While most organizations address cybersecurity issues with technology and surveillance, a new study from the University of Vaasa, Finland, argues that empathy may be a more effective defence. Emmanuel Anti's doctoral research explores insider deviance, and how understanding the human elements related to it can lead to stronger, more sustainable cybersecurity practices. His dissertation proposes an empathetic security model grounded in design thinking, encouraging organisations to co-create cybersecurity policies with employees, focusing on understanding their needs, motivations and emotional well-being.

Researchers have discovered that ferroelectric fluids can harness an overlooked transverse electrostatic force (TEF) to rise over 80 mm, without magnets or high voltages. By exploiting the fluid’s spontaneous polarization and exceptionally high dielectric constant, they achieved a strong TEF, previously thought unattainable in conventional electrostatics. This breakthrough enables creation of a lightweight, magnet-free motor, opening possibilities for compact, energy-efficient actuators and suggesting a transformative approach to converting electrical energy into mechanical motion at low voltages.

Perovskites are promising materials for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM). Recently, a team of researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan, has designed Ca-modified BaTiO₃ as a promising catalyst for this reaction. Ca forms unique reduced structural motifs on the surface of BaTiO₃, facilitating the generation of reactive oxygen species and promoting methane activation. This technology can guide the development of new catalysts for OCM and other organic reactions.

While artificial intelligence (AI) is designed to enhance the quality of our lives, there is an increase in AI-mediated harm. Since AI systems operate semi-autonomously, neither their developers nor users typically intend or foresee such harm. Thus, it seems absurd to hold AI systems and stakeholders responsible, giving rise to a responsibility gap. To address this gap, researchers have now developed new notions of responsibility tailored to cover unintended and unforeseen consequences caused by AI.

A study by the University of Stuttgart, the California State University at Fullerton, and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems has found that there are benefits to representing one’s real-life disability through an avatar in virtual reality. The Metaverse is not just a technical platform, but also one for social interaction. Therefore, all users should be included in its development, including people with disabilities. The researchers appeal to companies to be more courageous in embracing diversity in virtual spaces as authentic self-representation allows people with disabilities to identify more strongly with their work.

Researchers have developed a novel Nickel-Cobalt bimetallic nanocomposite material. Its built-in dual electric field significantly enhances electromagnetic energy dissipation, achieving ultra-wideband absorption.