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42 articles from PhysOrg

Breakthrough reported in machine learning-enhanced quantum chemistry

In a new study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have proposed incorporating more of the mathematics of quantum mechanics into the structure of the machine learning predictions. Using the specific positions of atoms within a molecule, the machine learning model predicts an effective Hamiltonian matrix, which describes the...

Study quantifies impact of human activity on Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity

The countless benefits of native forests include the capacity of tree biomass to store large amounts of carbon, which can counterbalance greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. A paper published in the journal Science Advances reports on an innovative analysis of a large dataset designed to clarify the concept of carbon sequestration, a strategic issue in the discussion of global climate...

Millions of farmers put their faith in God when making decisions

A widespread belief among millions of smallholder farmers in one of the world's poorest countries is that God determines their yields. This is shown by a study from the University of Copenhagen that has examined the correlation between religiosity and economic decisions. The finding can contribute to an understanding of the mechanisms behind unproductive agriculture in developing countries—one...

Recruiting male allies boosts women at work

When women and men raise their voices together in the workplace, managers are more likely to support gender equity issues, such as equal pay for equal work. That's the finding of a new paper from a researcher at The University of Texas at Austin.

High-performance 937-nm laser lets scientists see deeper with lower power

Two-photon microscopy (2PM) plays a reliably efficient role in noninvasive deep-tissue imaging in biomedical investigation. Since the invention of the two-photon microscope at the end of the 20th century, there has been a steady flow of related research advancing 2PM—from fluorophores to imaging methods and applications—in the fields of biochemistry and medicine.

Building better quantum sensors

Usually, a defect in a diamond is a bad thing. But for engineers, miniscule blips in a diamond's otherwise stiff crystal structure are paving the way for ultrasensitive quantum sensors that push the limits of today's technologies. Now, researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have developed a method to optimize these quantum sensors, which can...

Scientists have created a mathematical model for the dynamics of nanoparticles and viruses in cells

Physicists and mathematicians from the Ural Federal University (UrFU) have created a complex mathematical model that calculates the distribution of nanoparticles (in particular, viruses) in living cells. The mathematical model helps with finding how the nanoparticles cluster (merge into a single particle) inside cells, namely in cellular endosomes, which are responsible for sorting and...

Study outlines steps to reduce 'cybervetting' bias in hiring

A new paper on cybervetting says that organizations need to develop and implement clearly defined rules regarding how they use online information about job candidates. Failing to better regulate their use of cybervetting can introduce bias into an organization's hiring processes, invade the privacy of job seekers and ultimately hurt the organization's bottom line.

Crops grown together cooperate better in just two generations

Growing multiple food crops together is a more sustainable farming practice mimicking highly productive wild plant communities. This process, known as intercropping, takes advantage of complementary features of different types of crops to maximize production and minimize the need for fertilizers and other environmentally harmful practices. For example, indigenous people in North America have long...

Researchers upgrade international nomenclature of landslide geometry

A common nomenclature of landslide geometry is the basis for describing and understanding landslides. A landslide is defined as the movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope—a phenomenon in three-dimensions (3D) space. However, landslide geometry is currently defined in 2D space and does not effectively reveal the movement characteristics of landslides. Traditional nomenclature defines...