magnetoelectric effectElectricity and magnetism are closely related: Power lines generate a magnetic field, rotating magnets in a generator produce electricity. However, the phenomenon is much more complicated: electrical and magnetic properties of certain materials are also coupled with each other. Electrical properties of some crystals can be influenced by magnetic fields—and vice versa. In this case one speaks of a "magnetoelectric effect." It plays an important technological role, for example in certain types of sensors or in the search for new concepts of data storage. |
 | First fiber-optic nanotip electron gun enables easier nanoscale researchScientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Nebraska have developed an easier way to generate electrons for nanoscale imaging and sensing, providing a useful new tool for material science, bioimaging and fundamental quantum research. |
 | Physicists 'trick' photons into behaving like electrons using a 'synthetic' magnetic fieldScientists have discovered an elegant way of manipulating light using a 'synthetic' Lorentz force—which in nature is responsible for many fascinating phenomena including the Aurora Borealis. |
 | Infinite chains of hydrogen atoms have surprising properties, including a metallic phaseAn infinite chain of hydrogen atoms is just about the simplest bulk material imaginable—a never-ending single-file line of protons surrounded by electrons. Yet a new computational study combining four cutting-edge methods finds that the modest material boasts fantastic and surprising quantum properties. |
 | Big answers from tiny particlesA team of scientists led by Kanazawa University proposed a new mathematical framework to understand the properties of the fundamental particles called neutrinos. This work may help cosmologists make progress on the apparent paradox of the existence of matter in the Universe. |
 | A magnetic field with an edgeA team of Indian and Japanese physicists have overturned the six-decade old notion that the giant magnetic field in a high intensity laser produced plasma evolves from the small, nanometre scale in the bulk plasma. They show that instead the field actually originates at macroscopic scales defined by the boundaries of the electron beam that is propagating in the plasma. The new mechanism seeks to alter our understanding of magnetic fields in astrophysical scenarios and laser fusion and may help in the design of the next generation high energy particle sources for imaging and therapies. |
 | Full-face readings can optimize fever screening with infrared thermographsThermography has been a hot topic this year, due to the need for quicker diagnostics to detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Noncontact infrared thermometers (NCITs) are currently a primary tool for fever screening, but their widespread use has been prone to inaccuracy. A related medical technology, thermography using infrared thermographs (IRTs), enables increased options for temperature estimation with greater accuracy. Although the use of thermography as a stand-alone detection method for COVID-19 is unlikely to prevent spread, emerging evidence and international consensus suggest that it is indeed possible to use IRTs effectively for detecting elevated body temperatures. |
Astronomy and Space news
 | Millihertz quasi-periodic oscillations detected in an X-ray binaryAstronomers from Australia and Taiwan report the discovery of millihertz quasi-periodic oscillations in a neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary known as 1RXS J180408.9−342058. The discovery, detailed in a paper published September 3 on the arXiv preprint server, could help astronomers better understand the nature and behavior of X-ray binary sources. |
 | Hints of life on Venus: Scientists detect phosphine molecules in high cloud decksAn international team of astronomers, led by Professor Jane Greaves of Cardiff University, today announced the discovery of a rare molecule—phosphine—in the clouds of Venus. On Earth, this gas is only made industrially, or by microbes that thrive in oxygen-free environments. |
 | A warm Jupiter orbiting a cool starA planet observed crossing in front of, or transiting, a low-mass star has been determined to be about the size of Jupiter. While hundreds of Jupiter-sized planets have been discovered orbiting larger sun-like stars, it is rare to see these planets orbiting low-mass host stars and the discovery could help astronomers to better understand how these giant planets form. |
 | China says Mars probe stable; no word on reusable spacecraftChina's Mars probe Tianwen-1, which blasted into space in July, is now more than 15 million kilometers (9 million miles) from Earth en route to the red planet, the National Space Administration said Saturday. |
 | SpaceX SN8 to launch and fly to 60,000 feet next weekElon Musk, head of SpaceX, has announced via Twitter that the company's SN8 rocket will take a test flight sometime next week. The plan is for the rocket is to soar up to 60,000 feet (18,300 meters) and then return to Earth in a controlled landing. |
 | Uranian moons in new lightMore than 230 years ago astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus and two of its moons. Using the Herschel Space Observatory, a group of astronomers led by Örs H. Detre of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy now has succeeded in determining physical properties of the five main moons of Uranus. The measured infrared radiation, which is generated by the Sun heating their surfaces, suggests that these moons resemble dwarf planets like Pluto. The team developed a new analysis technique that extracted the faint signals from the moons next to Uranus, which is more than a thousand times brighter. The study was published today in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. |
Technology news
 | An operational amplifier fabricated using a 2-D semiconductorAnalog electronics are electronic systems that operate with currents and voltages that continuously change over time, rather than switching only between two levels, like digital electronics. Most existing analog devices are made of silicon. Due to the pressing demand for electronics that can be integrated within a wide range of devices, however, researchers have recently started exploring the possibility of fabricating analog components using alternative materials. |
 | ARPA-type funding gives green technology an 'innovation advantage', study findsA new analysis of the successes and failures of green energy companies in the US has found that those with ARPA funding filed for far more patents in the years after launching than other "cleantech" startups from the same time. |
 | New research teaches AI how people move with internet videosNew research at the University of Michigan can train neural network models to identify a person's position in videos where only a portion of their body is visible in the shot. This breakthrough opens up a huge library of video content to a new use—teaching machines the meaning behind people's poses, as well as the different ways they interact with their environment. |
 | Machine-learning helps sort out massive materials' databasesEPFL and MIT scientists have used machine-learning to organize the chemical diversity found in the ever-growing databases for the popular metal-organic framework materials. |
 | Tandem devices feel the heatUnderstanding how solar cell operation changes as it moves from the lab into the real world is essential for optimizing their design prior to mass production. KAUST researchers show how perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells function in a hot, sunny environment. |
 | How to harness the power of biosolids to make hydrogenResearchers have used biosolids to produce hydrogen from wastewater, in new technology that supports the comprehensive recycling of one of humanity's unlimited resources—sewage. |
 | BLURtooth attack overwrites Bluetooth encryption keysA bluetooth vulnerability that could impact millions of users of smartphones, tablets and IoT devices was reported last week by two research groups. |
 | Apple out to reignite growth with line updatesApple is expected to spotlight its smartwatch, iPad, and subscription services on Tuesday as it strives to reignite growth with a must-have holiday line-up. |
 | Source: Oracle wins TikTok over Microsoft in Trump-urged bidThe owner of TikTok has chosen Oracle over Microsoft as the American tech partner that could help keep the popular video-sharing app running in the U.S., according to a source familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly about it. |
 | SoftBank Group selling Arm to NVIDIA for up to $40 billionJapan's SoftBank Group said Monday it is selling British chip designer Arm to US firm NVIDIA for up to $40 billion, potentially creating a new giant in the industry but sparking an investigation by UK regulators and fears about the impact on jobs. |
 | Amazon to hire 100,000 to keep up with online shopping surgeAmazon will hire another 100,000 people to keep up with a surge of online orders. |
 | Q&A: What does a deal between TikTok and Oracle mean?ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the popular video-sharing app TikTok, has chosen Oracle over Microsoft as a new American technology partner to help keep the app operating in the U.S. TikTok confirmed the decision Monday, echoing earlier statements from Oracle and the U.S. treasury secretary. |
 | High-performance computing helps grid operators manage increasing complexityMaking sure there's enough electricity at the lowest price is a critical endeavor undertaken daily by electricity market operators. Grid operators must continually ensure that power supply meets demand in real time. Now, there's an approach that provides more timely and accurate information to make decisions in the day-ahead timeframe. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed a new computational tool in collaboration with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which operates one of the largest wholesale electricity markets in the world. Gurobi Optimization, GE Grid Solutions, the University of Florida, and Cognitive Analytics also are partners in the project. The project was initially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy through its OPEN 2015 funding opportunity. |
 | Digital 3-D models of London chart path to lower emissionsAn interactive 3-D map of London that grades the energy efficiency of more than 3.5 million properties has been built by UCL researchers for the Greater London Authority (GLA) to inform efforts in tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions. |
 | Light processing improves robotic sensing, study findsA team of Army researchers uncovered how the human brain processes bright and contrasting light, which they say is a key to improving robotic sensing and enabling autonomous agents to team with humans. |
 | US government confirms receiving Oracle bid for TikTokAhead of a deadline set by President Donald Trump over video sharing app TikTok, US officials will evaluate a bid that could see American tech giant Oracle become a partner to a Chinese company that has been called a national security risk. |
 | Has global oil demand hit peak? BP says it's possibleGlobal oil demand might have already peaked and will likely not stop falling for the next 30 years, hit by virus fallout and moves towards greener energy, Britain's BP predicted Monday. |
 | NVIDIA out to be a giant in an AI ageUS graphics chip maker NVIDIA aims to be a powerhouse in an era of artificial intelligence with the big-ticket buy of Britain-based Arm, whose microprocessors are in many smartphones. |
 | Facebook anniversaries inspire reflection, nostalgia: studyPosted on Facebook, milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries prompt users to reflect on the passage of time and the patterns of their lives—and help the social media giant recycle content in order to boost engagement, according to new Cornell research. |
 | What to watch for at Apple's first major product launch event of 2020Apple Inc. will kick off a broad slate of new products at a virtual event on Tuesday, with upgrades to two of its most important hardware lines beyond the iPhone. |
 | Microsoft finds underwater datacenters are reliable, practical, and use energy sustainablyEarlier this summer, marine specialists reeled up a shipping-container-size datacenter coated in algae, barnacles and sea anemones from the seafloor off Scotland's Orkney Islands. |
 | Facebook out to recruit poll workers for US electionFacebook chief Mark Zuckerberg on Friday said the social network will launch a drive this weekend to recruit much-needed workers to staff US polling places in the coming election. |
 | Big airlines fight with smaller ones over airport rightsFederal regulators are proposing allowing airlines to hold on to their valuable takeoff and landing slots at several big U.S. airports, even if they are not fully using their rights due to lower traffic during the pandemic. |
 | Insider Q&A: T-Mobile pushes internet for virtual schoolT-Mobile is pushing to offer internet service to schools that are doing online learning with a program aimed at low-income students who don't have access. In the U.S., millions of students don't have high-speed internet or computers at home—a difficult enough situation when it was just about trying to get homework done, but a much bigger problem when many school districts have moved part or all of the school day online during the coronavirus pandemic. |
 | Dutch minister says survival of Air France-KLM 'not a given'The survival of the Air France-KLM group is not guaranteed if the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic continues, Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra warned Sunday. |
 | Heavily indebted Thai Airways gets court nod for restructuringA Thailand court on Monday approved the restructuring of Thai Airways, which is billions of dollars in debt and struggling to survive the coronavirus tourism crash. |
 | Arm: semiconductor giant powering world's smartphonesArm, the British semiconductor designer being sold by Japanese group Softbank to US chip company NVIDIA for up to $40 billion, is a technological power in smart phones worldwide. |
 | Delta latest airline to raise funds through loyalty programDelta Air Lines will use its frequent flyer program to back up $6.5 billion in funding as the pandemic continues to buffet air travel. |
 | European air travel nosedives as virus resurgesThe total number of passenger flights in Europe will plummet by more than expected this year as countries fail to coordinate policy on air travel during a pandemic, Eurocontrol said on Monday. |
 | Smart bug-checking for softwareComputers and software are more important than ever. In systems such as cars, airplanes and medical devices, it is critical to implement software without major flaws, or 'bugs.' Eindhoven University of Technology Ph.D. candidate Thomas Neele developed three techniques for smarter and faster bug checking, based on the model checking method. |
 | LA has a new COVID-19 contact tracing app, from a controversial sourceSince the COVID-19 pandemic first came to Los Angeles in the spring, the county Department of Public Health has hired nearly 2,600 people to do the manual work of contact tracing: asking people who test positive for the coronavirus to list everywhere they've been and everyone they've seen in recent days, then tracking down anyone they've encountered and testing them before they spread the virus further. |
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