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Knuckleball machine delivers soccer science

Scientists in France create a knuckleball machine to explore the zigzag secrets of one of football's most unpredictable shots, providing clues to much older scientific puzzles. The researchers discovered that unsteady lift forces and a specific velocity window contribute to the ball's erratic trajectory.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 12, 2016

Proteins put up with the roar of the crowd

Researchers found that proteins have quick access to target genes in cells despite crowding, thanks to dynamic movements of molecules. This discovery suggests that proteins can efficiently search and bind to DNA even in busy environments.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateJun 23, 2016

Thanks, actin, for the memories

Researchers at Rice University suggest that actin filaments play a key role in forming and storing long-term memories by stabilizing soluble cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding proteins (CPEB) into longer, insoluble prion-like fibers. This process is thought to aggregate and encode memories in neurons' synaptic regions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2016

Using statistics to predict rogue waves

Researchers have created a statistical model to forecast extreme waves, which are large and spontaneous ocean waves that can be deadly. The model uses joint statistics of multiple points in time or space to capture wave heights and turbulent air flows, greatly reducing complexity and obeying the Fokker-Planck equation.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 10, 2016

Tissue cartography

Two postdoctoral scholars from UC Santa Barbara's Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics developed a method called ImSAnE, which constructs an atlas of two-dimensional maps for dynamic tissue surfaces. This allows scientists to analyze layered tissues with relative ease and reduces data size and processing time.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 2, 2015

Identifying ever-growing disturbances leading to freak waves

Researchers have made significant progress in identifying growing localised patterns as early indicators of freak waves. By resolving the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, they can extract pertinent information from localised disturbances' characteristics, shedding light on complex dynamics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 28, 2015

Science: Theory of the strong interaction verified

A team of physicists has calculated the tiny neutron-proton mass difference using a powerful supercomputer, verifying the theory of the strong interaction. The finding confirms that neutrons are slightly more massive than protons, with a 0.14% difference, and opens up new possibilities for simulations of quarks and nuclear particles.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2015

New evidence for anthropic theory that fundamental physics constants underlie life-enabling universe

A new study by Professor Ulf-G Meißner finds that fundamental physics constants are fine-tuned to allow for the emergence of a life-enabling universe. The researcher used high-performance computers to simulate worlds with altered light quark masses and found that variations up to 2-3% do not prevent the formation of carbon and oxygen.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJan 16, 2015

As in a cloud

Physicists at Goethe University Frankfurt have used the COLTRIMS reaction microscope to demonstrate that the structure of the helium-3 molecule is a 'cloud' rather than a solid structure. The results resolve a long-standing dispute in theoretical physics and show that all possible configurations are equally probable.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 10, 2014

Cell's skeleton is never still

Researchers developed computer models that match experimental results, explaining the dynamic processes behind essential cell components. Microtubule stability is crucial for cell survival, and the study provides new insights into how cells maintain or dismantle these structures.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·DateNov 24, 2014

Twisted light waves sent across Vienna

Researchers sent twisted light beams across Vienna, encoding images and demonstrating increased data-carrying capacity. The technology could significantly increase data-rates in classical communication and make secret keys tougher to crack in quantum communication.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateNov 11, 2014

Biology meets geometry

Researchers describe the Terasaki ramps in the endoplasmic reticulum as spiral structures that connect parallel sheets, allowing for high density of ribosomes. This geometry is stable and minimizes energy, consistent with the laminar structure of the stacks.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 30, 2014

Winning by losing

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology and Washington University in St. Louis have confirmed a paradoxical laser effect, where energy loss can turn lasers on. By carefully tuning the amount of light lost through a chromium needle, they were able to switch the laser system on.

Transformative science

A new partnership between NSF, NCI, SU2C, and The V Foundation will explore transformative, theoretical biophysics for cancer research and treatment. This collaboration aims to merge life sciences with physical, computational, and engineering sciences to develop innovative approaches.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 8, 2014

NSF renews grant for biological physics research at Rice

The Center for Theoretical Biological Physics at Rice University has received a five-year, $11.75 million grant from the NSF to support its work on applying physical science to new aspects of the natural world. Researchers will develop concepts, models and methods that quantitatively describe processes in living systems.

Smaller accelerators for particle physics?

Smaller laser-plasma accelerators could accelerate particles to high energies, potentially reducing the cost of high-energy physics research and industrial applications. The new technology uses a combination of lasers to create an incoherent wakefield, which would allow for more sustainable and affordable accelerators.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateMay 27, 2014

All paths lead to Rome, even the path to condensed matter theory

Carlo Di Castro reflects on the development of theoretical condensed matter physics in Rome, highlighting key areas like superfluid helium, quantum systems, and high-temperature superconductors. He shares personal anecdotes about his research policy experiences and the evolution of his field.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateMar 10, 2014

Bats inspire 'micro air vehicle' designs

Researchers at Virginia Tech used experimental measurements and analysis software to understand how fruit bats use their wings to manipulate airflow. They found that bat wings can generate forces up to two-to-three times greater than a static airfoil wing, making them ideal for designing micro air vehicles with flapping wings.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateFeb 18, 2014