World’s smallest guitar plucked

Physicists at Cornell University report that using a laser beam they have plucked the strings of the world’s smallest silicon guitar, just 10 millionths of a metre long. The high-pitched sound of the guitar vibrated at 40 million cycles per second, 17 octaves above what human ears can hear. The same researchers have contructed a nanodrum and a nanoxylophone. If nanomanufacturing becomes of use, something as small as a nanoguitar might be mass-produced for use as sensitive detectors for ultra-high frequency waves.

-Wendy Gu
Source: New York Times

Slacking off at work good for you

Researchers at the University of Utrecht have studied the effects of playing games at work. One would expect game playing to distract workers and waste time. But contrary to popular beliefs, playing games at work might help to increase personal productivity and make workers feel better about their tasks. Standard Windows games like Solitaire and Minesweeper give the brains of the workers a break from complex duties. The researchers stress the findings are preliminary and further tests are planned to investigate the effect of strategic or role-playing games. It is expected that different games would improve different cognitive tasks.

-WG
Source: BBC NEWS

Chronic just the tonic

The first large-scale study on the medical benefits of smoking marijuana for people suffering from multiple sclerosis confirms that the plant can soothe symptoms. The study was conducted in Britain using a placebo and pill-form drugs, either a direct cannabis extract or a synthetic form of THC, called Marinol. People taking the cannabinoids found that they had relieved muscle stiffness and could walk easier. There was almost no difference between the cannabis extract and the THC pills. Multiple sclerosis affects about 2.5 million people worldwide, causing spasms, intense physical pain, tremors and bladder problems. Marinol is licensed for treating people with HIV but not for MS, and researchers intend to push for the drug’s approval for MS.

-Zoe Cormier
Source: Nature

Soccer affects the stock market

Economists have found that the British stock market varies according to how England’s soccer team is playing. The market tended to rise following wins and fall after loses. Moreover, the stock market gains and losses varied with how important the game was. Following a regular match in the world cup, the market might rise or fall by about 0.4 per cent. But the day after Germany put England out of the 1990 World Cup on penalties, the stock market fell by a full per cent. Economists reason that when England is on a winning spree, people are more likely to keep drinking, partying, and buying sports memorabilia, significantly affecting the market. Moreover, trader’s buying patterns are known to be affected by their moods (the market tends to fall on Monday mornings but rise on Friday afternoons), which could also explain the findings.

-ZC
Source: Nature