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Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe


Researchers have uncovered a growing black hole heading toward a merger in the early universe

A team of researchers has discovered four sets of dual 'Little Red Dots' (LRDs) in the early universe, indicating a possible link between galaxy mergers and rapidly growing black holes. The findings suggest that black hole mergers could be responsible for the rapid growth of black holes in the early universe.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateAug 31, 2026

Researchers uncover how galaxies and their black holes grew 12.9 billion light years ago

Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to study 12 quasars from 12.9 billion years ago, revealing mature galaxies with active supermassive black holes. This challenges previous research suggesting black hole activity suppresses galaxy growth, instead showing a complex relationship between the two.

Astronomers witness the in situ spheroid formation in distant submillimetre-bright galaxies

Researchers found evidence of spheroid formation in distant submillimeter-bright galaxies, which challenges current understanding of galaxy evolution. The study provides the first solid observational evidence that spheroids can form directly through intense star formation within the cores of highly luminous starburst galaxies.

Researchers uncover link between quantum information theory and particle and condensed matter physics

Theoretical physicists establish a close connection between quantum information theory and non-invertible symmetries in particle and condensed matter theories. A recent study proves that any non-invertible symmetry operation is a quantum operation, providing a general property of these operations.

Researchers find gravitational lensing has significant effect on cosmic birefringence

New study finds that neglecting gravitational lensing in CMB polarization analysis leads to statistically rejected theories and biased model parameters. Researchers develop tool for correcting gravitational lensing effects, paving way for future missions to reveal nature of dark matter and dark energy.

Artificial intelligence finds the first stars were not alone

A team of researchers used machine learning to analyze elemental abundances in over 450 extremely metal-poor stars. The study found that 68% of these stars have a chemical fingerprint consistent with enrichment by multiple supernovae, providing the first quantitative constraint on the multiplicity of the first stars. This challenges th...

Researchers uncover the first bubble in an intergalactic stew

A team of researchers found the earliest evidence of heated gas in a galaxy protocluster, indicating temperatures characteristic of the present-day 'Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium'. This discovery provides insight into the mechanisms that caused the intergalactic gas to boil up and offers a unique window into the early universe.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 15, 2023

Researchers use gamma rays to detect small neighboring galaxy filled with dark matter

A team of researchers has detected a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way filled with dark matter using gamma-ray emissions. The discovery was initially thought to be indicative of dark matter annihilation, but further analysis reveals that millisecond pulsars are more likely to be the source of the emission.

Researchers capture the first example of an extremely bright, and fast-evolving astronomical event in the distant universe

Researchers have discovered a new type of transient phenomenon, the Fast Blue Ultraluminous Transient (FBUT), which is as bright as a superluminous supernova but evolves much faster. The team used the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam to capture the event for the first time and analyzed its multiband light curve data.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 13, 2022

Researchers use muonic x-rays to find elemental makeup of samples without damaging them

A team of researchers has developed a method for non-destructive 3D elemental analysis using muonic x-rays and a CdTe double-sided strip detector. This technique allows for the creation of 3D images of sample composition without damaging the material, with potential applications in archaeology and planetary science.

Researchers adapt technology made for astronomical observations to biomedical imaging

A team of researchers developed a biomedical imaging system using a semiconductor detector originally designed for space observations, and applied spectral analysis techniques from astronomy to create accurate images of radionuclides in small animals. The new method uses fitting to eliminate noise and improve spatial resolution.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 6, 2022

Scientists make a new type of optical device using alumina

Researchers from Kavli Institute and University of Minnesota create new optical element using alumina, improving telescope performance in studying cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. The innovation reduces reflections by fifty-fold, allowing for more efficient instruments to study the Big Bang and universe's evolution.

Theoretical proof that a strong force can create light-weight subatomic particles

A theoretical physicist has proved a decades-old claim that Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD) leads to light-weight pions, resolving the mystery of confinement. By using supersymmetry and anomaly mediation, Principal Investigator Hitoshi Murayama showed QCD indeed creates pions with extremely small mass.