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Physicists at the University of Cologne have taken an important step forward in the pursuit of topological quantum computing by demonstrating the first-ever observation of Crossed Andreev Reflection (CAR) in topological insulator (TI) nanowires.

This finding, published under the title “Long-range crossed Andreev reflection in topological insulator nanowires proximitized by a superconductor” in Nature Physics, deepens our understanding of superconducting effects in these materials, which is essential for realizing robust quantum bits (qubits) based on Majorana zero-modes in the TI platform—a major goal of the Cluster of Excellence Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q).

Quantum computing promises to revolutionize information processing, but current qubit technologies struggle with maintaining stability and error correction. One of the most promising approaches to overcoming these limitations is the use of topological superconductors, which can host special quantum states called Majorana zero-modes.

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Researchers from RMIT University and the University of Melbourne have discovered that water generates an electrical charge up to 10 times greater than previously understood when it moves across a surface.

The team, led by Dr. Joe Berry, Dr. Peter Sherrell and Professor Amanda Ellis observed that when a water droplet became stuck on a tiny bump or rough spot, the force built up until it “jumped or slipped” past an obstacle, creating an irreversible charge that had not been reported before.

The new understanding of this “stick-slip” motion of water over a surface paves the way for surface design with controlled electrification, with potential applications ranging from improving safety in fuel-holding systems to boosting energy storage and charging rates.

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Once described by Einstein as “spooky action at a distance,” quantum entanglement may now seem less intimidating in light of new research findings.

Osaka Metropolitan University physicists have developed new, simpler formulas to quantify quantum entanglement in strongly correlated electron systems and applied them to study several . Their results offer fresh perspectives into quantum behaviors in materials with different physical characteristics, contributing to advances in .

The study is published in Physical Review B.

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A team of international scientists co-led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have discovered a way to manipulate water waves, allowing them to trap and precisely move floating objects—almost as if an invisible force were guiding them.

The method involves generating and merging to create complex surface patterns, such as twisting loops and swirling vortices.

Laboratory experiments showed that these patterns can pull in nearby floating objects, like small foam balls the size of rice grains, and trap them within the patterns.

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Scientists are revolutionizing optical communication with a cutting-edge semantic transmission system that vastly improves efficiency and robustness.

By leveraging multimode fiber (MMF), this approach encodes information in frequencies rather than raw data, achieving a seven-fold boost in capacity over traditional methods. Not only does this technology enhance data transmission, but it also proves remarkably effective in sentiment analysis, allowing accurate interpretation even in noisy environments.

The challenge of increasing communication demand.

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Scientists have discovered that water moving over surfaces generates significantly more electrical charge than previously believed, particularly when it sticks and then slips past tiny obstacles.

This newfound knowledge could revolutionize surface design for safer fuel storage, better energy storage, and even faster charging technologies.

Water generates more electricity than expected.

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The race between Jupiter and Saturn for the most moons in the Solar System may have just finally come screeching to a halt.

A team of scientists has found a whopping 128 previously unknown moons hanging around Saturn, in a discovery officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union. This brings the planet’s total number of known moons to 274, leaving Jupiter, with its mere 95 moons, in the dust.

The first hint that there were more moons awaiting discovery came between 2019 and 2021, when 62 such objects were identified. Other small objects were also spotted at the time that couldn’t yet be designated.

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Can you pass me the whatchamacallit? It’s right over there next to the thingamajig.

Many of us will experience “lethologica”, or difficulty finding words, in everyday life. And it usually becomes more prominent with age.

Frequent difficulty finding the right word can signal changes in the brain consistent with the early (“preclinical”) stages of Alzheimer’s disease – before more obvious symptoms emerge.

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