Array of low-power light-emitting diodes. Failure of a single LED does not affect the overall system. (Photo: KIT)

Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a novel type of LED street light of increased efficiency. Compared to conventional LEDs, power consumption may be reduced by up to 20%. This will also decrease costs and CO2 emission. Conventional high-power diodes are replaced by a special array of LEDs. This enhances efficiency, increases service life and safety, and produces a better light.

Parallel connection of a large number of LEDs is difficult, as failure of a single diode will cause failure of the overall system or section...

This is AR Scorpii, the first discovered white dwarf pulsar. Credit: Mark Garlick/University of Warwick

An exotic binary star system 380 light-years away has been identified as an elusive white dwarf pulsar – the first of its kind ever to be discovered in the universe – thanks to research by the University of Warwick. Professors Tom Marsh and Boris Gänsicke (University of Warwick’s Astrophysics Group), with Dr David Buckley (South African Astronomical Observatory), have identified the star AR Scorpii (AR Sco) as the first white dwarf version of a pulsar – objects found in the 1960s and associated with very different objects called neutron stars.

The white dwarf pulsar has eluded astronomers for over half a century...

Image of a ON Delayed retinal ganglion cell colored by its depth in the retina. Arrowheads point out the unique “recursive” morphology of the dendrites that snake up and down.

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a cell in the retina that may cause myopia when it dysfunctions. The dysfunction may be linked to the amount of time a child spends indoors and away from natural light. “This discovery could lead to a new therapeutic target to control myopia,” said Greg Schwartz, lead investigator and assistant professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine...