More than half of the world’s population speaks more than one language—but there is no consistent method for defining “bilingual” or “multilingual.” This makes it difficult to accurately assess proficiency across multiple languages and to describe language backgrounds accurately. A team of New York University researchers has now created a calculator that scores multilingualism, allowing users to see how multilingual they actually are and which language is their dominant one. 

MIT theoretical physicists may have an explanation for the surprising observation that superconductivity and magnetism can co-exist in some materials. They propose that under certain conditions, a magnetic material’s electrons could splinter into quasiparticles known as “anyons,” some of which could flow together without friction — an entirely new form of superconductivity.

New system successfully transforms simple carbon molecules into acetyl-CoA. A building block of life, acetyl-CoA can be used to make a variety of materials. To build the system, scientists screened 66 enzymes and 3,000 enzyme variants. Enzyme screening and system use molecular machinery outside of living cells.

In a new study, researchers have explored the mechanisms of phage resistance and its effects on the ecological jobs done by ocean bacteria. The team found that some of the mutations studied don’t interfere with – and may even enhance – the bacteria’s ability to carry out their job of capturing and sinking carbon to the ocean floor, thanks to giving the cells a “sticky” quality.