One of the lesser-known apps in the Google Drive online suite is Google Forms. It’s an easy, intuitive way to create a web form for other people to enter information into. You can use it for employee surveys, for organizing social gatherings, for giving people a way to contact you, and much more. But Google Forms can also be used for malicious purposes.

These forms can be created in minutes, with clean and clear formatting, official-looking images and video, and—most importantly of all—a genuine Google Docs URL that your web browser will see no problem with. Scammers can then use these authentic-looking forms to ask for payment details or login information.

It’s a type of scam that continues to spread, with Google itself issuing a warning about the issue in February. Students and staff at Stanford University were among those targeted with a Google Forms link that asked for login details for the academic portal there, and the attack beat standard email malware protection.

How the Scam Works

These scams can take a variety of guises, but they’ll typically start with a phishing email that will try to trick you into believing it’s an official and genuine communication. It might be designed to look like it’s from a colleague, an administrator, or someone from a reputable organization.

The apparent quality and trustworthiness of this original phishing email is part of the con. Our inboxes are regularly filled with requests to reset passwords, verify details, or otherwise take action. Like many scams, the email might suggest a sense or urgency, or indicate that your security has been compromised in some way.

Even worse, the instigating email might actually come from a legitimate email address, if someone in your social circle, family, or office has had their account hijacked. In this case you wouldn’t be able to run the usual checks on the sender identity and email address, because everything would look genuine—though the wording and style would be off.

This email (or perhaps a direct message on social media) will be used to deliver a Google Forms link, which is the second half of the scam. This form will most often be set up to look genuine, and may be trying to spoof a recognized site like your place of work or your bank. The form might prompt you for sensitive information, offer up a link to malware, or feature a phone number or email address to lead you into further trouble.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems has increased the demand for new hardware components that could speed up data analysis while consuming less power. As machine learning algorithms draw inspiration from biological neural networks, some engineers have been working on hardware that also mimics the architecture and functioning of the human brain.

Brain-inspired, or neuromorphic, hardware typically integrates components that mimic the functioning of brain cells, which are thus referred to as artificial neurons. Artificial neurons are connected to one another, with their connections weakening or strengthening over time.

This process resembles synaptic plasticity, the ability of the brain to adapt over time in response to experience and learning. By emulating synaptic plasticity, neuromorphic computing systems could run machine learning algorithms more efficiently, consuming less energy when analyzing large amounts of data and making predictions.

Researchers at Fudan University have recently developed a device based on the ultrathin semiconductor monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) that could emulate the adaptability of biological neurons better than other artificial neurons introduced in the past. The new system, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, combines a type of computer memory known as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) with MoS₂-based circuits.

“Neuromorphic hardware that accurately simulates diverse neuronal behaviors could be of use in the development of edge intelligence,” Yin Wang, Saifei Gou and their colleagues wrote in their paper.

“Hardware that incorporates synaptic plasticity—adaptive changes that strengthen or weaken synaptic connections—has been explored, but mimicking the full spectrum of learning and memory processes requires the interplay of multiple plasticity mechanisms, including intrinsic plasticity. We show that an integrate-and-fire neuron can be created by combining a dynamic random-access memory and an inverter that are based on wafer-scale monolayer molybdenum disulfide films.”

The artificial neuron developed by the researchers has two key components: a DRAM system and an inverter circuit. DRAMs are memory systems that can store electrical charges in structures known as capacitors. The amount of electrical charge in the capacitors can be modulated to mimic variations in the electrical charge across the membrane of biological neurons, which ultimately determine whether they will fire or not.

An inverter, on the other hand, is an electronic circuit that can flip an input signal from high voltage to low voltage or vice versa. In the team’s artificial neuron, this circuit enables the generation of bursts of electricity resembling those observed in biological neurons when they fire.

“In the system, the voltage in the dynamic random-access memory capacitor—that is, the neuronal membrane potential—can be modulated to emulate intrinsic plasticity,” wrote the authors. “The module can also emulate the photopic and scotopic adaptation of the human visual system by dynamically adjusting its light sensitivity.”

To assess the potential of the artificial neuron they created, the researchers fabricated a few and assembled them into a 3 × 3 grid. They then tested the ability of this 3×3 neuron array to adapt its responses to inputs based on changes in light, mimicking how the human visual system adapts in different lighting conditions. Finally, they used their system to run a model for image recognition and assessed its performance.

“We fabricate a 3 × 3 photoreceptor neuron array and demonstrate light coding and visual adaptation,” wrote the authors. “We also use the neuron module to simulate a bioinspired neural network model for image recognition.”

The artificial neuron developed by Wang, Gou and their colleagues has proved to be very promising so far, particularly for the energy-efficient implementation of computer vision and image recognition models. In the future, the researchers could fabricate other bio-inspired computing systems based on the newly developed device and test their performance on other computational tasks.

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When it’s time to wind down, even a thin beam of streetlight coming through the curtains or the glow of a phone charger can keep your brain from fully switching off. A well-made sleep mask that blocks the light can help you drift off faster and stay asleep even through sunrise.

So forget those flimsy airline eye covers. Sleep masks have come a long way, and the market is filled with a myriad of options designed to help you fall asleep and maintain a good night’s rest. From luxurious silk masks to high-tech sleeping goggles, there’s a sleep mask for every need. Below, we break down what to look for in a sleep mask, the benefits each type offers, and how to get the most out of one so you can sleep like you mean it.

Don’t know where to start when it comes to purchasing a sleep mask for your needs? We’re here to break down all the things you should consider.

For better sleep all around, check out our guide to the Best Sleep Masks, as well as other sleep-related guides, including Best Mattresses, Best Sheets, Best Pillows, and Best Organic Mattresses.

Sleep Mask Benefits

Sleep masks do more than just block out light. Whether you’re jet-lagged, catching up after a night shift, or simply looking to improve your nightly routine, the benefits of a sleep mask can be long-lasting after a good night’s rest.

Light is the most powerful cue for your circadian rhythm. It essentially tells your brain what time it is. Even the tiniest bit of light exposure can suppress melatonin and delay sleep.

“Most research has been conducted in hospitals due to the noise and lights,” says sleep physician Lourdes DelRosso. “Providing sleep masks and earplugs to hospitalized patients has been studied and published, showing that patients experience deeper and more restful sleep. Just by covering their eyes, we can promote better production of melatonin and send better signals to our brain.” Wearing sleep masks at night can also aid cognitive function, including memory, alertness, and episodic learning, according to a study from the Sleep Research Society.

Wearing sleep masks at night can also aid cognitive function, including memory, alertness, and episodic learning, according to a study from the Sleep Research Society.

And it’s not just the blackout effect of sleep masks that gives users a well-rested night. Sleep masks are a healthy sleep association, providing a relaxing and comforting experience that can help you wind down at night.

“We have touch receptors everywhere on our skin, including around the eyes,” certified sleep expert Annika Carroll says. “If we apply a little bit of light pressure there with this mask, it releases a hormone called oxytocin, often referred to as the love hormone. It promotes relaxation and comfort.”

If you’re prone to migraines, eye masks can be a simple and powerful ally. Light pressure around the eyes can help ease tension and increase blood flow, while total darkness helps reduce light sensitivity, a common migraine trigger.

Friction breaks down the skin’s elastin and collagen, the proteins that keep your face firm and smooth. Wearing an eye mask while you sleep protects the delicate skin around your eyes from rubbing against bedding or your arm, especially if you tend to toss and turn.

We all know the signs of a rough night of sleep: puffy eyes and dark circles. A sleep mask can help tip the odds by boosting circulation in your face, and weighted eye masks can help break up the excess fluid around the eyes that leads to puffiness.

What Shape and Fit Should I Consider?

Sleep mask fits aren’t universal, Carroll says: “I find that there’s a bit of trial and error in finding a mask that fits your face shape. There are rounder faces, and there are slimmer, longer faces.” Be sure to try on a new sleep mask before giving it a whirl; the mask should press gently against your face without feeling too tight, and there should be no gaps between the mask and your skin, especially around the nose. Additionally, several sleep mask characteristics may affect how well it fits on your face.

Flat sleep masks are the most traditional type you’ll see—a flat piece of fabric that covers the eyes. These types are generally lighter and more compact, making them easy to travel with. Comfort may be a factor here, since flat masks tend to press against the eyes, which some may find bothersome.

A common problem with traditional slip-on sleep masks is the bridge of the nose lifting the mask, allowing light to seep in and defeating the purpose of wearing it. Many sleep masks today are designed with a contoured nose or without fabric around the nose to prevent any light from penetrating.

Some eye masks are built like swim goggles: They feature two convex gaps that allow you to fully open and close your eyes beneath the mask without letting any light in. Eye cups are especially beneficial for people with sensitive eyes and for people who wear eyelash extensions.

Too loose, and the mask will fall off throughout the night. Too tight, and it could uncomfortably press against your eyes or snag your hair while you’re sleeping. Luckily, many sleep masks come with an adjustable strap so you can customize the fit.

When shopping for a sleep mask, examine the product to locate any clasps or adjustable closures. If you’re a back sleeper, you might prefer this piece on the side of your head. Stomach sleepers may find a clasp at the back more comfortable. For those who change positions frequently, consider an unobtrusive adjustment and/or closure mechanism like slim Velcro, a magnetic closure, or a slide buckle.