Studying How to keep track of the latest results in your field?

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To efficiently stay updated on recent papers in physics, utilizing arXiv is common, but it can be time-consuming. A more streamlined approach includes subscribing to the Table of Contents (ToC) of relevant journals, which provides direct access to new publications. Google Scholar's "recommended articles" feature can also be beneficial, especially when following key authors. Engaging with colleagues by discussing recent papers can uncover valuable insights, and establishing a weekly journal club can foster collaborative learning. Additionally, subscribing to the arXiv mailing list allows users to receive daily emails with preprints in specific subfields, enhancing the ability to keep track of new research without extensive searching.
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Hello! What is the best way to focus on the most relevant, recently published papers in your field (in my case physics). Usually I just go on arXiv (hopefully most of them will be there), choose my field of interest and start scrolling. But that takes a lot of time. Searching for key words helps but that way you risk missing good papers. Do people with more experience have any advice for better ways to keep up to date with the new papers coming every day? Thank you!
 
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The "recommended articles" in Google Scholar can be a good place to start, especially once you are "following" enough relevant authors.
Subscribing the the ToC of some relevant journals can also be a good idea.
 
I use arXiv too (I bookmarked the atomic physics subsection so my daily arxiv check is over in less than a minute), but I hear about most of the cool papers from my coworkers. Try asking folks, "see any cool papers lately?" Its a bit random but it works! Getting your group to do a weekly journal club doesn't hurt either.
 
If you subscribe to the arXiv mailing list, you get an email with all of the preprints in a given subfield (for example physics, statistical mechanics) every night. Instructions are here https://arxiv.org/help/subscribe
 
Given the current funding situation, you should contact potential departments or research groups before you apply and pay any application fees. Many programs are not taking new graduate students at all this cycle because of funding uncertainty, unless a specific advisor can show they already have money to support you for five years. This is what I’ve heard directly from 20–30 programs. Do not waste money applying blindly.