Physicists have devised an innovative way to deduce the details of hidden particles at high energies by analyzing effective field theory coefficients. This approach provides a potential pathway for discovering new laws of physics and overcomes limitations of experimental research.
Physicists at UC Irvine have developed an AI system called Autonomous Model Builder that can autonomously design theoretical physics models, helping identify promising new explanations for the behavior of neutrinos. The system uses reinforcement learning and is designed to assist human physicists in narrowing down vast theory spaces.
The JUNO Collaboration has made the high-precision measurement of two key oscillation parameters, reducing associated uncertainties by a factor of 1.6 compared to past decades. This result validates detector performance and analysis methodology, establishing JUNO as a key player in precision neutrino oscillation physics.
A new study explores how transfer learning reduces computational costs in cosmological simulations while revealing risks of negative transfer, which can hinder learning new physics. Transfer learning can accelerate inference but may also push AI systems toward incorrect interpretations of new effects.
The papers validate and de-risk Commonwealth Fusion Systems' approach to commercial fusion, demonstrating scientifically robust path to grid electricity in the early 2030s. Advanced computational tools combined decades of empirical research on tokamaks worldwide, predicting 1.1 GW of fusion power and 400 MW of continuous net electricity.
Boston University has joined the NSF-funded AI Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions to unlock new discoveries in physics using AI. The institute, which includes top local universities, aims to develop new approaches to AI by applying physics principles.
The article explores how Busseiron became an 'umbrella discipline' incorporating various topics related to matter. Despite debates over its structure, the term endured due to its widespread acceptance and legitimized by contentious discussions.
Researchers developed a physics-inspired framework to predict how accents and dialects change over time and location. The model demonstrates sweeping linguistic shifts across the US during the 20th century and shows that language may be law-like, with hidden statistical forces shaping human communication.
The NRL Plasma Physics Division has advanced understanding of plasma, supporting technologies critical to national defense, space science, and advanced materials. Researchers have developed novel concepts for detecting and removing space debris, as well as technologies for high-energy density physics and pulsed power.
Researchers at Penn State have made precise calculations, showing that a discrepancy in particle physics was a fluke, not nature. The study strengthens confidence in the Standard Model to 11 decimal places, ruling out new forces or quantum objects.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a mathematical connection between quantum mechanics and classical physics, enabling the description of quantum behavior using everyday classical ideas. The team's findings shed light on phenomena such as the double-slit experiment, which has long been challenging to explain using classical tools.
Georgia Tech researchers used computer models to reveal how cells physically pull the neural tube closed during early development. The study found that forces generated by cells create a 'purse string' mechanism made of actin, which tightens and draws the tube closed through a synchronized pattern of cell movement.
Mayuko Yamashita has been awarded a six-year, $1.5 million Hideki Yukawa Chair in Theoretical Physics at Perimeter Institute, supporting her research on stable homotopy theory and its applications in quantum field theory.
Researchers from the University of Warsaw and other institutions created optical tornadoes by combining spatially variable birefringence with an optical microcavity. This allows for the creation of miniature light sources with complex structures, potentially enabling simpler and more scalable photonic devices.
Tsinghua University's Department of Physics is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of events and publications. Researchers will gather in Beijing to explore quantum science, artificial intelligence, and computational physics.
Charles Thorn has made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics, including the development of string theory and the no-ghost theorem. He was awarded the 2026 Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics for his fundamental contributions to elementary particle physics.
Tova Holmes and Larry Lee will work on the CMS upgrade and search for new particles at Fermilab, while also promoting the laboratory's Distinguished Researcher program. They aim to strengthen connections between the university and the national lab, bringing students and postdocs to the lab for hands-on learning opportunities.
Researchers have confirmed the Standard Model of particle physics with unprecedented accuracy, solving the proton radius puzzle and verifying predictions up to the 13th decimal place. The new results set a new benchmark in measuring the energy levels of hydrogen atoms.
The Global Physics Summit will feature over 12,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics, particle physics, and quantum information science. Registered journalists and public information officers will receive daily emails with information during the meeting.
Researchers found that low-viscosity liquids like milk take around 30 seconds to drain 90% of a thin film, while more viscous fluids like olive oil require over nine minutes. The study provides insight into everyday physics and its applications in the kitchen.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered how tiny organisms break the laws of physics to swim faster, offering new pathways for engineering and medicine. The team found that non-reciprocal motion, known as time reversal symmetry breaking, is key to efficient swimming in the mesoscale realm.
Lucciana Mikaela Cáceres Holgado, a University of Kansas physics and astronomy double major, has been awarded the second annual Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship for her exoplanet research and community involvement. The $15,000 scholarship supports her graduate research in environmental sciences.
The Interactions Collaboration has selected top three photographs from hundreds of submissions by amateur and professional photographers worldwide. Marco Donghia's image of a researcher at the CryOgenic Laboratory for Detectors was chosen as first place, praised for its clear storytelling and masterful use of light.
The University of Texas at Arlington has launched the Center for Space Physics and Data Science, expanding undergraduate and graduate degree programs in space physics and data science. The center will train students across six focus areas, preparing them for careers in the rapidly growing space industry.
The VIP-2 experiment, a highly sensitive test of the Pauli exclusion principle, found no evidence of its violation. The team set the strongest limits yet on possible violations involving electrons in atomic systems, constraining speculative theories beyond the Standard Model.
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will feature over 10,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics and particle physics. Attendees can book discounted hotel rates near the Colorado Convention Center until February 12 to receive a discount.
Researchers have successfully classified new quantum phases using duality, revealing insights into non-invertible symmetries. The study's findings offer important theoretical contributions for applications in quantum technology.
The Muonium-to-Antimuonium Conversion Experiment (MACE) aims to detect the rare conversion of muonium into antimuonium, a process that could reveal new physics. The experiment seeks to improve upon the last experimental limit by more than two orders of magnitude and target a conversion probability as low as 10^-13.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered a method to increase muon lifetime using intense laser pulses. By applying quantum interference principles, they aim to develop new scientific facilities that utilize muons instead of electrons.
Jessica Eskew, a PhD student in Auburn Physics, has been awarded a highly competitive SCGSR Fellowship to conduct fusion energy research at DIII-D. Her research focuses on runaway electrons, which can damage fusion devices if uncontrolled. Eskew will collaborate with experts in energetic particle physics and plasma control.
Direct-ink writing (DIW) technology faces unique physics puzzles, requiring a balance between liquid-like and solid-like behavior. The review aims to stimulate fundamental work on the central challenges of DIW, enabling more reliable and precise processes.
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will convene over 14,000 physicists worldwide for groundbreaking research presentations. The event will feature both in-person and online experiences, including scientific sessions, exhibits, and networking events.
Generative AI is increasingly used in classrooms, raising concerns about its impact on student learning. Researcher Gerd Kortemeyer explores the benefits and drawbacks of AI in physics education, suggesting that it can be a helpful tool when integrated into teaching methods that focus on critical thinking and collaboration.
Dr. Fan Zhang, a pioneering theoretical physicist, has made groundbreaking discoveries in quantum matter and topological physics. His research has transformed our understanding of electronic correlations and topology, inspiring experimental breakthroughs worldwide.
The MicroBooNE collaboration has ruled out the possibility of a light sterile neutrino, a hypothetical particle that had long been speculated as a solution to open questions in particle physics. This result narrows the field of possibilities for explaining one of today's biggest puzzles in neutrino physics.
Antoine Browaeys, a pioneer in quantum physics, has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on neutral atom arrays and their application to controlled quantum simulation of many-body physics. This platform holds great promise for the future of quantum technologies.
Physicists discovered connections between Ramanujan's formulae for pi and fundamental physics theories like conformal field theories. The formulas, developed in the early 20th century, yield efficient calculations for phenomena like turbulence and black holes.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new approach to unifying quantum physics and general relativity theory, discovering striking deviations from previous results. The approach uses geodesics and quantized metric to make predictions for measurable quantities.
The JUNO experiment has successfully measured solar neutrino oscillation parameters with a factor of 1.5 to 1.8 better precision than previous experiments. This confirms the existing discrepancy known as the solar neutrino tension, which could be proved or disproved using both solar and reactor neutrinos.
Stacyann Nelson, an assistant professor at Morgan State University, has been awarded the 2025 Joseph A. Johnson Award for Excellence in physics research and mentorship. Her research focuses on understanding fundamental properties of hadronic matter at high energies, while inspiring students to become leaders in physics research.
Researchers Sang-Ho Kim, An-Ping Li, Bronson Messer and Zac Ward recognized for their distinguished achievements in physics. They were cited by the APS Division of Physics of Beams, Topical Group on Instrument and Measurement Science, Forum on Outreach and Engaging the Public, and Forum on Physics and Society.
Stefano Baroni, a renowned physicist, has been awarded the 2026 Aneesur Rahman Prize for his pioneering work in first-principles methods and open-source software development. His research has significantly advanced our understanding of material properties and paved the way for cutting-edge technologies.
Three UCSB physicists, Sebastian Streichan, David Patterson, and Andrea Young, are among the selected researchers receiving funding to investigate the physics of tissue morphogenesis, chiral molecules, and quantum materials. This award aims to unlock new insights into fundamental research in experimental physics.
The American Institute of Physics has awarded PhET Interactive Simulations a $25,000 grant to develop a professional learning course and community for high school physics teachers. The award aims to improve physics education in the US by raising interest and boosting quality.
Ben Jones, UTA physics professor, receives $1.3 million grant to search for rare processes involving neutrinos. The grant supports his project on neutrinoless double electron capture in argon or krypton gases.
Gravitinos, charged particles with spin 3/2, are suggested as a new alternative to existing Dark Matter candidates like axions and WIMPs. The JUNO detector, currently under construction, is well-suited for detecting gravitinos due to its large volume.
A team of physicists used statistical physics to create a recipe for the perfect cacio e pepe pasta sauce. The key lies in adding starch powder to emulsify and stabilize the sauce. This innovative approach has led to a consistent, creamy sauce every time.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created quantum sensors that can measure stress and magnetism in materials under pressure exceeding 30,000 times the atmospheric pressure. These breakthrough sensors offer a new frontier for studying high-pressure phenomena in fields like astronomy, geology, and superconductivity.
A new AI oracle aimed at solving complex physics problems has received $19.4 million in funding from the US Department of Energy. The project, led by the University of Michigan, will focus on developing artificial intelligence models to generate trustworthy data for engineering design of complex devices.
Smitha Vishveshwara, a UIUC physics professor and author, has been honored for her work blending science teaching, theater, and art. Her award recognizes her innovative approach to communicating complex physics concepts through storytelling and artistic expression.
Researchers discovered a new in-between quantum state with a power law decay, which could make accessing these states easier and more reliable. This breakthrough opens up novel concepts for fundamental physics and potential applications in emerging fields like quantum computing.
Researchers at the University of Vermont found an exact solution to a model that behaves as a damped quantum harmonic oscillator. This discovery has significant implications for ultra-precision sensor technologies and the measurement of quantum distances.
Andreas Papaefstathiou's research will help elevate the study of particle physics in nuclear collisions at Kennesaw State University. The grant will also contribute to the development of a new particle collider in the US, strengthening partnerships between universities.
The book, co-authored by 29 contributors from over ten countries, offers an introduction to machine learning and deep neural networks for complex quantum problems. It serves as a timely guide for PhD students and researchers looking to apply modern machine learning methods to quantum physics and chemistry.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz receive EUR 180,000 to study ultracold neutrons and detect a 'forbidden' muon decay, key experiments in modern particle physics, with implications for the Standard Model and potential new physics discoveries.
Researchers aim to harness muon beams for higher collision energy, enabling breakthroughs in particle physics. The goal is to understand dark matter and the Higgs boson's role in the universe's birth and potential collapse.
Researchers have developed a new approach to regularize the theory of critical phenomena by generalizing statistical mechanics. The new method, based on non-additive entropy, provides finite values for quantities that diverge in traditional theories, offering insights into complex systems.
Professor Edward Thomas Jr. has been awarded the prestigious Star Dust Award by the International Dusty Plasma Community for his 30-year contributions to the field of dusty plasma physics. He is recognized for his groundbreaking research in magnetized dusty plasmas, including the development of novel experimental diagnostics.