German China
Copper mirrors direct and focus microwave photons in electrons on liquid helium system. The focusing mirror (on the left) is made by pressing a hard stainless steel ball (also shown in the picture) into a soft piece of copper. The flat mirror (on the right) shows two concentric circular electrodes (aka a Corbino pair) that are used to measure electron conductivity. (Olga Garnova / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Japan: Quantum Computing

How to Move Electrons with Light

Quantum computers employ a fleet of precisely controlled electrons to take on goliath computational tasks. Recently, researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (Oist) demonstrated how a form of light, called microwaves, cuts in on the movement of electrons. The findings may help improve quantum computing.

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Michael Margineanu (left),  Hanan Mamood (right) and colleagues have identified genes that may assist with developing novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.  (Helmy H. Alsagaff/ Kaust)
Saudi Arabia: Neuroscience

Study Sheds Light on the Effects of Lactate on Long-Term Memory

A genome-wide study examined how lactate regulates long-term memory formation and neuroprotection. Previous studies have shown that lactate stimulates the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in neuronal activity by signaling through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. This latest study reveals the extent to which lactate modifies gene expression in cortical neurons and also points to the mechanisms through which lactate modulates brain function.

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