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Attention, conviction, motivation—cognitive states can be read on the face

Whether you are solving a puzzle, navigating a shopping center or writing an email, how well you do will not only depend on the task at hand but also on your internal cognitive state. In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute in Frankfurt have now shown that such cognitive states can be identified from facial expressions—and can even be used to accurately predict how quickly and successfully a task will be solved.

What’s more, this works across species—more specifically, macaques and mice. In both species, facial expressions not only express emotional states, but also latent cognitive processes in a measurable way.

Ultralow loss optical microresonators pave way for miniaturized, tunable photonic systems

Aston University researchers have developed a new class of optical microresonators, miniature optical devices that strongly confine and enhance light in microscopic dimensions. They are essential components in a wide range of systems, including ultra-precise optical sensors and information processors.

The University researchers discovered that unique optical microresonators can be introduced at the intersection of two optical fibers. These devices have potential applications in communication, computing, sensing and more.

The new ultralow loss optical microresonators can be finely tuned by simply rotating two intersecting optical fibers. Unlike current monolithic microresonators, these devices have a widely tunable free spectral range (FSR) and allow for their .

Adaptive MoS₂-based interface boosts ion sensing stability and accuracy

A research team led by Professor Huang Xingjiu at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a highly stable adaptive integrated interface for ion sensing. The study was published as an inside front cover article in Advanced Materials.

All-solid-state ion-selective electrode serves as a fundamental component in the ion sensing of intelligent biological and . While the researchers had previously developed several transducer materials with a sandwich-type interface to detect common ions, the performance of such sensors was often limited by interface material and structure.

To overcome these challenges, the team introduced a novel interface using lipophilic molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) regulated by cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA⁺). This structure enables spatiotemporal adaptive integration—assembling single-piece sensing layers atop efficient transduction layers.

Permanent magnet configurations outperform classical arrangement to deliver strong and homogeneous fields

Physicists Prof. Dr. Ingo Rehberg from the University of Bayreuth and Dr. Peter Blümler from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed and experimentally validated an innovative approach for generating homogeneous magnetic fields using permanent magnets.

Their method outperforms the classical Halbach arrangement—which is optimal only for infinitely long and therefore unrealizable magnets—by producing higher field strengths and improved homogeneity in compact, finite-sized configurations.

The study was published in Physical Review Applied, which shows significant advances in the applied sciences at the intersection of physics with engineering, materials science, chemistry, biology, and medicine.

Multicore fiber testbed demonstrates precise optical clock signal transmission over 25 km

Researchers have shown, for the first time, that transmission of ultrastable optical signals from optical clocks across tens of kilometers of deployed multicore fiber is compatible with simultaneous transmission of telecommunications data.

The achievement demonstrates that these emerging high-capacity fiber optic networks could be used to connect optical clocks at various locations, enabling new scientific applications.

As global data demands continue to surge, multicore fiber is being installed to help overcome the limits of existing networks. These fibers pack multiple light-guiding cores into a single strand, greatly increasing capacity for applications like streaming, finance and artificial intelligence.

Highly charged muonic ions observed in gas-phase experiment for first time

An international team of researchers, including members from the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), has directly observed “highly charged muonic ions,” a completely new class of exotic atomic systems, in a gas-phase experiment for the first time. The study was published online on June 16 in Physical Review Letters.

The observation highlights the capabilities of advanced superconducting transition-edge-sensor (TES) microcalorimeters in revealing previously inaccessible atomic phenomena.

Normal atoms consist of a nucleus and bound electrons and are electrically neutral. However, when many electrons are removed, the atom becomes highly charged. These charged atoms, known as highly charged ions, are valuable tools for research across various fields, including fundamental physics, nuclear fusion, surface science, and astronomy.

MIT’s Optical AI Chip That Could Revolutionize 6G at the Speed of Light

As more connected devices require greater bandwidth for activities like teleworking and cloud computing, managing the limited wireless spectrum shared by all users is becoming increasingly difficult.

To address this, engineers are turning to artificial intelligence.

Astronomers Discover Rogue Black Hole Devouring Star in the Unlikeliest of Places

UC Berkeley astronomers found a hidden black hole roaming far from the galaxy’s core. It may eventually merge with the central black hole and release gravitational waves. Astronomers have identified nearly 100 cases of massive black holes feasting on stars, almost all located in the dense centers