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Optimists are alike, every pessimist has their own way

When thinking about future events, optimists’ brains work similarly, while pessimists’ brains show a much larger degree of individuality. The Kobe University finding offers an explanation why optimists are seen as more sociable—they may share a common vision of the future.

Optimists tend to be more satisfied with their and have wider social networks. Kobe University psychologist Yanagisawa Kuniaki says, “But what is the reason for this? Recent studies showed that the brains of people who occupy central social positions react to stimuli in similar ways. So it may be that people who share a similar attitude toward the future, too, truly envision it similarly in their brains and that this makes it easier for them to understand each other’s perspectives.”

To test this hypothesis, Yanagisawa assembled an interdisciplinary team from both the fields of social psychology and cognitive neuroscience. “The main reason why this question has remained untouched until now is that it exists in a gap between social psychology and neuroscience. However, the intersection of these two fields enabled us to open this black box.”

Hollow molecules selectively extract cyclohexane for greener hydrocarbon separation

Hollow, pumpkin-shaped molecules can efficiently separate valuable hydrocarbons from crude oil, KAUST researchers have shown. These “molecular sieves,” known as cucurbiturils, could enable a more sustainable approach to producing raw materials for the chemicals industry.

Physicists discover aluminum-20, a new three-proton-emitting isotope

Radioactive decay is a fundamental process in nature by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. Studying nuclear decay modes is crucial for understanding properties of atomic nuclei. In particular, exotic decay modes like proton emission provide essential spectroscopic tools for probing the structure of nuclei far from the valley of stability—the region containing stable nuclei on the nuclear chart.

Alternative formations can reduce aerodynamic drag of protected rider up to 76%, performance study shows

Professional cycling teams can reduce air drag for their protected rider by up to 76% by adopting specific formations different from the traditional single paceline, according to new research from Heriot-Watt University in partnership with the simulation software company, Ansys, part of Synopsys.

Despite the seemingly individual aspect of competitive cycling, it’s very much a team sport. In the Tour de France, each of the 23 teams has eight cyclists who all play a crucial part in the overall success of the team.

When a team leader is involved in a crash or a flat tire and he drops from the peloton or leading group in the race, his teammates will have the task to bring this protected back into the peloton or leading group, where riders closely follow one another to reduce air resistance. In doing so, the teammates will try to shield their protected rider from the wind thereby allowing him to save energy resources, at the expense of investing their own .

“Shocking” — 27 Million Tons of Nanoplastics Discovered in the North Atlantic

Tiny plastic particles fill the Atlantic in staggering amounts. Their effects are only beginning to be understood. A major new study by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Utrecht University has revealed that approximately 27 million tons of plastic, in the form of ultra-f

Are We Misreading the Universe? New Method Could Unveil Secrets of Colliding Black Holes

Scientists have developed a more precise method for analyzing gravitational waves, offering a sharper view into the Universe’s most violent and mysterious collisions. A newly developed technique for analyzing gravitational-wave data could significantly enhance how scientists investigate some of t