Peanut butter is a liquid—the physics of this and other unexpected fluids
Those Transportation Security Administration requirements are drilled into every frequent flyer's head: You can carry on liquids that are only less than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in volume each......»»
How saber-toothed tigers acquired their long upper canine teeth
An international team led by scientists from the University of Liège has investigated the evolutionary patterns behind the development of saber teeth, with some unexpected results along the way. Their study has been published in the journal Current.....»»
Some clever ways to search for primordial black holes
Primordial black holes (PBHs) have recently received much attention in the physics community. One of the primary reasons is the potential link to dark matter. In effect, if PBHs can be proven to exist, there's a very good chance that they are what da.....»»
Model suggests subluminal warp drives may be possible
A team of physicists from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the Advanced Propulsion Laboratory at Applied Physics, in New York, has developed a model that shows it might be possible to create a subluminal warp drive......»»
Using AI to speed up and improve the most computationally-intensive aspects of plasma physics in fusion
The intricate dance of atoms fusing and releasing energy has fascinated scientists for decades. Now, human ingenuity and artificial intelligence are coming together at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) t.....»»
Student"s comparative analysis of primitive asteroids provides context for further research, future NASA missions
The primitive asteroids that UCF physics doctoral student Brittany Harvison studies carry with them traces of their origins and billions of years of our solar system's history......»»
Spectral evidence found for Dirac spinons in a kagome lattice antiferromagnet
A new study, published in a recent issue of Nature Physics, sheds light on the long-anticipated emergence of quasiparticles, akin to the famous Dirac particles obeying the relativistic Dirac equation. These quasiparticles, known as Dirac spinons, wer.....»»
NHTSA probes Amazon-owned Zoox for unexpected braking in AV software leading to crashes
NHTSA said it received two complaints alleging a Toyota Highlander equipped with Zoox autonomous driving technology braked suddenly and collided with motorcycles. Both collisions occurred during daytime conditions and resulted in minor injuries, NHTS.....»»
5 best Netflix movies of 2024 so far, ranked
From an unexpected animated hit to one of the craziest action films ever made, the best Netflix movies of 2024 have something for everyone......»»
NHTSA probes 6,813 Fisker Ocean crossovers for unexpected automatic emergency braking activation
U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating Fisker Inc. after reports of unexpected activation of its automatic emergency braking systems......»»
Astrophysicists discover a novel method for hunting the first stars
A recent study led by the research group of Professor Jane Lixin Dai of the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has discovered a novel method for detecting the first-generations stars, known as Population III (Pop III) stars, w.....»»
Unearthing the impacts of hydrological sensitivity on global rainfall
Georgia Tech researcher Jie He set out to predict how rainfall will change as Earth's atmosphere continues to heat up. In the process, he made some unexpected discoveries that might explain how greenhouse gas emissions will impact tropical oceans, af.....»»
Physicist achieve milestone in quantum simulation with circular Rydberg qubits
A team of researchers from the 5th Institute of Physics at the University of Stuttgart is making important progress in the field of quantum simulation and quantum computing based on Rydberg atoms by overcoming a fundamental limitation: the limited li.....»»
Business-focused anti-poverty initiatives can have unintended consequences
A new study of entrepreneurial small businesses created to address poverty in rural Africa found that the introduction of the entrepreneurial model led to unexpected social shifts that made the small business operators a source of friction and social.....»»
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.....»»
Researchers discover spontaneous liquefaction of solid metal–liquid metal interfaces in colloidal binary alloys
The boundary between solid metal and liquid metal can be much less "solid" than we ever suspected. RMIT researchers have discovered that the liquid-solid boundary can fluctuate back and forth, with metallic atoms near the surface breaking free from t.....»»
Fusion record set for tungsten tokamak WEST
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) measured a new record for a fusion device internally clad in tungsten, the element that could be the best fit for the commercial-scale machines required t.....»»
Glow of an exoplanet may be from starlight reflecting off liquid iron
A phenomenon called a "glory" may be happening on a hellishly hot giant planet. Enlarge / Artist impression of a glory on exoplanet WASP-76b. (credit: ESA) Do rainbows exist on distant worlds? Many phenomena that happen.....»»
What Kind of Battery Would You Need to Power a Lightsaber?
On Star Wars Day, we use some basic physics to measure the power of the Force. It’s strong!.....»»
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.....»»
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.....»»