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A new approach for solving the dark energy mystery

Researchers propose a new interpretation of dark energy, linking zero-point fluctuations to polarisability of the vacuum. This leads to an energy density that can be calculated and matches measured values for the cosmological constant.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 25, 2023

First glimpse of what gravity looks like on cosmological scales

A team of cosmologists has reconstructed gravity to find a more robust way of understanding the cosmos, using new observational data from space and ground-based telescopes. The study explores whether modifying General Relativity could help resolve open problems in cosmology, with promising results that could pave the way for resolving ...

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 4, 2022

From Graphene to Gravity: Exploring the Physics of Emergence

The book delves into the concept of emergence in two domains: condensed matter physics and quantum gravity. It reveals surprising connections between seemingly disparate areas of physics, shedding light on how mysterious materials work and the origins of space and time.

SourceFoundational Questions Institute, FQXi·DateNov 3, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The road to the first image of the black hole at the center of our galaxy

The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration successfully captured an image of the black hole at the center of our galaxy, a major breakthrough in astrophysics. This achievement will enable scientists to test fundamental predictions of general relativity and gain insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies.

SourceWiley·JournalNatural Sciences·DateSep 21, 2022
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.

A step towards quantum gravity

Researchers build on Peter Bergmann and Arthur Komar's work using Hamilton-Jacobi techniques to resolve the ambiguity in time development, a key challenge in reconciling general relativity with quantum mechanics. This approach deserves more recognition for its potential to lead to an eventual theory of quantum gravity.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateAug 12, 2022

Using holograms to illuminate de Sitter space

Scientists at Kyoto University propose a novel approach using holograms to approximate the universe's expansion in de Sitter space. The model uses conformal field theory and a positive integer for the cosmological constant, enabling the identification of the first example of two-dimensional CFT.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 19, 2022

AI reveals unsuspected math underlying search for exoplanets

A machine learning algorithm has outperformed astronomers in analyzing microlensing data to find new exoplanets, revealing connections hidden in complex mathematics from general relativity. The AI algorithm uncovered a degeneracy that had been missed by experts, suggesting a broader theory is likely incomplete.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 24, 2022

Astronomers snap first-ever image of supermassive black hole Sagitarrius A*

A team of astronomers, including those from MIT's Haystack Observatory, has captured the light around our own supermassive black hole, revealing for the first time an image of Sagitarrius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The resulting image reveals SgrA* in a glowing, donut-shaped ring of light.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 12, 2022
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.

Researchers synthesize carbon nanosolenoid with Riemann surfaces

The researchers successfully synthesized π-extended nanographene carbon nanosolenoid (CNS) material with continuous spiral graphene planes, matching the structure of Riemann surface. CNS exhibited special photoluminescence and magnetic properties, including red-shifted emission band and large thermal hysteresis.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 6, 2022

Moon’s orbit proposed as a gravitational wave detector

Researchers from UAB and UCL propose using the Earth-Moon System as a natural gravitational wave detector, capable of detecting signals from the early universe. By analyzing minute deviations in the Moon's orbit, they aim to uncover secrets about the cosmos.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 17, 2022

Mathematical discovery could shed light on secrets of the Universe

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered a simplified model for quantum gravity called the 'holographic principle' that describes how gravity emerges from quantum mechanics. This breakthrough may also offer new insights into mysterious dark energy.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2022

Dark energy: Neutron stars will tell us if it’s only an illusion

Researchers used simulations to compare Einstein's theory and modified gravity, finding that 'dark gravity' may be equally good at explaining data from binary neutron star collisions. This could lead to the discovery of new phenomena detectable by next-generation gravitational interferometers.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 3, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

JILA atomic clocks measure Einstein's general relativity at millimeter scale

Physicists have measured Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity at the smallest scale ever, demonstrating time dilation effects between two tiny atomic clocks separated by just a millimeter. The experiments suggest a way to make atomic clocks 50 times more precise than today's best designs.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Gravitational waves: LISA and the detection of new fundamental fields

Researchers suggest LISA can detect scalar fields interacting with gravity, providing strong bounds on theories beyond General Relativity. Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals offer a unique probe of the strong-field regime of gravity.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 2022

The uneven universe

Researchers develop new model using Mori-Zwanzig formalism to account for uneven matter distribution in the universe. The model predicts a deviation in cosmic expansion speed, offering an opportunity for experimental testing and resolving the enigma of dark energy.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeNews article·DateDec 3, 2021

Jet from giant galaxy M87: Computer modelling explains black hole observations

Theoretical physicists modelled the region around M87's supermassive black hole, confirming that gravity plays a key role in accelerating particles out to thousands of light years. The findings provide further evidence for Einstein's theory of general relativity and its application to astrophysical phenomena.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 4, 2021

First detection of light from behind a black hole

Researchers have made the first direct observation of light from behind a black hole, confirming a key prediction by Einstein's theory of general relativity. The discovery was made using X-rays emitted by a supermassive black hole at a galaxy 800 million light-years away.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 28, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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

How to retard time for cells

Heavy water significantly reduces cellular dynamics without damaging cells, a finding with implications for organ transplants and tissue storage. The study's results suggest increased interaction between structural proteins and reversible effects, paving the way for further research into this phenomenon.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 4, 2021

Microscopic wormholes possible in theory

Researchers develop theoretical model suggesting microscopic wormholes could be traversable without exotic matter, using Dirac field to describe probability density function of particles. The model proposes that certain elementary particles like electrons and electromagnetic waves could traverse tiny tunnels in spacetime.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 9, 2021

Factoring in gravitomagnetism could do away with dark matter

A new general relativistic framework for models of galactic rotation curves alleviates the need for dark matter by incorporating gravitomagnetic fields. The theory proposes that these fields can explain the effects of dark matter, suggesting a possible elimination of this form of matter.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateMar 4, 2021

Record-breaking laser link could help us test whether Einstein was right

Scientists have achieved a record-breaking transmission of a laser signal through the atmosphere, eliminating turbulence. This breakthrough enables precise time comparisons and has exciting applications in fundamental physics research, including testing Einstein's theory of general relativity.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2021
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.

Black hole 'family portrait' is most detailed to date

A team of scientists has created the most detailed family portrait of black holes to date, analyzing gravitational-wave data from LIGO and Virgo detectors. The study reveals new clues about black hole formation and tests Einstein's theory of general relativity, passing all tests with flying colors.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateOct 28, 2020

Young physicist 'squares the numbers' on time travel

A young University of Queensland undergraduate student has developed a mathematical model that suggests paradox-free time travel is theoretically possible. The research reconciles traditional dynamics and Einstein's Theory of Relativity, potentially resolving long-standing puzzles in physics.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateSep 23, 2020

Cosmic cataclysm allows precise test of general relativity

The study confirms that the speed of light is constant in vacuum, as predicted by Einstein's general relativity theory. No energy-dependent time delay was detected in the arrival times of gamma rays from a high-energy gamma-ray burst, supporting GR. Strong constraints on the quantum gravity energy scale were also set.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 9, 2020

Black hole team discovers path to razor-sharp black hole images

Researchers predict a nested series of rings within black hole images, with each successive ring becoming increasingly sharper due to its higher number of orbits around the black hole. This discovery enables new possibilities for observing black holes using only two telescopes far apart.

SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
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.

Black holes sometimes behave like conventional quantum systems

Researchers at Skoltech found that black holes thermalize through the same mechanism as conventional quantum systems, providing insight into quantum gravity. The study confirms the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis in spatially-extended systems, a long-sought proof.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2019

Providing a solution to the worst-ever prediction in physics

Physicist Lucas Lombriser proposes a new mathematical manipulation of general relativity equations to harmonize theory and observation on the cosmological constant. Theoretical value is 0.704%, close to the best experimental estimate, resolving a 10121-year discrepancy.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhysics Letters B·DateAug 29, 2019

Black hole holograms

Japanese researchers propose a novel holographic framework to simulate black holes with a laboratory experiment. This setup can provide insight into the fundamental laws governing the cosmos at both tiny and vast scales.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 19, 2019

What the brains of people with excellent general knowledge look like

The brains of individuals with exceptional general knowledge exhibit efficient structural networking, allowing for better information integration and recall. This is evident in a recent study where participants with more efficient fibre networks scored higher on the Bochum Knowledge Test.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalEuropean Journal of Personality·DateJul 31, 2019

NIST's quantum logic clock returns to top performance

NIST's quantum logic clock has reclaimed its title as the world's most precise atomic clock, with a systematic uncertainty of 9.4×10^-19, outperforming both NIST's ytterbium and strontium lattice clocks. However, it lags behind in stability, measuring 1.2×10^15 for a 1-second measurement.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 15, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Astronomers capture first image of a black hole

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole, located 55 million light-years from Earth. The image reveals the black hole's mass is 6.5-billion times that of the Sun.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 10, 2019

Astronomers capture first image of a black hole

The Event Horizon Telescope project has captured the first-ever image of a black hole, located at the heart of galaxy Messier 87. The image reveals a ring-like structure with a dark central region, confirming our understanding of general relativity.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 10, 2019

Beyond the black hole singularity

Loop quantum gravity allows physicists to extend gravitational physics beyond general relativity's limitations, enabling the analysis of black hole interiors. The theory predicts a repulsive force that can overwhelm classical gravity, potentially resolving the information paradox at black holes.

SourcePenn State·DateDec 20, 2018

Theory of general relativity proven yet again in new research

A team of astronomers tested Einstein's theory of general relativity using a three-star system and found almost no detectable difference between the pulsar and inner white dwarf, indicating little room for alternative theories of gravity. The study confirms that relativity still applies even in extreme gravity systems.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateJul 4, 2018
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Even phenomenally dense neutron stars fall like a feather

An international team of astronomers tested the Strong Equivalence Principle using a unique triple star system. They found that even extremely dense neutron stars fall at the same rate as lighter objects, confirming Einstein's general theory of relativity.

SourceGreen Bank Observatory·JournalNature·DateJul 4, 2018

Einstein proved right in another galaxy

An international team confirms Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity by making the most precise test of gravity outside our solar system. By combining data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, the researchers found that gravity behaves as predicted by GR on galactic s...

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalScience·DateJun 21, 2018

Lobachevsky Medal and prize awarded to Richard Schoen

Richard Schoen was awarded the Lobachevsky Medal for his work on positive energy in general relativity and a complete solution to the Yamabe problem. The prize is part of Kazan Federal University's efforts to revive a tradition from 1895, with an award amount of $75,000 and recognition as a biennial honor.

SourceKazan Federal University·DateDec 26, 2017

Doing without dark energy

Three mathematicians argue that Einstein's General Relativity theory predicts cosmic acceleration due to an instability, contradicting the need for dark energy. The unstable Friedmann space-time exhibits accelerating local space-times with similar cosmic accelerations as dark energy theories.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateDec 13, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Physicist assumes the possibility of vestiges of an Universe previous to the Big Bang

Brazilian researcher Juliano Cesar Silva Neves challenges the standard cosmological model by proposing the elimination of the spacetime singularity and the possibility of a prior contraction phase. The current expansion may be preceded by contraction, with potential vestiges still present in the universe.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGeneral Relativity and Gravitation·DateNov 27, 2017

Russian scientists have found flaws in popular theories of gravity

Researchers at Ural Federal University found that a popular theory of gravity is flawed when applied to real-world astrophysical conditions. They propose new Horndeski models to stabilize black holes, addressing modern physics prerequisites and inconsistencies. The study aims to develop a new theory of gravity meeting all requirements.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateOct 26, 2017

Breaking the rules: Heavy chemical elements alter theory of quantum mechanics

Researchers at Florida State University found that the heaviest and rarest elements do not follow traditional rules of quantum mechanics. Instead, Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity governs their behavior, revealing unusual chemistry patterns. The study sheds new light on these lesser-known elements.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 3, 2017
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.

Einstein's 'impossible hope' comes true: Weighing a star with gravity

Scientists have successfully observed a white dwarf star using the bending of distant starlight by gravity, allowing them to determine its mass for the first time. This observation demonstrates a way to measure the masses of objects that cannot be easily measured by other means.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2017

Seeing quadruple: Four images of the same supernova, a rare find

Astronomers detected four images of the same supernova, a rare find, due to precise alignment with a foreground galaxy. This extreme case of gravitational lensing offers opportunities to study Type Ia supernovae and their role in cosmology.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 20, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Peering into black holes using an Earth-sized telescope

Researchers are creating the first images of a supermassive black hole's event horizon using an Earth-sized telescope. The project aims to test predictions from Einstein's general relativity theory by studying the shadow, mass, and spin of the black hole.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateApr 5, 2017

Explaining the accelerating expansion of the universe without dark energy

A Hungarian-American team suggests that standard models of the universe fail to account for its changing structure, eliminating the need for dark energy. The new model shows how the formation of complex structures affects the expansion, providing an alternative explanation for the acceleration.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 30, 2017

Does the universe have a rest frame?

An experiment aims to resolve divergence between special relativity and standard model of cosmology by precisely measuring particle mass. The results may indicate whether the universe has a resting frame.

SourceSpringer·DateMar 21, 2017

'Blurred times' in a quantum world

Researchers demonstrate that clocks placed next to each other necessarily disturb each other, causing a universal limitation on measuring time. This effect is independent of clock mechanism or material, highlighting the need to re-examine our ideas about time in both quantum mechanics and general relativity.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2017

Theory that challenges Einstein's physics could soon be put to the test

Researchers have predicted a testable figure for the spectral index, which could confirm their theory that the speed of light was variable in the early universe. The team's model suggests a value of 0.96478, close to current estimates, and could lead to modifications of Einstein's theory of gravity.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPhysical Review D·DateNov 25, 2016
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

The 1950s: The decade in which gravity physics became experimental

The 1950s saw significant advancements in gravity physics through experiments, transforming it into an accepted field of physical science. Robert Dicke's research group pioneered this shift, uncovering empirical evidence that substantiates Einstein's general relativity theory.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateOct 18, 2016

Cosmology: Lore of lonely regions

Researchers from LMU Munich analyzed data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to calculate the dynamics of cosmic voids. Their findings demonstrate that the analysis of voids is a suitable approach to investigating gravity in empty regions and determining the total density of matter in the universe.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 16, 2016