Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) have made a surprising discovery: during fetal development, a particular immune cell seems to play a key role in determining the male or female characteristics of the brain. Continue reading “Unexpected link between immune cells and male-female differences”
Neuroscience: How music meets mind
Whether tapping a foot to samba or weeping at a ballad, the human response to music seems almost instinctual. Yet few can articulate how music works. How do strings of sounds trigger emotion, inspire ideas, even define identities? Continue reading “Neuroscience: How music meets mind”
Infants can distinguish between leaders and bullies, study finds
A new study finds that 21-month-old infants can distinguish between respect-based power asserted by a leader and fear-based power wielded by a bully. Continue reading “Infants can distinguish between leaders and bullies, study finds”
Scientists pioneer a new way to turn sunlight into fuel
The quest to find new ways to harness solar power has taken a step forward after researchers successfully split water into hydrogen and oxygen by altering the photosynthetic machinery in plants. Continue reading “Scientists pioneer a new way to turn sunlight into fuel”
Terahertz spectroscopy enters the single-molecule regime
The interaction of light with matter is the basis of spectroscopy, a set of techniques lying at the heart of physics and chemistry. From infrared light to X-rays, a broad sweep of wavelengths is used to stimulate vibrations, electron transitions, and other processes, thus probing the world of atoms and molecules. Continue reading “Terahertz spectroscopy enters the single-molecule regime”
Superradiance: Quantum effect detected in tiny diamonds
The effect has been predicted theoretically decades ago — but it is very hard to provide experimental evidence for it: “Superradiance” is the phenomenon of one atom giving off energy in the form of light and causing a large number of other atoms in its immediate vicinity to emit energy as well at the same time. This creates a short, intense flash of light. Continue reading “Superradiance: Quantum effect detected in tiny diamonds”
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