Physics News

Pulse sequences for generating two-axis twisting rotate the spins of KRb molecules, transforming the spin exchange interactions. Credit: Steven Burrows/Ye Group 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. Now, in … Read more

Map of the greater Charleston Harbor System, highlighting the location of water level stations (purple dots). Axis labels are meters, UTM Zone 17. Credit: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023JC020498 The common practice of building dams to prevent flooding can actually contribute to more intense coastal flood events, according to a new study. … Read more

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Sea otters are famed for their luscious pelts, but the fur almost led to their extinction. By 1938, only a tiny population of ~50 remained clinging to the central California coast. Since then, the mammals have battled back. However, the charismatic creatures are still at risk from crude oil spilled by … Read more

Credit: Armen Agopian, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science A nationwide analysis of community-level floodplain development found that over two-million acres of floodplain were developed over the past two decades across the United States, with roughly half of all new floodplain housing built in Florida. These findings from scientists at … Read more

Representative images of latent fingermarks on stainless steel illuminated by and viewed under visible light (a) before development and (b) after development with MCM-41@Ch@DnsGly NPs. Corresponding images generated by illumination with UV light (λex = 365 nm) by MCM-41@Ch@DnsGly NP development on (c) stainless steel, (d) glass, (e) plastic and (f) unfired brass cartridge case … Read more

Researchers from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands have been able to initiate a controlled movement in the very heart of an atom. They caused the atomic nucleus to interact with one of the electrons in the outermost shells of the atom. This electron could be manipulated and read out through the needle of … Read more

Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.020 A team of international researchers at the University of Oxford (Oxford) and NTU Singapore, has discovered a new process for repairing damaged DNA that is particularly relevant for patients undergoing colorectal cancer treatments. Reporting their finding in the journal Cell, the researchers describe a new process in DNA repair in … Read more

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The personal carbon footprint of the richest people in society is grossly underestimated, both by the rich themselves and by those on middle and lower incomes, no matter which country they come from. At the same time, both the rich and the poor drastically overestimate the carbon footprint of the poorest … Read more

The Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS), one of the many accelerators in CERN’s complex that will benefit from the EPA project. Credit: CERN As particle accelerator technology moves into the high-luminosity era, the need for extreme precision and unprecedented collision energy keeps growing. Given also the Laboratory’s desire to reduce energy consumption and costs, the design … Read more

The new inexpensive smartphone-based digital holographic microscope provides a portable way to perform 3D measurements. Credit: Yuki Nagahama, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Researchers have developed a new smartphone-based digital holographic microscope that enables precision 3D measurements. The highly portable and inexpensive microscope could help bring 3D measurement capabilities to a broader range of … Read more