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OSIRIS-REx spies on the weird, wild gravity of an asteroid

The study finds that Bennu exists in a delicate balance between two competing forces, its wild spin creating a competition between gravity and centrifugal acceleration. This balance affects the asteroid's long-term evolution and potential demise.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 19, 2019

Sensing shakes

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new way to sense earthquakes using gravitational signals, which can detect seismic waves ahead of time. The method has been proven reliable with 7-sigma accuracy and could lead to improved early warning systems that save lives.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·DateMar 10, 2019
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.

Hubble's dazzling display of 2 colliding galaxies

NGC 6052 is a pair of colliding galaxies visible in the Hercules constellation, consisting of two galaxies merging due to gravity. The Milky Way will undergo a similar collision with Andromeda in approximately 4 billion years.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 8, 2019

Scientists track deep history of planets' motions, and effects on Earth's climate

Researchers have identified key aspects of planetary motions from a period around 200 million years ago, pushing the record back further than ever before. They used geological records to create a 'Geological Orrery', a precise history of solar system changes that can be extrapolated into the future.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 4, 2019

Asteroids are stronger, harder to destroy than previously thought

A Johns Hopkins study using a new computer modeling method simulates asteroid collisions and finds that larger objects are not as easily broken as previously thought. Instead, asteroids retain significant strength after impact due to the formation of a damaged core.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalIcarus·DateMar 4, 2019

The Milky Way in a twist

Astronomers have created a 3D picture of the Milky Way's outer regions using variable stars. The team found that the galaxy's S-like stellar disk is warped in a progressively twisted spiral pattern.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 4, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research uses Curiosity rover to measure gravity on Mars

Researchers repurposed data from NASA's Curiosity rover to measure the gravitational tug of Martian rocks, finding that lower slopes of Mount Sharp have lower density rock layers than predicted. This challenges a competing theory suggesting Gale Crater was once completely filled with sediment and excavated by erosion.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·DateJan 31, 2019

Scientists find 'new' science instrument on Mars rover Curiosity

Scientists have made the first surface gravity measurements on a planet other than Earth using NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. The rover's accelerometers, used for navigation, were calibrated to measure subtle changes in gravitational acceleration, providing new information about the subsurface of Mars.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience·DateJan 31, 2019

Saturn hasn't always had rings

A recent study using Cassini data estimates Saturn's ring mass to be around 40 percent of the moon Mimas' mass, indicating a relatively young age for the rings. The discovery also provides insight into Saturn's internal structure and atmospheric circulation patterns.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJan 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.

Faint glow within galaxy clusters illuminates dark matter

Astronomers have found a way to illuminate the elusive nature of dark matter by analyzing intracluster light from six massive galaxy clusters in the Frontier Fields program. The faint glow between galaxies in a cluster traces the path of dark matter, providing a more accurate understanding of its distribution.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 20, 2018
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.

LIGO and Virgo announce four new gravitational-wave detections

The LIGO and Virgo collaborations have detected 10 stellar-mass binary black hole mergers and one neutron star merger, with six of the black hole events previously reported. The new detections include GW170729, GW170809, GW170818, and GW170823, which are included in a new catalog of gravitational-wave events.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 3, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NIST atomic clocks now keep time well enough to improve models of Earth

The new NIST clock records set three important measures: systematic uncertainty, stability, and reproducibility. The clocks' total error drops below our general ability to account for gravity's effect on time here on Earth. This achievement enables the detection of faint signals from the early universe and perhaps dark matter.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateNov 28, 2018

Odd bodies, rapid spins keep cosmic rings close

Research finds that gravity and unique shapes of small objects in our solar system create and maintain their own rings. Astronomers discovered that rings around Chariklo and Haumea are confined by the object's irregularities, contradicting previous assumptions about moon-dominated ring systems.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 19, 2018
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.

Researchers simplify tiny structures' construction drip by drip

Princeton researchers have created a way to construct tiny structures, such as soft lenses for smartphones, using a simple method that doesn't require special equipment. The technique uses a liquid film and lasers to create precise patterns of droplets, resulting in uniform hexagonal structures.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2018

Enhanced views of Earth tectonics

Scientists have used satellite gravity data from the GOCE mission to image the structure of the Earth's lithosphere, revealing large-scale tectonic features and complex patterns in ancient cratons. These findings improve our understanding of Antarctica's deep structure and its connection to the rest of the planet.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2018
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.

Russian physicists observe dark matter forming droplets

Researchers developed a mathematical model describing motion of dark matter particles inside the smallest galaxy halos. They observed that over time, dark matter may form spherical droplets of quantum condensate. The study found that Bose-Einstein condensate can form in the centres of small halos, and it may produce Fast Radio Bursts.

SourceAKSON Russian Science Communication Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 22, 2018
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.

Searching for new bridge forms that can span further

Researchers have identified optimal bridge concepts that require minimal material volume, potentially making longer spans feasible. The proposed designs contain regions resembling a bicycle wheel and would be significantly lighter than traditional suspension bridge designs.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·DateSep 19, 2018

Printing with sound

Harvard researchers use acoustic forces to create a new technology that enables the printing of materials in a drop-on-demand manner. The technique expands possibilities for biopharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and optical materials, and is safe to use with sensitive biological cargo.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 31, 2018

The bark side of the force

Researchers from CNRS and Cirad have discovered that the bark of certain tree species generates forces that control tree growth and upright posture. This motor function was previously overlooked, but is now recognized as a crucial component of a tree's ability to grow vertically.

SourceCNRS·JournalNew Phytologist·DateAug 6, 2018
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.

Possible death of the universe scenario proposed

A new theory suggests that a dynamical system singularity may not be a physical reality, allowing the universe to evolve infinitely. The study, published in Physical Review D, proposes an alternate gravity model that includes quadratic scalar invariants and corresponds with Alexei Starobinsky's inflational theory.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJul 25, 2018

World's fastest man-made spinning object could help study quantum mechanics

Researchers at Purdue University have created a machine that spins at over 60 billion revolutions per minute, allowing them to study the properties of vacuum and its effects on materials. This breakthrough technology has the potential to advance our understanding of quantum mechanics and material science.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 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

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
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.

Surface clues to Jupiter's interior

A study suggests that Jupiter's surface jet streams could provide evidence for a rocky core at its center. Researchers used computer simulations to analyze data from NASA's Juno spacecraft, which found evidence of local variations in the planet's magnetic and gravity fields.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 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

Ice loss in Antarctica is increasingly contributing to global sea level rise

Scientists tracking Antarctica's ice mass loss conclude that the continent is losing an unprecedented amount of ice, resulting in a significant contribution to global sea level rise. The study reveals a threefold increase in ice loss since 2012, with West Antarctica experiencing the largest change.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2018

Data discrepancies may affect understanding of the universe

Researchers at UT Dallas developed a tool to identify inconsistencies in cosmological data, revealing potential errors in current models. The findings suggest that either systematic errors need to be removed or the underlying model is incomplete, leading to questions about Albert Einstein's theory of gravity.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJun 5, 2018
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.

NIST atomic clock comparison confirms key assumptions of 'Einstein's elevator'

Physicists at NIST have performed the most accurate test of Einstein's general relativity theory using remote atomic clocks. The experiment confirmed that measurements of nongravitational effects are independent of time and place, with a result consistent with predicted values.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 4, 2018

Firing up a new alloy

A new alloy is being developed through the testing of a sintering process in microgravity aboard the International Space Station. The investigation uses liquid phase sintering to study the degree of distortion caused by microgravity, with potential applications for space manufacturing and Earth-based industries.

SourceNASA/Johnson Space Center·DateMay 31, 2018

Space-like gravity weakens biochemical signals in muscle formation

Researchers at Hiroshima University found that space-like gravity affects the process of gene expression in muscle cells, leading to slower muscle development. DNA methylation is a key player in regulating muscle cell differentiation, with potential targets for treating skeletal muscle atrophy identified.

SourceHiroshima University·Journalnpj Microgravity·DateMay 23, 2018

Quarks feel the pressure in the proton

Scientists at Jefferson Lab measured the pressure distribution inside a proton for the first time, revealing a pressure cooker environment. The results show that quarks are subjected to a high outward-directed pressure near the center of the proton.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalNature·DateMay 16, 2018
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.

Why plants are so sensitive to gravity: The lowdown

Researchers discovered that plant statoliths exhibit fluid behavior due to molecular 'motors' stirring them about, enabling the detection of slightest gravity changes. This finding provides insight into what makes plants sensitive to gravity.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 2, 2018

New mechanism of radio emission in neutron stars revealed

Researchers from ITMO University have discovered a new mechanism for neutron star radio emission, based on the transitions of particles between gravitational states. This phenomenon is similar to laser amplification and was first observed in electrons on the surface of neutron stars, consistent with real experimental observations.

SourceITMO University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateApr 24, 2018

Can we tell black holes apart?

Astronomers used computer simulations to create images of accreting supermassive black holes in different gravity theories. They found that even highly non-Einsteinian black holes could mimic the appearance of standard black holes, highlighting the need for new techniques to distinguish them.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 17, 2018
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.

Hubble catches a colossal cluster

The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a massive galaxy cluster, revealing its intricate structure and the presence of dark matter. The cluster is comprised of thousands of galaxies held together by gravity, with most of its mass existing in non-luminous dark matter.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 13, 2018

The background hum of space could reveal hidden black holes

Researchers have developed a way to detect gravitational waves from faint black hole mergers, allowing them to study populations of black holes at vast distances. The new method is estimated to be one thousand times more sensitive than previous techniques, and will enable the detection of thousands of previously hidden black holes.

SourceMonash University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateApr 12, 2018

Aquaplaning in the geological underground

A study by GFZ scientists found that water pressure at the plate interface zone can lead to 'aquaplaning', initiating earthquakes. The researchers suggest that fluid pressure becomes close to lithostatic at deeper interfaces and lower at shallower ones, triggering catastrophic events.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 2, 2018

New math bridges holography and twistor theory

Physicist Yasha Neiman proposes a new vantage point on space-time geometry, combining holography and twistor theory to develop a full-fledged quantum gravitational theory. This framework aims to unify quantum mechanics and General Relativity, overcoming current challenges in fundamental theory.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of High Energy Physics·DateMar 29, 2018

Understanding gravity: The nanoscale search for extra dimensions

A team of researchers has successfully extended the search range of an exotic gravity to short distances, demonstrating the highest sensitivity reported to date. The study uses a high-intensity pulsed neutron beam at the J-PARC facility, allowing for precise measurements of gravitational interactions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 26, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Unveiling the depths of Jupiter's winds

Researchers used NASA's Juno spacecraft data to reveal that Jupiter's colorful bands are not just surface phenomena, but significant strata extending 3,000 km deep. The analysis shows that Jupiter's atmosphere is only 1% of its total mass, a surprising discovery.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2018

A new kind of star

Researchers have developed a novel mathematical model combining general relativity with quantum vacuum polarization, enabling the existence of ultracompact stars and new stellar configurations. The study suggests that these stars could be detectable in future gravitational wave observatories.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 8, 2018

JILA team invents new way to 'see' the quantum world

JILA scientists invent a novel imaging technique that combines spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy to create rapid, precise measurements of quantum behavior. The technique produces detailed spatial maps of energy shifts among atoms in a three-dimensional lattice, providing information about each atom's location and energy level.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2018
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.

Transportable optical clock used to measure gravitation for the first time

Researchers use a transportable optical atomic clock to measure gravitation for the first time, with potential applications in monitoring continental height changes and improving national height systems. The technique has the potential to resolve height differences as small as 1 cm across the Earth's surface.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 12, 2018

Seafloor data point to global volcanism after Chicxulub meteor strike

University of Oregon geologists discovered unusual seafloor structures indicating heightened worldwide magmatic activity 66 million years ago after the Chicxulub meteor struck. The research suggests seismic waves from the impact triggered accelerated volcanism globally, contributing to a mass extinction event.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 7, 2018