Phys.org, Author at Spotlight Magazine

‘Rage bait’ is the Oxford Word of the Year, showing how social media is manufacturing anger

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Oxford Dictionary has named “rage bait” its Word of the Year. The quantity of live-streamed drama in 2025 has made it clear that outrage is now fueling […]

New industry standards and tech advances make pre-owned electronics a viable holiday gift option

Electronic gifts are very popular, and in recent years, retailers have been offering significant discounts on smartphones, e-readers and other electronics labeled as “pre-owned.” Research I have co-led finds that these pre-owned options are becoming […]

Australia’s social media ban won’t stop cyberbullying

The Australian Federal government’s Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, commonly referred to as the “social media ban,” is now in effect.This post was originally published on this site

Carbon nanotubes could power a new generation of flexible solar panels

Perovskite solar cells can be made not only more robust but also more efficient, scalable and cheaper to manufacture by replacing the indium tin oxide (ITO) in the device, according to research led by the […]

Tumbleweed aerodynamics inspire hybrid robots for harsh terrains

A new study published in Nature Communications details a hybrid robot that combines the wind-driven mobility of tumbleweeds with active quadcopter control, offering a new paradigm for energy-efficient terrestrial exploration.This post was originally published on […]

Gen Z views world as ‘scary place’ with growing cynicism about ability to create change, research suggests

Gen Z views the world as a scary place, according to new research presented at the 2025 Society for Risk Analysis Conference.This post was originally published on this site

Refining the solitary confinement reform debate

A multi-institution research team has conducted a multi-year study to better understand how extended and repeated stays in solitary confinement impact prisoners both physically and psychologically.This post was originally published on this site

How ‘everyday AI’ encourages overconsumption

From automatically generated overviews to chatbots in spreadsheets, so-called artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into our watches, phones, home assistants and other smart devices.This post was originally published on this site

The metaverse is ushering in a new era of behind-the-scenes exploitation

From ancient slavery to the factory floor, progress has often relied on the exploitation of human beings. We might like to believe those days are well behind us. But in the digital age, AI and […]

Trust in science is low among minorities for a reason, research finds

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a nationwide conversation in the U.S. about how much people trust scientists and trained medical professionals. But for some communities, distrust has been the norm.This post was originally published on this […]