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Simons Foundation


Magnetic ‘balding’ of black holes saves general relativity prediction

A team of researchers from the Flatiron Institute and Princeton University has found that the magnetic field around a black hole quickly decays when surrounded by plasma. This process, known as 'magnetic reconnection,' rapidly drains the magnetic field and could explain flares seen near supermassive black holes.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2021

Quantum physicists crack mystery of 'strange metals,' a new state of matter

Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and Cornell University developed a robust theoretical model of strange metals, revealing their existence as a new state of matter. The model shows that strange metals exhibit properties linked to temperature and fundamental constants, with surprising connections to black holes and high-temperature ...

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2020

New causes of autism found in 'junk' DNA

Researchers used machine learning to analyze whole genomes of 1,790 individuals with autism and their unaffected parents and siblings. Noncoding mutations were found to be comparable in number to protein-coding mutations causing gene disablement.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 27, 2019

Gravitational waves will settle cosmic conundrum

Measurements of gravitational waves from binary neutron stars will definitively resolve the debate on the universe's expansion rate. By observing 50 binary neutron stars over the next decade, scientists can calculate the Hubble constant accurately, resolving the conflict between conflicting measurements.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 14, 2019

How black holes power plasma jets

Astronomers have discovered that particle escapees from black holes steal rotational energy through interactions with magnetic fields, resulting in high-speed plasma jets. The new simulations show two main mechanisms: the Blandford-Znajek process and a particle-boosting mechanism near the equator.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 29, 2019

New universe simulation prompts breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics

A new universe simulation model, IllustrisTNG, provides fresh insights into how black holes influence dark matter distribution, heavy element production, and magnetic field origins. The simulation reveals a high degree of realism in predicting galaxy clustering patterns and the influence of supermassive black holes on the cosmos.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 31, 2018

Olga Troyanskaya brings order to big data of human biology

A multi-year study by Olga Troyanskaya and her team identified 144 functional gene interaction networks for organs as diverse as the kidney, liver, and whole brain. The technique, NetWAS, combines quantitative genetics with functional genomics to increase the power of GWAS and identify genes underlying complex human diseases.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 27, 2015

Autism's genetic architecture comes into focus

A groundbreaking study has identified over two dozen high-confidence autism genes, shedding light on the disorder's genetic architecture. The research also reveals a difference in genetic basis between 'higher-IQ' and 'lower-IQ' autism, with implications for early interventions.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature·DateOct 29, 2014