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Zooming in: Electron orbitals photographed in 3D

Physicists have developed a method to visualize three-dimensional wavefunctions of molecules, enabling the study of molecular interactions. The technique, which uses a table-top soft-X-ray laser and powerful computer algorithms, allows for the imaging of features smaller than atomic scales.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Quark-like wave modes help stabilize fragile fractional vortices

Researchers stabilize fractional orbital angular momentum modes by confining them into stable integer-charged composite states. This 'locally fractional, globally integer' behavior provides a new route to control fractional vortices.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 3, 2026

A new class of strange one-dimensional particles

Researchers have identified a new class of one-dimensional particles, dubbed anyons, which exhibit properties between bosons and fermions. The discovery opens up new possibilities for investigating fundamental physics in realistic experimental settings.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2026
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.

What waves know about their surroundings

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a theory to extract information from waves, allowing for precise measurements of objects in space. The theory reveals that the information content of a wave depends on its interaction with the object's properties, enabling customised waves to be generated for optimal information transfer.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Scientists demonstrate time reflection of electromagnetic waves in a groundbreaking experiment

Researchers at CUNY ASRC detail a breakthrough experiment in which they observed time reflections of electromagnetic signals in a tailored metamaterial. The effect causes a significant portion of the broadband signals to be instantaneously time reversed and frequency converted, forming a strange echo.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2023

A perfect trap for light

A team of researchers from TU Wien and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a 'light trap' that absorbs light perfectly in thin layers. This method uses mirrors and lenses to steer the light beam into a circle and then superimpose it on itself, preventing the light from escaping.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Are our oil and gas pipelines safe during an earthquake?

Scientists have discovered that current methods for calculating stress received by underground pipelines during an earthquake are inaccurate, leading to a significant risk assessment. The new theory of seismic wave propagation addresses this issue, highlighting the need for modernization and replacement of existing pipelines.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalApplied Sciences·DateApr 16, 2021

Theoreticians finally prove that 'curly arrows' tell the truth about chemical reactions

Researchers bridge the gap between organic and theoretical chemistry by proving the validity of 'curly arrows' in depicting chemical reactions. The study provides a new method to model electronic structure during chemical reactions, connecting traditional depictions with state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculations.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 12, 2018

It's official: Phonon and magnon are a couple

Researchers have observed and quantified the coupling of phonons and magnons in crystals of antiferromagnet manganite (Y,Lu)MnO3. This discovery challenges a 100-year-old physical problem and deepens knowledge of multiferroics, materials that exhibit multiple types of order simultaneously.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2016
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.

The physics of ocean undertow

A new paper in Physics of Fluids provides a more consistent way to describe the forces acting on waves and undertows. The researchers found that different approaches were due to incorrect handling of weak forces, not methodology. This advance enables better models for predicting beach erosion and can help preserve shorelines.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 13, 2014