The best time to compose your to-do lists is at the end of the day, Kat Boogaard writes. Doing so helps you get to work faster the next day, decreases the likelihood you'll forget something and makes it easier to wind down your workday.

Your job might be in danger if you notice a sudden decrease in your workload or if you aren't being looped in on decisions that involve you, Rachel Weingarten writes. The proper way to respond is to be proactive about demonstrating your value while preparing for a possible job search.

Get in the habit of noticing coworkers' emotional patterns, particularly when they show signs of distress, Monica Worline, Jane Dutton and Ashley Hardin write. One way to respond to a troubled colleague is to ask "Are you OK?" and then follow up with a creative display of compassion.

The open office trend may be on its way out as major employers, including Microsoft and IBM, realize the value of team spaces and private areas like phone-booth-style and isolation rooms that allow workers to concentrate and collaborate. New layouts aim to create a "diversity of spaces," highlighting the best of open floor plan and private office designs.

Nearly everyone experiences work slumps, even people who like their jobs, experts say. Pull yourself out of these funks by taking small actions until you regain your motivation and by identifying the causes of your dissatisfaction.

The dimming of "Tabby's star" is probably caused by dust, says a study published in The Astrophysical Journal. Some astronomers have theorized that comet fragments or even an alien megastructure had caused the dimming effect.