Month: August 2023

High-fidelity mode scaling via topological-optimized on-chip metalens for compact photonic interconnection

sarah JonasResearch Results

Metalens plays an essential role in the optical interconnection of photonic integrated circuits. However, the traditional design method of metalens ignores the coupling between unit cell structures, resulting in errors between the actual and the ideal phase distribution. Scientists from China proposed an on-chip metalens design method based on topology optimization, with the optimized free-form metalens achieving efficient optical interconnections between waveguide devices with large width scaling ratios.

Fabry–Perot-based phase demodulation of heterodyne light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy

sarah JonasResearch Results

A Fabry-Perot (F-P) based phase demodulation of heterodyne light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy (H-LITES) is demonstrated. The vibration of quartz tuning fork (QTF) was detected by using F-P interferometer (FPI) to avoid the thermal noise. Given that FPI is vulnerable to disturbance, a phase demodulation method is employed in H-LITES. This new method of phase demodulation is structurally simple and was found to be resistant to interference from light sources and the surroundings using the LITES technique.

Rechargable revolution

sarah JonasResearch Results

The Empa spin-off BTRY wants to revolutionize rechargeable batteries: Their thin-film batteries are not only safer and longer-lasting than conventional lithium-ion batteries, they are also much more environmentally friendly to manufacture and can be charged and discharged in just one minute. For now, the battery is very small, but the founders have big plans for it.

Maintaining Stable Weight Increases Longevity Among Older Women

sarah JonasResearch Results

UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science researchers investigated the associations of weight changes later in life with exceptional longevity and found that women who maintained their body weight after age 60 were more likely to reach exceptional longevity.

An antiracist approach to intelligence research: Q&A with LaTasha Holden

sarah JonasFeature Expert

Traditional perceptions of intelligence may have created unfair limitations for students, especially those from historically marginalized communities. Beckman researcher and psychology professor LaTasha Holden believes that changing our fundamental understanding of what intelligence is can help develop antiracist practices and build a more equitable society.

Anesthesiologist, Emergency Physician and Radiologist Groups Laud Court Decision, Urge HHS Action to Unfreeze Arbitration Process

sarah JonasPolicy

In its fourth ruling regarding the flawed implementation of the No Surprises Act, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas agreed with the plaintiffs, the Texas Medical Association, that the government was incorrectly permitting insurers to use a faulty methodology when calculating their median in-network rate, also known as the qualifying payment amount (QPA). This TMA III ruling does not impact the patient protections included in the No Surprises Act that the American College of Radiology® (ACR®), (ACR), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) advocated for and continue to fully support, nor does it raise patient out-of-pocket costs.

The Signs of Dementia and What Can Be Done to Stave It Off

sarah JonasFeature

Brent Forester, the Dr. Frances S. Arkin Chair of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and psychiatrist-in-chief and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center, focuses his research on geriatric psychiatry and neurocognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, late-life depression, and older adult bipolar disorder.

Extreme environments expert discusses causes of recent wildfires

sarah JonasFeature Expert

Wildfires in Hawaii have devastated the island of Maui. Canada continues to experience its worst ever wildfire season, with more than 1,000 active fires. Brian Lattimer, Director of Virginia Tech’s Extreme Environments and Materials Lab, explains what the Maui and Canadian wildfires have in common.

Enter Sandman: Study shows dreams spill over into the workplace and can be channeled for productivity

sarah JonasResearch Results

Studies show that on any given morning, about 40 percent of the working population recalls its dreams. New research from Casher Belinda, assistant professor of management at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, shows that when dreams are first recalled, people often draw connections between their dreams and waking lives, and the connections they draw alter how they think, feel and act at work.

Transforming Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment with Cerium/Lanthanum-134

sarah JonasResearch Results

Actinium-targeted alpha radiotherapy is a promising approach for treating metastatic cancers, including prostate cancer. However, therapeutic substances labeled with actinium-225 have limits on how they can be imaged, a step that allows doctors to plan treatments. This study examined the performance of cerium/lanthanum-134 as a surrogate imaging material for Ac-225.

Researchers at UC Irvine issue a warning that GLP-1RA’s may be dangerous for children

sarah JonasResearch Results

A team of clinicians, exercise scientists, pharmaceutical scholars, ethicists, and behavioral experts at the University of California, Irvine, outlined their concerns that the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA’s) to treat childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes may have unintended and adverse consequences for children’s health.

Tax partner matters more than accounting firm when doing a business’ taxes

sarah JonasResearch Results

Accounting firms like to advertise the array of services they offer to save clients money on their taxes, but a new study from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business finds the firm and its services aren’t nearly as important as the tax partner leading the engagement team.

Professor receives grant to develop electronic devices made entirely of paper

sarah JonasAnnouncement

A professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York has received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop electronic devices made entirely of paper.

تنبيه من خبير: درجات الحرارة المتطرفة قد تزيد من خطر الإصابة بالسكتة الدماغية

sarah JonasFeature

تزيد درجات الحرارة المتصاعدة والرطوبة المرتفعة من زيادة خطر الإصابة بمشكلات متعلقة بالحرارة مثل الجفاف وضربة الحرارة. كما تزيد ظروف الطقس المتطرفة من خطر الإصابة بالسكتة الدماغية لدى بعض الأشخاص.

Two networks, two realities, one big problem

sarah JonasResearch Results

National news coverage from the two largest broadcast outlets, CNN and Fox News, not only reflects growing political polarization in America, but in a recent publication, researchers at Virginia Tech have shown that partisan and inflammatory broadcast coverage has increased over time and can exacerbate growing divides in the new public square of social media.