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Cosmology in a Petri dish

Scientists studying micron-size particles trapped at fluid interfaces found a collective dynamic governed by seemingly unrelated laws. The study uses numerical simulations to model long-range gravitational attraction, which transitions to short-range attractive and repulsive forces at certain length scales.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJan 26, 2012

1 clock with 2 times

Researchers at the University of Vienna aim to measure general relativistic time on a quantum scale by exploiting quantum interference and complementarity. They consider a single clock in a superposition of two locations, one closer and one further away from Earth, where gravity's effects are different.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2011

Escaping gravity's clutches: The black hole breakout

New research by University of York scientists proposes that quantum mechanics could be the key to understanding how black holes work, potentially allowing information to escape. The study's findings suggest a possible breakthrough in our understanding of gravity and its relationship with space and time.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 10, 2011

AGU Journal highlights -- Nov. 4, 2010

Scientists have discovered a connection between the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation, with QBO signals exhibiting weaker amplitudes and faster cycles during El Niño conditions. Additionally, a new method separates pollution's effects on clouds from sea spray's influence, revealing distinct...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 4, 2010

Ironing out the causes of wrinkles

Researchers explore how wrinkles adapt to edges and quantify their formation, providing insights into biological tissue and material properties. They find that surface tension forces films to lie flat near the edge, while gravity prefers shallow ripples in the center.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 15, 2010

Quantum gas in free fall

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute and University of Hanover generate a Bose-Einstein condensate in zero gravity, extending measurement time by over tenfold. The experiment uses an atom chip to study the effects of gravitational fields on quantum gases.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJun 22, 2010

Yellowstone's plumbing exposed

Researchers have imaged Yellowstone's plumbing using seismic waves, revealing a plume of hot rock rising from the northwest at a depth of at least 410 miles. The new findings suggest a larger magma chamber than previously thought, potentially leading to an even more catastrophic eruption.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research·DateDec 13, 2009

The link between weight and importance

A study published in Psychological Science found that carrying a heavy clipboard increased volunteers' judgment of the value of foreign currencies and the importance of social justice issues. The researchers propose that this effect may be linked to embodied cognition, where bodily experiences shape mental processes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 31, 2009

The day the universe froze

A new dark energy model proposes a cosmological phase transition, where the universe 'froze' about 11.5 billion years ago, causing it to expand at an ever-increasing rate. This theory attributes dark energy to a field dubbed quintessence, which acts as an antigravity agent and is spread uniformly throughout space.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMay 8, 2009

Duke physicists see the cosmos in a coffee cup

Researchers found that the 'caustic curve' shape, seen in sunlight reflections on water or boat hulls, is connected to gravitational lensing effects in distant galaxies. The discovery could enable scientists to map dark matter clumps using caustic violations.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Mathematical Physics·DateApr 14, 2009

After the collapse

Scientists have directly observed a gigantic star blowing up, supporting the idea that massive stars end as black holes. The explosion revealed most of the star's mass collapsed into a dense core, creating an invisible black hole.

Big and small dents

The GOCE satellite will study global ocean currents, ocean topography, and the structure of the Earth's crust with unprecedented precision. The satellite's high-resolution gravity mapping will enhance our understanding of climate change.