Nationally, men in colleges and universities currently outpace women in earning degrees in physics, engineering, and computer science (PECS) by an approximate ratio of 4 to 1. To better understand the factors driving these gaps, NYU researchers analyzed bachelor’s degrees awarded in the US from 2002-2022, and found that the most selective universities by math SAT scores have nearly closed the PECS gender gap while less selective universities have seen it widen dramatically.

The European Research Council (ERC) is funding the ATHENS research project headed by professors Christian Koos and Stefan Bräse of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with a Synergy Grant. The project’s objective is to improve the performance and energy efficiency of optical communications systems. Given growing demand for the transmission of large volumes of data by artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such improvements are especially relevant. The ERC is funding ATHENS for six years with EUR 14 million. One location where work on the project will be performed is the Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP), which is set to open in 2025.

Entangled quantum bits per second (ebps) indicates a quantum network’s throughput. In this study, researchers collected ebps measurements over a suite of fiber connections on a quantum network testbed. They then compared these measurements with capacity estimates for a conventional fiber-optic network at a range of distances. The study finds that ebps throughput decays sharply with distance in ways that differ from conventional networks.

A team from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has introduced a new method for megapixel-scale fluorescence microscopy through complex scattering media. This approach resolves high-resolution images from several tens of widefield fluorescence-microscope frames without requiring specialized equipment such as spatial-light modulators or intensive computational processing. By efficiently correcting distortions caused by light scattering, the technique allows for clear imaging of dense and challenging targets. Its compatibility with conventional microscopy setups, coupled with the use of established matrix-based techniques, makes it practical for widespread use.

Research by Lixian Guo at the University of Canterbury may make it possible to keep electronic devices powered with another piece of equipment you’re likely to bring with you while exploring the great outdoors: camping stoves. Guo’s work focuses on using the excess heat produced by stoves to create a thermoacoustic engine, which converts thermal energy into acoustic energy. This acoustic energy can then be transformed into mechanical or electrical energy. When optimized, these engines can generate power ranging from tens to thousands of watts, depending on their size.

Traditional police training lacks practical tools for handling mental health crises, leaving officers underprepared. New research provides a promising avenue for addressing this gap using VR training by immersing officers in realistic scenarios. Results show moderate to high engagement in the VR environment, which enhances empathy and highlights its potential as a complement to traditional training. Improving immersion, engagement, and VR familiarity can enhance emotional connections, making well-designed simulations more effective for fostering empathy and sympathy.