The implications of "Oumuamua on the panspermia theory
On October 19, 2017, astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey detected an interstellar object (ISO) passing through our solar system for the first time. The object, known as 1I/2017 U1 'Oumuamua, stimulated significant scientific debate and is still co.....»»
Ultraviolet spectroscopy: A leap in precision and accuracy at extremely low light levels
Ultraviolet spectroscopy plays a critical role in the study of electronic transitions in atoms and rovibronic transitions in molecules. These studies are essential for tests of fundamental physics, quantum-electrodynamics theory, determination of fun.....»»
Finding new physics in debris from colliding neutron stars
Neutron star mergers are a treasure trove for new physics signals, with implications for determining the true nature of dark matter, according to research from Washington University in St. Louis......»»
After decades of Arctic sea ice getting faster, models suggest a dramatic reversal is coming
Will ice floating in the Arctic Ocean move faster or slower over the coming decades? The answer to this question will tell us whether marine transportation can be expected to get more or less hazardous. It might also have important implications for t.....»»
New "digital twin" Earth technology could help predict water-based natural disasters before they strike
The water cycle looks simple in theory—but human impacts, climate change, and complicated geography mean that in practice, floods and droughts remain hard to predict. To model water on Earth, you need incredibly high-resolution data across an immen.....»»
Less Sea Ice Means More Arctic Trees—Which Means Trouble
White spruce are spreading in the high north, thanks to extra snow. That “Arctic greening” has serious climate implications......»»
Scientists reveal how light behaves in formless solids
For a long time, it was thought that amorphous solids do not selectively absorb light because of their disordered atomic structure. However, a new uOttawa study disproves this theory and shows that amorphous solids actually exhibit dichroism, meaning.....»»
Researchers develop "foundational tool" for understanding behavior of hydride superconductors at high pressure
Hydrogen (like many of us) acts weird under pressure. Theory predicts that when crushed by the weight of more than a million times our atmosphere, this light, abundant, normally gaseous element first becomes a metal, and even more strangely, a superc.....»»
Improving lithium-sulfur batteries with metal-organic framework-based materials
Current lithium-ion battery technology does not have the energy density necessary to meet the demands for renewable energy. In theory, lithium-sulfur batteries could be a viable alternative with a higher specific capacity and energy density. However,.....»»
Earthquake research traces the pace of an approaching "seismic dragon king"
The 'Dragon King' theory was proposed based on the physics of complexity. According to this theory, 'Dragon King' events deviate from the power law distribution as a statistical outlier and, noticeably, have predictability......»»
Novel theory-based evaluation gives a clearer picture of fusion in the sun
Most of the energy from the sun and other stars comes from a chain of nuclear fusion reactions. The end of this chain is marked by the fusion of protons with beryllium-7 to form boron-8. This process is key in determining the flow of high-energy sola.....»»
There’s a New Theory About Where Dark Matter Is Hiding
An idea derived from string theory suggests that dark matter is hidden in an as-yet-unseen extra dimension. Scientists are racing to test the theory to see if it holds up......»»
Scientists closer to finding quantum gravity theory after measuring gravity on microscopic level
Scientists are a step closer to unraveling the mysterious forces of the universe after working out how to measure gravity on a microscopic level......»»
Why are fish getting smaller as waters warm? It"s not their gills, finds study
A collaborative team of scientists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently found that there is no physiological evidence supporting a leading theory—which involves the surface area of fish gills—as to why many fish species are "sh.....»»
How decentralized identity is shaping the future of data protection
In this Help Net Security interview, Patrick Harding, Chief Architect at Ping Identity, discusses the promises and implications of decentralized identity (DCI) in cybersecurity. By redistributing identity management responsibilities among issuers, ho.....»»
Even if we can"t see the first stars, we could detect their impact on the first galaxies
For a long time, our understanding of the universe's first galaxies leaned heavily on theory. The light from that age only reached us after traveling for billions of years, and on the way, it was obscured and stretched into the infrared. Clues about.....»»
Video: What does a warming Arctic mean for the future?
The Arctic is experiencing disproportionately higher temperature increases compared to the rest of the planet, triggering a series of cascading effects. This rapid warming has profound implications for global climate patterns, human populations and w.....»»
Skyrocketing ocean temperatures have scientists scratching their heads
Shattered temperature records have grim implications for hurricane season. Enlarge (credit: jay_zynism via Getty) For nearly a year now, a bizarre heating event has been unfolding across the world’s oceans. In March 20.....»»
Kyiv Is Using Homegrown Tech to Treat the Trauma of War
Millions of Ukrainians are suffering the mental health implications of two years of Russian bombs and shells. The country’s recovery depends on building systems to help treat the trauma......»»
Cyber threats cast shadow over 2024 elections
Considering that 2024 is a historic year for elections – with an estimated half of the world’s population taking part in democratic votes – this high threat of cyber interference has significant implications for global free society, threatening.....»»
A different picture of the Serengeti: Competition for food drives planet"s remaining mass migration of herbivores
Upending the prevailing theory of how and why multi-species mass-migration patterns occur in Serengeti National Park, researchers from Wake Forest University have confirmed that the millions-strong wildebeest population pushes zebra herds along in co.....»»