Physics
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Earth
Third kind of quasicrystal found in Russian meteorite
A new quasicrystal found inside a Russian meteorite is the first ever found in nature before being synthesized in the lab.
- Quantum Physics
Cosmic test confirms quantum weirdness
Physicists used starlight to perform a cosmic Bell test.
- Physics
Despite lack of free electrons, bismuth superconducts
Bismuth conducts electricity with no resistance at temperatures near absolute zero, despite lack of mobile electrons.
- Anthropology
Readers ponder hominid hookups and more
Neandertal evolution, quantum internet and more in reader feedback.
- Physics
Whirlpools might have stirred up baby universe’s soup
Vortices appear in the quark-gluon plasma produced in heavy-ion collisions.
- Particle Physics
New analysis boosts case for smaller proton
Electron scattering data hint at a slightly smaller proton radius.
- Physics
‘Void’ dives into physics of nothingness
In modern physics, emptiness is elusive and difficult to define, a new book shows.
- Physics
Supersolids produced in exotic state of quantum matter
Bose-Einstein condensates display properties of liquid and solid simultaneously.
- Quantum Physics
Why quantum mechanics might need an overhaul
Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg says current debates in quantum mechanics need a new approach to comprehend reality.
- Particle Physics
Muon surplus leaves physicists searching for answers
A glut of muons shows up in particle showers in the atmosphere.
- Physics
Units of measure are getting a fundamental upgrade
New units based on fundamental properties of the universe will make measurements more precise.
- Quantum Physics
‘Time crystal’ created in lab
A chain of ions creates a crystal that repeats in time instead of in space.
