Microscopic wormholes possible in theory
Wormholes play a key role in many science fiction films—often as a shortcut between two distant points in space. In physics, however, these tunnels in spacetime have remained purely hypothetical. An international team led by Dr. Jose Luis Blázquez.....»»
Tracing the history of perturbative expansion in quantum field theory
Perturbative expansion is a valuable mathematical technique which is widely used to break down descriptions of complex quantum systems into simpler, more manageable parts. Perhaps most importantly, it has enabled the development of quantum field theo.....»»
Utilizing scanning SQUID microscopy to investigate local magnetic response of Bi2212
Phase transitions in different states of matter, such as the condensation of gases into liquids or the transition from a normal metal to a superconducting state, can be described using Ginzburg-Landau symmetry-breaking theory. However, such a theory.....»»
New research employs shutter speed analogies to validate 55-year-old theory about chemical reaction rates
Chemical reactions are commonly depicted as transitions from reactants to products. However, such reactions involve many molecules, and the individual molecules themselves undergo frequently-occurring structural changes as they transform from the rea.....»»
New work extends the thermodynamic theory of computation
Every computing system, biological or synthetic, from cells to brains to laptops, has a cost. This isn't the price, which is easy to discern, but an energy cost connected to the work required to run a program and the heat dissipated in the process......»»
Study discovers cellular activity that hints recycling is in our DNA
Although you may not appreciate them, or have even heard of them, throughout your body, countless microscopic machines called spliceosomes are hard at work. As you sit and read, they are faithfully and rapidly putting back together the broken informa.....»»
Is dark matter’s main rival theory dead?
There’s bad news from the Cassini spacecraft and other recent tests. Enlarge / Galaxy rotation has long perplexed scientists. (credit: NASA/James Webb Telescope) One of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics today is.....»»
Astronomers propose a new stellar theory to explain the origin of phosphorus
Astronomers have proposed a new theory to explain the origin of phosphorus, one of the elements important for life on Earth. The theory suggests a type of stellar explosion known as "ONe novae" as a major source of phosphorus......»»
Einstein and anime: Hong Kong university tests AI professors
Using virtual reality headsets, students at a Hong Kong university travel to a pavilion above the clouds to watch an AI-generated Albert Einstein explain game theory......»»
New DNA origami technique promises advances in medicine
A new technique in building DNA structures at a microscopic level has the potential to advance drug delivery and disease diagnosis, a study suggests......»»
New rhizobia-diatom symbiosis solves long-standing marine mystery
Nitrogen is an essential component of all living organisms. It is also the key element controlling the growth of crops on land, as well as the microscopic oceanic plants that produce half the oxygen on our planet. Atmospheric nitrogen gas is by far t.....»»
How to tell if a conspiracy theory is probably false
Conspiracy theories are everywhere, and they can involve just about anything......»»
Study reveals flaw in long-accepted approximation used in water simulations
Computational scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have published a study in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation that questions a long-accepted factor in simulating the molecular dynamics of water: the 2-f.....»»
The quantum theory of gravitation, effective field theories and strings: Past and present
Gravity is one of four fundamental interactions. The most precise description of this force is still provided by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, published in 1915, an entirely classical theory. This description sets gravity apart from the ot.....»»
New research confirms that Beethoven had lead poisoning—but it didn"t kill him
To this day, no one knows for certain what caused the liver and kidney disease that led to Ludwig van Beethoven's untimely death. However, a new letter to the editor in the journal Clinical Chemistry rules out one popular theory, showing that the com.....»»
Rich molecular language guides tiny liquid droplet formation in cells
Peering into a biological cell reveals a bustling microscopic world. The workhorses within this realm are specialized structures called organelles that perform vital cellular functions. Curiously, some organelles defy accepted convention: Instead of.....»»
Bio-inspired materials" potential for efficient mass transfer boosted by a new twist on a century-old theory
The natural vein structure found within leaves—which has inspired the structural design of porous materials that can maximize mass transfer—could unlock improvements in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing thanks to a new twist on a century-old.....»»
Ancient scroll reveals new story of Plato"s death—here"s why you should be suspicious of it
Plato of Athens (429–347 BC) may be one of the most famous philosophers of all times. He was the thinker who came up with the "theory of forms" and founded the first academic institution. Yet we know little about his life, such as how he died, or w.....»»
New study is first to use statistical physics to corroborate 1940s social balance theory
Most people have heard the famous phrase "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Now, Northwestern University researchers have used statistical physics to confirm the theory that underlies this famous axiom. The study, "Proper network randomization is.....»»
For microscopic organisms, ocean currents act as "expressway" to deeper depths, study finds
Some of the ocean's tiniest organisms get swept into underwater currents that act as a conduit that shuttles them from the sunny surface to deeper, darker depths where they play a huge role in affecting the ocean's chemistry and ecosystem, according.....»»
Researchers find unexpected roadblock to conductivity in Mott insulators
In the realm of condensed matter physics, few phenomena captivate physicists' curiosity as much as Mott insulators. According to traditional theory, this odd class of materials should be capable of conducting electricity, yet they behave mostly as in.....»»