And then there was light: looking for the first stars in the Universe
Astronomers are closing in on a signal that has been travelling across the Universe for 12 billion years, bringing them nearer to understanding the life … Read more
Physics & Mathematics
Exotic physics phenomenon is observed for first time
An exotic physical phenomenon, involving optical waves, synthetic magnetic fields, and time reversal, has been directly observed for the first time, following decades of attempts. … Read more
People can see beauty in complex mathematics, study shows
Ordinary people see beauty in complex mathematical arguments in the same way they can appreciate a beautiful landscape painting or a piano sonata – and … Read more
The Chemistry of Art: Scientists Explore Aged Paint in Microscopic Detail to Inform Preservation Efforts
Watching paint dry may seem like a boring hobby, but understanding what happens after the paint dries can be key in preserving precious works of … Read more
In a quantum future, which starship destroys the other?
Quantum mechanics boasts all sorts of strange features, one being quantum superposition – the peculiar circumstance in which particles seem to be in two or … Read more
Researchers explain earthquakes we can’t feel
The Earth’s subsurface is an extremely active place, where the movements and friction of plates deep underground shape our landscape and govern the intensity of … Read more
New technique could streamline design of intricate fusion device
Stellarators, twisty machines that house fusion reactions, rely on complex magnetic coils that are challenging to design and build. Now, a physicist at the U.S. … Read more
127-year-old physics problem solved
“Seeing the pictures appear on the computer screen was the best day at work I’ve ever had,” says Simen Ådnøy Ellingsen, an associate professor at … Read more
Physicists seek to pin down origin of the elements
Nearly all of the oxygen in our universe is forged in the bellies of massive stars like our sun. As these stars contract and burn, … Read more
Scientists Discover New State of Matter
A team of physicists has uncovered a new state of matter—a breakthrough that offers promise for increasing storage capabilities in electronic devices and enhancing quantum … Read more
Data-mining for dark matter
When Tracy Slatyer faced a crisis of confidence early in her educational career, Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time” and a certain fictional janitor … Read more
