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Looking for dark matter

Physicists Rees McNally and Tanya Zelevinsky have proposed two novel methods of searching for dark matter by measuring tiny perturbations in fundamental constants. These methods involve using gravity sensors and LIGO gravitational wave detectors to detect a small extra 'push' or acceleration on normal matter caused by dark matter clumps.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 9, 2020

New type of pulsating star discovered

Astronomers have discovered a one-sided pulsator in the Milky Way, with citizen scientists providing crucial clues. The star's unusual single-sided pulsation is caused by its location in a binary star system with a red dwarf companion.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 9, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

How earthquakes deform gravity

A new algorithm can detect changes in gravity caused by earthquakes, potentially leading to earlier warnings and more accurate predictions. The signal is generated by the sudden shift in the earth's internal mass during an earthquake, and its detection could help identify strong earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 21, 2020

How to deflect an asteroid

Researchers develop framework to consider asteroid mass, momentum, and warning time to determine most successful deflection mission. The method could be used to design optimal mission configuration and campaign to deflect potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalActa Astronautica·DateFeb 19, 2020

Deconstructing Schrödinger's cat

Laloë's theory combines adding a random term to the Schrödinger equation with another concept from de Broglie and Bohm, relating quantum collapse to the universal gravitational field. This approach can be applied to both macroscopic objects like cats and atoms.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 14, 2020

Platform for deployable structures

Researchers developed a mechanical linkage containing bistable joints that can transform into stable, locked curves through state-transitioning wave propagation. The approach enables the creation of deployable 3D structures of arbitrary shapes with potential for larger-scale applications.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020
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.

Taking the temperature of dark matter

Researchers at the University of California, Davis used gravitational lensing to study dark matter's properties. They found that dark matter particles could be lighter and more rapidly-moving, which may affect galaxy formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 15, 2020
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.

Grasshoppers' response to gravity

The American grasshopper's circulatory system responds dramatically to changes in body position due to gravity, affecting blood and air distribution. Physiological compensation mechanisms similar to vertebrates suggest an ancient, widespread response to gravitational forces.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 13, 2020

Quantum expander for gravitational-wave observatories

Researchers have developed a novel 'quantum expander' to improve signal-to-noise ratio at kilohertz frequencies in gravitational-wave observatories. This innovative approach squeezes quantum uncertainty of laser light inside optical resonators, expanding detection bandwidth.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateDec 10, 2019

How Enceladus got its stripes

The study investigates the physical forces acting on Enceladus that allow the tiger stripe fissures to form and remain in place. The researchers found that the fissures could have formed on either pole, but the south pole's unique deformation led to their formation.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 9, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Trapping versus dropping atoms expands 'interrogation' to 20 seconds

A new approach to atom interferometers allows for highly sensitive measurements of gravity and could be used in tests of general relativity. The trapped atom design greatly enhances sensitivity and precision over previous iterations, improving the signal-to-noise ratio by over 10,000-fold.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 7, 2019

Hubble captures a dozen galaxy doppelgangers

The Hubble Space Telescope reveals a remote galaxy split into multiple images by gravitational lensing, allowing astronomers to study its structure and environment. The Sunburst Arc, 11 billion light-years away, resembles galaxies from an earlier time in the universe's history.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 7, 2019

WFIRST will add pieces to the dark matter puzzle

WFIRST's wide-field surveys will study galaxy distributions and dark matter effects, providing new insight into its fundamental nature. The mission aims to fill gaps in understanding dark matter, tracing its role in galaxy formation and evolution.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 31, 2019

Simulations explain giant exoplanets with eccentric, close-in orbits

Astronomers used computer simulations to explore the evolution of high-mass planetary systems, finding that collisional growth and gravitational interactions lead to eccentric orbits. The models suggest a crucial role for giant impacts in producing close-in giant planets with high masses.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 30, 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.

Putting the 'bang' in the Big Bang

Researchers simulated the critical reheating period at the end of cosmic inflation, which may have bridged the gap between inflation and the Big Bang. The simulations suggest that quantum effects could have redistributed energy quickly, producing conditions necessary for the start of the Big Bang.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 25, 2019

NSF invests in cyberinfrastructure institute to harness cosmic data

The NSF awards $2.8M to develop a Scalable Cyberinfrastructure Institute for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (SCIMMA) to analyze large-scale distributed data. The project aims to accelerate scientific discovery in multi-messenger astrophysics by facilitating global collaborations.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·DateOct 24, 2019

How to spot a wormhole (if they exist)

Physicists propose detecting wormholes by searching for small deviations in the orbit of stars near Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole. The technique could reveal the presence of traversable or non-traversable wormholes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysical Review D·DateOct 23, 2019

Searching for water

A team of researchers from the University of Delaware examined the age, origin, and sustainability of fossil aquifers in the Mega Aquifer System (MAS) in the Arabian Peninsula. They used a combination of geochemical analysis, satellite data, and field investigations to determine the quality and age of the water.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateOct 15, 2019
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.

Astronomers use giant galaxy cluster as X-ray magnifying lens

Researchers have successfully used a massive galaxy cluster as an X-ray magnifying glass to detect a tiny dwarf galaxy in its first, high-energy stages of star formation. The technique allows for the zooming in on extreme, distant X-ray-emitting phenomena and could be used to age-date different parts of a galaxy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateOct 14, 2019

A planet that should not exist

Astronomers detected a massive planet, GJ 3512b, orbiting the small red dwarf star GJ 3512, defying predictions of theoretical models. The discovery poses questions about planetary formation mechanisms and encourages further research.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience·DateSep 26, 2019

NASA visualization shows a black hole's warped world

A new NASA visualization reveals how a black hole distorts space, creating a warped view of its surroundings like a carnival mirror. The extreme gravity bends light from the accretion disk, producing a misshapen appearance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 25, 2019
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.

Bridge between quantum mechanics and general relativity still possible

A unified framework has been developed to account for the apparent breakdown between classical and quantum physics. Researchers tested this framework using a quantum satellite called Micius, where they produced and measured entangled particles. The results ruled out one version of the theory but left another open to testing.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalScience·DateSep 19, 2019

New hunt for dark matter

Researchers propose using gravitational-wave observatories to detect axions, which could be a type of dark matter. Axions are predicted to modulate light polarization and can be detected with existing laser-based experiments, offering a cost-effective solution to the hunt for dark matter.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 2019

The magic wavelength of cadmium

Researchers have found a magic wavelength in cadmium, enabling the creation of atomic clocks with unprecedented accuracy. This breakthrough could revolutionize time measurement and test new physics theories.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 14, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Researchers develop technique to de-ice surfaces in seconds

A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois and Kyushu University in Japan uses less than 1% of the energy required for traditional de-icing methods to melt a thin layer of ice at the surface interface, allowing it to slide off under gravity. This approach is more efficient and reduces system downtime.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 3, 2019

Where are new stars born? NASA's Webb Telescope will investigate

The TEMPLATES team will study four galaxies using gravitational lensing to magnify light and gain insights into star formation. They aim to measure star-formation rates, map galaxy distributions, compare young and old stellar populations, and reveal how galaxies grow over time.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 22, 2019
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.

When plant roots learned to follow gravity

Researchers studied root gravitropism across diverse plant species, finding it emerged slowly in ancient plants and became more efficient in seed plants. Key components of the mechanism include starch-filled organelles acting as gravity sensors and auxin polarization facilitating growth regulation.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 2, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Drinking red wine on the red planet

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that resveratrol supplementation preserved muscle function and mitigated muscle atrophy under Martian gravity. The study suggests that resveratrol could be a key dietary supplement to maintain musculoskeletal health on long-term Mars missions.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJul 18, 2019
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.

Hubble uncovers black hole that shouldn't exist

Researchers observed a supermassive black hole in galaxy NGC 3147 with an unusual thin disk of gas swirling around it, contrary to predictions. The team used Hubble Space Telescope's STIS instrument to study the disk, revealing unique features that can only be explained by Einstein's theories of relativity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 11, 2019
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.

Frozen sperm retains its viability in outer space conditions

Human sperm samples exposed to microgravity have shown no significant difference in viability compared to those on Earth. The study found 100% concordance in DNA fragmentation rate and vitality, and 90% concordance in sperm concentration and motility.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJun 23, 2019
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Researchers find quantum gravity has no symmetry

A new study by Hirosi Ooguri and Daniel Harlow finds that symmetry is not possible in quantum gravity when combined with the holographic principle. This breaks the long-held expectation of physicists and has several important consequences, including proton stability and magnetic monopole existence.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 19, 2019

Exomoons may be home to extra-terrestrial life

Researchers found that gravitational forces of an unseen moon outside the rings could cause gaps in the ring structure, but the effect is unlikely to be caused by a currently unseen moon.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 4, 2019

Jumping drops get boost from gravity

Using superhydrophobic surfaces and vertical condensers, the team found that combining surface tension and gravity increases condenser efficiency. This method sheds moisture more efficiently than relying solely on jumping droplets or gravity, benefiting power plants and other heat exchange systems.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJoule·DateMay 28, 2019
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.

GRACE data contributes to understanding of climate change

The GRACE mission has provided unprecedented insight into global water resources, measuring polar ice loss and ocean currents. The data has also highlighted the impact of drought and aquifer depletion worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 23, 2019

Hubble snaps a crowded cluster

Messier 75 is a globular cluster located approximately 67,000 light-years away from Earth in the Sagittarius constellation. The cluster features an enormous core with about 400,000 stars, making it one of the most densely populated clusters ever discovered.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 26, 2019

6.6 billion light years away: Neutron stars merger radiance observed

Astronomers have observed a unique X-ray signal from a binary neutron star merger 6.6 billion light years away, which is highly likely powered by a magnetar. This discovery provides new insights into the physics of neutron stars and challenges existing theories on the ending of a binary neutron star merger system.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateApr 17, 2019

Scientists find evidence Mercury has a solid inner core

Researchers found evidence of a solid inner core in Mercury, approximately 1,260 miles wide and making up half the planet's core. This discovery helps scientists better understand Mercury's interior and offers clues about how rocky planets change over time.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 17, 2019
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.

New research offers solution to riddle of ocean carbon storage

Researchers have identified a new pathway for ocean carbon storage, known as particle injection pumps (PIPs), which move just as much carbon as the biological gravitational pump. The study, published in Nature, provides a breakthrough solution to understanding how carbon reaches the deep ocean and its impact on the global climate.

SourceUniversity of Tasmania·JournalNature·DateApr 17, 2019

What Earth's gravity reveals about climate change

The GRACE satellite mission has revealed significant changes in Earth's gravitational field, providing insights into the terrestrial water cycle, ice sheet and glacier mass balance, and sea-level rise. The data highlights the effects of global warming on ice sheets and glaciers, as well as changes in freshwater storage and ocean dynamics.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 16, 2019

Hubble spots flock of cosmic ducks

Astronomers estimate that Messier 11 formed 220 million years ago and will disperse in a few million years as its stars are ejected by stronger gravitational forces.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 29, 2019

GRAVITY instrument breaks new ground in exoplanet imaging

The GRAVITY instrument has made the first direct observation of an exoplanet, revealing a complex atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. This achievement showcases the unique possibilities for characterising many known exoplanets.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMar 27, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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