Physics
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Astronomy
Black hole app lets you blow up stars
NOVA’s Black Hole app for iPad is an addictive game that teaches lessons about gravity and astronomy while letting you hurl stars at one another.
- Materials Science
High-tech cloth could make summer days a breeze
A plastic material like kitchen cling wrap may be the next big thing in high-tech clothing. The fabric lets heat pass through, but blocks visible light, making it opaque enough to wear.
- Physics
Bacteria-sized molecules created in lab
Cesium atoms with high-energy electrons pair up to form giant molecules.
- Quantum Physics
Experiment confirms plan for quantum-coded messages
A new way to send secret quantum messages uses shorter keys.
- Physics
Flaming fuel on water creates ‘blue whirl’ that burns clean
Scientists found a way to burn fuel on water that leaves little soot behind.
- Quantum Physics
A new ‘Einstein’ equation suggests wormholes hold key to quantum gravity
A new Einsteinian equation, ER=EPR, may be the clue physicists need to merge quantum mechanics with general relativity.
- Computing
Supersmall device uses individual atoms to store data
Scientists manipulate chlorine atoms to store data on a supersmall device.
- Astronomy
Dark matter candidate particles are a no-show in Hitomi data
Before the Hitomi satellite broke apart, it captured data that cast further doubt on evidence of X-rays from dark matter particles in a galaxy cluster.
- Particle Physics
New data give clearer picture of Higgs boson
Scientists are carefully measuring the Higgs boson’s properties.
- Earth
General relativity has readers feeling upside down
Readers respond to the June 25, 2016, issue of Science News with questions on Earth's age, moaning whales, plate tectonics and more.
- Physics
The pressure is on to make metallic hydrogen
Scientists are getting close to turning hydrogen into a metal — both in liquid form and maybe even solid form. The rewards, if they pull it off, are worth the effort.
- Environment
New desalination tech could help quench global thirst
Designed with better, more energy-efficient materials, next-generation desalination plants may offer a way to meet the world’s growing need for freshwater.
