A weak physical force, like that which allows spiders to walk on a ceiling, could hold the key to a new revolution in optical communications, thanks to a discovery by University of Melbourne researchers and their collaborators at Hanyang University in South Korea.

Physicists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a breakthrough concept in quantum encryption that makes private communication more secure over significantly longer distances, surpassing state-of-the-art technologies. For decades, experts believed such a technology upgrade required perfect optical hardware, namely, light sources that strictly emit one light particle (photon) at a time—something extremely difficult and expensive to build. But the new approach uses innovative encryption protocols applied to tiny, engineered materials called quantum dots to send encrypted information securely, even with imperfect light sources. Real-world tests show it can outperform even the best of current systems, potentially bringing quantum-safe communication closer to everyday use.

Researchers from Kumamoto University have identified a distinctive CT imaging pattern that can predict which women experiencing severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) are most likely to need life-saving interventions. The new finding, termed PRACE (Postpartum hemorrhage, Resistance to treatment, and Arterial Contrast Extravasation), was observed in nearly one-third of patients undergoing dynamic CT scans and was strongly associated with the need for emergency procedures such as uterine artery embolization.