Physicists unify sociological theories that explain social stability
Humans prefer stable relationships and love to avoid social tensions. Sociology so far uses two concepts to describe this preference for social stability, namely, (Social) Balance Theory and the theory of homophily ("birds of a feather flock together.....»»
New hypothesis suggests Mars"s unique shape may be due to long lost moon
An astronomer at the U.S. Naval Observatory has developed a hypothesis to explain the unique shape and terrain of Mars. He suggests both are due to a long-lost moon. Michael Efroimsky has published a paper outlining the hypothesis on the arXiv prepri.....»»
Researchers explore the effects of the Black Lives Matter protests on racial bias
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 revived the Black Lives Matter movement, a large scale social movement that aims to highlight and reduce structural racism and inequality in the United States. The movement—and its coverage—strongly affected how.....»»
Social messaging in soap operas can prevent violence and intergroup conflict
Soap operas are known for outrageous schemes and scandalous affairs, but an NYU researcher finds that they can also serve as effective interventions for preventing intergroup violence in conflict-ridden areas by shaping social norms, promoting unders.....»»
Can AI talk us out of conspiracy theory rabbit holes?
New research published in Science shows that for some people who believe in conspiracy theories, a fact-based conversation with an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot can "pull them out of the rabbit hole." Better yet, it seems to keep them out for.....»»
Pedego Cargo e-bike review: your passengers will love it
The stability of this large, heavy Pedego model with moped tires makes it an admirable choice for transporting passengers......»»
Early dark energy could resolve cosmology"s two biggest puzzles
A new study by MIT physicists proposes that a mysterious force known as early dark energy could solve two of the biggest puzzles in cosmology and fill in some major gaps in our understanding of how the early universe evolved......»»
Energy transmission in quantum field theory requires information: Research finds surprisingly simple relationship
An international team of researchers has found a surprisingly simple relationship between the rates of energy and information transmission across an interface connecting two quantum field theories. Their work was published in Physical Review Letters.....»»
Generating spin currents directly using ultrashort laser pulses
An international team of physicists has found that it is possible to generate spin currents directly using certain kinds of ultrashort laser pulses. In their study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the group used a linearly polarized.....»»
Erbium-doped electrocatalyst enhances oxygen evolution reactions in acidic environments
A group of researchers has developed an electrocatalyst that promises to significantly enhance the efficiency and stability of oxygen evolution reactions (OER) in acidic environments. By incorporating a rare earth element, erbium (Er), into the commo.....»»
Floquet engineering tunes ultracold molecule interactions and produces two-axis twisting dynamics
The interactions between quantum spins underlie some of the universe's most interesting phenomena, such as superconductors and magnets. However, physicists have difficulty engineering controllable systems in the lab that replicate these interactions......»»
Conversations with AI can successfully reduce belief in conspiracy theories
Have you ever tried to convince a conspiracy theorist that the moon landing wasn't staged? You likely didn't succeed, but ChatGPT might have better luck, according to research by MIT Sloan School of Management professor David Rand and American Univer.....»»
Spiny mice point the way to new path in social neuroscience
Scientists have zeroed in on brain circuitry powering the desire of spiny mice to live in large groups, opening the door to a new model for the study of complex social behaviors in mammals......»»
Discovery of a new phase of matter in 2D defies normal statistical mechanics
Physicists from the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge have created the first two-dimensional version of the Bose glass, a novel phase of matter that challenges statistical mechanics. The details of the study have been published in Nature......»»
Carbohydrate polymers could be a sweet solution for water purification
Water polluted with heavy metals can pose a threat when consumed by humans and aquatic life. Sugar-derived polymers from plants remove these metals but often require other substances to adjust their stability or solubility in water......»»
Reassessing the stability of the Florida Current: New insights from 40 years of observations
There is growing scientific interest in quantifying how large-scale ocean circulation is evolving as part of a changing global climate. Of particular interest is the potential weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)......»»
“HAIL HOLY TERROR”: Two US citizens charged for running online “Terrorgram Collective”
White accelerationist terror meets social media. The US government recently announced multiple charges against the alleged leaders of the "Terrorgram Collective," which does just what it sounds like—it promotes terrorism on the Tel.....»»
Kids are digital natives. They have ideas to help protect children from being harmed online, says researcher
The vast expanse of internet connectivity, online media, social media platforms, gaming platforms, and new forms and uses of artificial intelligence (AI) have opened enormous opportunities for commerce and communication......»»
Fluctuating hydrodynamics theory could describe chaotic many-body systems, study suggests
Although systems consisting of many interacting small particles can be highly complex and chaotic, some can nonetheless be described using simple theories. Does this also pertain to the world of quantum physics?.....»»
Social media interviews uncover New Yorkers" frustrations with high energy costs and reliability
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health are using a novel interview method to assess New Yorkers' perceptions and feelings related to their difficulties paying for and controlling heating and cooling in their homes. Inspire.....»»
Social media negatively impacting teens" life satisfaction, finds Australian survey
Social media is negatively impacting the life satisfaction of Australian high school students, according to the latest findings from Australia's largest survey of young people......»»