Physics
- Particle Physics
Theorists perplexed by hints of unexpected new particle
Hints of a potential new particle at the LHC have scientists excited, and theoretical physicists are beginning to converge on explanations.
- Cosmology
New sky map charts previously unknown gamma-ray sources
A new map of the sky from the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory charts the cosmic origins of high-energy photons.
- Quantum Physics
Information is physical, even in quantum systems, study suggests
A thermodynamic principle says that deleting information generates heat, and now, scientists say that goes for quantum systems, too.
- Physics
Itty bitty engine puts a single atom to work
Scientists have created a miniature heat engine out of a single atom.
- Quantum Physics
Gamers outperform computer at quantum task
Quantum mechanics may be weird, but a new video game shows that human intuition can still best computers at quantum tasks.
- Physics
Turning water to steam, no boiling required
A new material can convert water into steam with sunlight alone, and could be useful for making fresh water from salty.
- Oceans
Readers question ocean health
Ocean plastics, ant behavior, pollution solutions and more in reader feedback.
- Astronomy
Possible source of high-energy neutrino reported
Scientists may have found the cosmic birthplace of an ultra-high energy neutrino: a blazar 9 billion light years away.
- Physics
Faint gravitational waves could soon be on LIGO’s radar
In a few years, LIGO could detect hints of faint gravitational waves from black holes too far away to be seen directly.
- Physics
New type of catalyst could aid hydrogen fuel
A substance that can switch states might make an efficient catalyst for extracting hydrogen from water.
- Physics
Like birds of a feather, sperm flock together
Studies of sperm show that they swim in groups because of the elasticity of the mucus they travel through.
- Materials Science
Playing with building blocks for metamaterial design
Legos show promise as a low-cost method to assist scientists in developing novel metamaterials.
