Physics
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Science & Society
Readers focus on fake news, neutrinos, and more
Readers pondered how to effectively combat fake news, questioned the result of a clinical trial, and wanted to know more about neutrinos.
- Science & Society
Building big experiments to study very little things
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses our behind the scenes look at the giant equipment used to study the smallest bits of matter.
- Particle Physics
Early tests pave the way for a giant neutrino detector
A prototype detector demonstrates the technology needed for the DUNE experiment.
- Physics
Nuclear pasta in neutron stars may be the strongest material in the universe
Simulations suggest that the theoretical substance known as nuclear pasta is 10 billion times as strong as steel.
- Materials Science
Here’s how graphene could make future electronics superfast
Graphene-based electronics that operate at terahertz frequencies would be much speedier successors to today’s silicon-based devices.
- Physics
Sound waves can make bubbles in levitated drops of liquid
A new technique reveals how to make bubbles from droplets suspended in the air.
- Physics
A new hydrogen-rich compound may be a record-breaking superconductor
The record for the highest-temperature superconductor may be toast.
- Astronomy
Readers’ interest piqued by Parker Solar Probe, general relativity and more
Readers had questions about NASA's Parker Solar Probe, Einstein's general relativity theory and underwater cables used as earthquake sensors.
- Quantum Physics
Rubidium atoms mimic the Eiffel Tower, a Möbius strip and other 3-D shapes
Scientists have arranged atoms of the element rubidium into complex three-dimensional structures.
- Materials Science
A new material harnesses light to deice surfaces
A new sun-powered material could someday melt the ice off airplane wings, wind turbines and rooftops.
- Particle Physics
Electrons surf protons’ waves in a new kind of particle accelerator
For the first time, scientists accelerated electrons using plasma waves from proton beams.
- Physics
The strength of gravity has been measured to new precision
Researchers have measured Newton’s gravitational constant, known as Big G, with the greatest precision yet.
