Durham University

Want to appear more competent? Smile and tidy up that background the next time you're on a video call, says a team of UK researchers

Good Thinking

Study reveals which Zoom background items make you look more competent

Before you hop on your next Zoom call, you might want to tailor your background in a very particular way, says a new study. Doing so could make everyone else on the call perceive you as being more competent – whether or not you really are.

The four adjustable-height huts utilized in the study

Good Thinking

Raising huts may help reduce malaria-causing mosquito bites

There are already places where homes are built on stilts, to avoid seasonal floods. A new study, however, suggests that doing so may also significantly reduce the risk of being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitos.

That's as far as an angle grinder made it through this Proteus non-cuttable bar

Materials

Proteus becomes the world's first manufactured non-cuttable material

Researchers claim they've come up with the world's first manufactured non-cuttable material, just 15 percent the density of steel and impervious to drills or angle grinders. They say it could make for indestructible bike locks and lightweight armor.

Vast new sources of could keep helium-filled balloons a party staple

Energy

We may not be running out of helium after all

A team of scientists led by Diveena Danabalan of Durham University conducted a new study that indicates that there may be vast new sources of helium in the western mountain regions of North America.