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Astronomers’ theory of how galaxies formed may be upended

Astronomers at Case Western Reserve University have questioned the long-held standard model for galaxy formation, instead suggesting that modified gravity theories may be responsible. The James Webb Space Telescope's data suggests large and bright galaxies formed rapidly, contradicting predictions of dark matter's role.

Ancient rocks may bring dark matter to light

A Virginia Tech-led team is searching for signs of dark matter in billion-year-old rocks. By analyzing crystal lattice structures, they aim to uncover miniature trails of destruction left by long-ago dark matter interactions.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Shrouded in axions

Researchers from the Universiteit van Amsterdam and other institutions show that axion clouds around neutron stars could provide a new way to observe these elusive particles. The formation and properties of these clouds are studied, offering new opportunities for axion research and potentially solving the dark matter puzzle.

Found hundreds of species using DNA barcoding

Researchers used DNA barcoding to identify 31,800 insect samples from 37 habitats in Sweden, discovering 175 new species of scuttle flies. The study provides insights into the diversity and distribution of these species, which are influenced by climate factors and habitat changes.

Glimmers of antimatter to explain the "dark" part of the universe

A recent study suggests that the observation of antihelium nuclei in cosmic rays may be consistent with the existence of WIMP particles, which could make up dark matter. The detection of two distinct isotopes, antihelium-3 and -4, is particularly intriguing as heavier nuclei are unlikely to be produced through natural processes.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Research sheds light on large-scale cosmic structures

A new study identifies regions where gravity dominates, such as the Sloan Great Wall and Shapley Supercluster, suggesting that our Milky Way likely resides in the larger Shapley basin. The research provides an unprecedented look into the gravitational landscape of the local Universe.

How special is the Milky Way Galaxy?

The SAGA Survey has found that the Milky Way Galaxy appears to be an outlier in terms of its satellite galaxies, having acquired only two large satellites recently compared to other systems. The survey also explores the mechanisms that would stop star formation in these small galaxies, finding that environmental factors play a role.

Magnifying deep space through the “carousel lens”

A newly discovered cluster-scale strong gravitational lens, the Carousel Lens, enables researchers to study cosmology and the properties of dark matter and dark energy. The unique alignment of seven background galaxies forms concentric circular patterns around a foreground galaxy cluster.

A wobble from Mars could be sign of dark matter, MIT study finds

Researchers suggest that if most dark matter is composed of microscopic primordial black holes, they should pass through the solar system at least once per decade, introducing a wobble into Mars' orbit. This detection could lend support to the idea that primordial black holes are a primary source of dark matter.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Study: Early dark energy could resolve cosmology’s two biggest puzzles

A new study proposes that early dark energy could explain the formation of numerous bright galaxies in the early universe, resolving the 'Hubble tension' puzzle. The team modeled galaxy formation with a brief appearance of early dark energy, finding it fits observations and solves both puzzles.

AI helps distinguish dark matter from cosmic noise

A deep-learning algorithm developed by astronomer David Harvey can untangle the complex signals of self-interacting dark matter and AGN feedback in galaxy cluster images. The Inception model achieved an accuracy of 80% under ideal conditions, showcasing its potential for analyzing vast amounts of space data.

LZ experiment sets new record in search for dark matter

The LZ experiment has narrowed down possibilities for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a leading candidate for dark matter. The new results explore weaker interactions than ever searched before and limit what WIMPs could be, finding no evidence above a mass of 9 GeV/c².

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Astrophysicists use AI to precisely calculate universe’s ‘settings’

Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and colleagues used AI-powered approach, SimBIG, to estimate five cosmological parameters with precision. The method significantly improved previous results, yielding less than half the uncertainty and closely agreeing with other estimates based on observations.

A galactic conspiracy disproven

An international team of astronomers has disproven a 'conspiracy' that stars and dark matter interact in inexplicable ways. By using advanced modeling techniques, they found that the similarity in galaxy density is due to how astronomers measured and modeled galaxies, rather than an actual interaction between stars and dark matter.

Nanohertz gravitational waves are cool but not supercool

A new study published in Physical Review Letters suggests that nanohertz gravitational waves may not originate from supercool first-order phase transitions. Researchers found that such transitions would struggle to complete, shifting the frequency of the waves away from nanohertz frequencies.

A camera trap for the invisible

A new AI-powered image recognition technique could help scientists detect dark matter at the LHC by flagging fleeting tracks before collisions occur. The technique, developed by Ashutosh Kotwal and his team, processes images in under 250 nanoseconds and weeds out uninteresting data points.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Dark matter seen through a forest

Researchers used hydrogen to track dark matter's presence in the universe, revealing a tension between observations and theoretical predictions. The findings suggest that an unknown particle or new physics may be responsible for this discrepancy.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Gravitational waves hint at dark matter and Big Bang mysteries

Researchers propose that simple forms of ultra-light scalar field matter could generate detectable gravitational wave backgrounds soon after the Big Bang. This discovery could shed light on dark matter and its role in the universe's mass, offering a new avenue for fundamental physics research.

NASA’s Hubble traces dark matter in dwarf galaxy using stellar motions

A team of astronomers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to create the most accurate three-dimensional understanding of stars' movements within the Draco dwarf galaxy. This allowed them to build a more precise model of dark matter distribution, which aligns with cosmological models and suggests a cusp-like structure.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Is dark matter made of black holes?

A team of scientists from the University of Warsaw detected a population of massive black holes, which could comprise at most a few percent of dark matter. The findings were published in Nature and the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.

A million light years and still going

Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that the rotation curves of galaxies remain flat for millions of light years, defying expectations and challenging traditional understanding of cosmology. This finding suggests that dark matter may not exist or that alternative gravity theories could explain this phenomenon.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Exotic black holes could be a byproduct of dark matter

Researchers suggest microscopic, ultradense black holes formed in first quintillionth of a second after Big Bang may have produced smaller, super-charged black holes with unprecedented nuclear charge. These tiny, 'super-charged' black holes could have influenced atomic nucleus formation and detection.

The case of the missing black holes

Researchers propose a novel approach to correct the leading model of primordial black hole (PBH) formation, aligning with cosmic microwave background observations. This could imply fewer PBHs than expected, potentially affecting the dark matter theory and gravitational wave events.

UC Irvine astronomers’ simulations support dark matter theory

The study uses computer simulations to test two models of the universe, finding that features observed in real galaxies can be explained by both models. However, the team also found that such features only appear in their simulations when there is both dark matter and normal matter present.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Technical Trials for Easing the (Cosmological) Tension

A new study has sorted through models attempting to solve the cosmological tension, a discrepancy between two ways of calculating the universe's expansion. Three models that were previously viable solutions were excluded by the new data, while others reduced the tension but not solved it.

Study uses thermodynamics to describe expansion of the Universe

Researchers used thermodynamics to describe the expansion of the Universe, finding that adiabatic and anisotropic effects are accompanied by cooling due to the barocaloric effect. The study proposes a novel way to investigate anisotropic effects associated with the expansion of the Universe.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Neutron stars are key to understanding elusive dark matter

Physicists calculated that neutron stars can heat up quickly due to energy transfer from dark matter particles, providing a potential way to detect dark matter. This process could reveal the nature of dark matter and its interactions with regular matter.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Scientists propose a new way to search for dark matter

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory propose detecting thermalized dark matter, which builds up on Earth's surface, using quantum sensors. The study suggests that superconducting quantum devices could be redesigned to detect low-energy galactic dark matter particles.

New research suggests that our universe has no dark matter

A new study by University of Ottawa physicist Rajendra Gupta challenges the existence of dark matter in the universe. Using the covarying coupling constants and tired light theories, Gupta's research finds that the universe does not require dark matter to exist.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Finding new physics in debris from colliding neutron stars

Researchers have discovered unique electromagnetic signals in the debris of a neutron star merger, which could provide new constraints on axion-like particles and their potential role in dark matter. The findings were made using data from NASA's Fermi-LAT gamma-ray telescope.

The Radcliffe Wave is waving

Astronomers have discovered a massive, wave-shaped structure in the Milky Way, which is oscillating through space-time. The Radcliffe Wave is approximately 9,000 light years long and moves like a traveling wave, with star clusters along its path moving up and down.

Bright galaxies put dark matter to the test

A team of astrophysicists used simulations to track galaxy formation near the Big Bang, including interactions between gas and dark matter. The results show that tiny, bright galaxies were formed more quickly than expected, challenging current theories about dark matter.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Study: Stars travel more slowly at Milky Way’s edge

A team of MIT physicists analyzed Gaia and APOGEE data to find stars farther out in the galactic disk are rotating more slowly than expected. This flat rotation curve indicates a lower mass galactic core, potentially containing less dark matter than previously estimated.

Deep underground laboratory will be a first for Africa

The Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory (PAUL) will be a game-changer for universities in South Africa and its partners, offering benefits through new jobs and research opportunities. The laboratory will enable scientists to study dark matter and neutrinos in a radiation-free environment.

New dark matter theory explains two puzzles in astrophysics

A new theory, self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), proposes that dark matter particles interact through a dark force, explaining high-density halos and low-density halos of ultra-diffuse galaxies. SIDM simulates cosmic structure formation with strong dark matter self-interactions, diversifying halo density in central regions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Downloading NASA’s dark matter data from above the clouds

A new recovery system designed by University of Sydney scientists allowed the retrieval of gigabytes of information after a NASA telescope was damaged in landing. The system, which includes parachutes and SD cards, proved essential to the mission's success and has been tested for use in future science missions.

Milky Way-like galaxy found in the early universe

Researchers found a barred spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way at a redshift of 3, challenging previous understanding of galaxy evolution. The discovery suggests that galaxies matured and became ordered much faster than thought, with implications for theories of galaxy formation and evolution.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

New research sheds light on early galaxy formation

A new computer simulation of the early universe aligns with JWST observations, showing no discrepancy with theoretical expectations. The 'Renaissance simulations' track dark matter clumps and galaxy formation, consistent with models that dictate cosmic physics.

Biggest ever supercomputer simulation to investigate Universe’s evolution

Researchers have carried out the largest ever computer simulations to investigate the Universe's evolution, taking into account ordinary matter and dark energy. The FLAMINGO simulations provide a detailed picture of virtual galaxies and galaxy clusters, allowing for comparisons with observations from new high-powered telescopes.