News

Physics

U.S. time now flows from atom fountain

The United States has switched to the atomic fountain clock, which sets itself according to the resonant frequency of rising and falling balls of cold cesium.

Physics

Magnets trap neutrons for a lifetime

A new device that uses magnets to trap neutrons may enable physicists to measure more precisely how quickly free neutrons decay, a time period with implications for understanding both the weak force and the early universe.

Physics

Lasers act on cue in electron billiards

Electrons torn from atoms by a laser beam can shoot back into the atom and knock loose other electrons like balls in a billiard game, a finding that may have applications in nuclear fusion, particle acceleration, and fundamental physics experiments.

Chemistry

Powerful explosive blasts onto scene

Researchers have synthesized what could be the most powerful nonnuclear explosive known.

Animals

Butterfly ears suggest a bat influence

Researchers have found the first bat-detecting ear in a butterfly and suggest that the threat of bats triggered the evolution of some moths into butterflies.

Astronomy

Hubble Space Telescope: Eye wide open

Two months after the failure of a fourth gyroscope shut it down, and 3 weeks after a shuttle crew paid it a service call, the Hubble Space Telescope is back in business.

Earth

As globe warms, atmosphere keeps its cool

Scientists confirm a confusing discrepancy between temperatures at Earth's surface and in its atmosphere.

Health & Medicine

Oxygen limits infections from surgery

Giving patients extra oxygen during and shortly after colorectal surgery halves the incidence of infection.