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Dragged along by micro-swimmers

Researchers have developed a new model for micro-swimmer-based transport, which shows that a swarm of micro-swimmers can transport particles more efficiently than traditional methods. The study's findings suggest that this phenomenon could be useful in biological applications, such as delivering drugs to specific locations in the body.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2021

Dragonfly mission to Titan announces big science goals

The Dragonfly mission will investigate Titan's surface and atmosphere, searching for chemical biosignatures and exploring the moon's active methane cycle. By analyzing the prebiotic chemistry currently taking place in Titan's atmosphere and on its surface, scientists hope to gain insights into the potential for life on the moon.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateAug 10, 2021

Study shows why beer mats do not fly in a straight line

Physicists investigated why beer mats behave strangely when thrown. The study found that the mat tips backwards due to gravity, creating an angle of attack that generates lift in the airflow. When rotated like a frisbee, the lifting force causes the mat to drift off to the side, rather than flying straight.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021

NUCLEUS - 2021

The NUCLEUS-2021 conference will cover various topics in nuclear physics, including atomic nuclei, nuclear reactions, modern methods and technologies, relativistic nuclear physics, and more. The results of the conference will be published in two Springer journals.

The muon's magnetic moment fits just fine

Researchers estimated muon's magnetic field strength using a fully verified theory independent of experimental measurements. The result aligns with the standard model of particle physics, suggesting no need for new physics to explain the phenomenon.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateApr 7, 2021

Mounting hope for new physics

The Muon g-2 Collaboration has published the first result of its measurement, revealing a discrepancy of 4.2 standard deviations between experiment and theory. The result strengthens evidence for the existence of new physics, potentially indicating previously unknown particles or forces.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 7, 2021

Model describes interactions between light and mechanical vibration in microcavities

A study by researchers at the University of Campinas investigated optomechanical coupling, creating a theoretical model that was validated by simulations and comparisons with experimental results. The researchers found that both dispersive and dissipative interactions occur in microcavities, which can contribute to advances in fields s...

Perfect transmission through barrier using sound

A new study by the University of Hong Kong has experimentally proven the existence of Klein tunneling, where relativistic particles can pass through barriers with 100% transmission. This breakthrough has significant implications for fundamental physics and potential applications in sound manipulation and acoustic signal processing.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·DateDec 23, 2020

Lineshape-tailoring of coupled plasmonic systems based on first principle

A newly published paper introduces a formal theoretical framework from first principles, enabling researchers to predict the fascinating properties of coupled photonic systems before numerically simulating them. The theory allows for the design and prediction of line-shapes with desired near-field and far-field properties.

Simulating borehole ballooning helps ensure safe drilling of deep-water oil, gas

A device that simulates borehole ballooning has been developed to help prevent serious drilling accidents and irreversible damage. The device can accurately simulate conditions like fracture opening pressures, rock types, and mud circulation pressures, and its experimental results have validated theoretical research on the topic.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 28, 2020

Magnet research takes giant leap

Scientists at the University of Central Florida and partners have successfully created anti-ferromagnetic devices that operate on the terahertz level, paving the way for ultra-fast electronics. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize guidance systems, communications, and even mimic brain function.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience·DateApr 10, 2020

Rethinking biosecurity governance

The article highlights the need for a new approach to biosecurity governance, grounded in experimentation. Key findings include the importance of framing governance experiments with hypotheses, developing capacity to quickly identify difficult cases, and fostering cross-biology communities for iterative improvement.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2020

Jets of bacteria carry microscopic cargoes

Scientists at the Niels Bohr Institute have successfully controlled bacterial jets to carry strings of microscopic cargos, opening up new possibilities for biological tools and medical applications. The novel approach utilizes a liquid crystal to dictate bacterial movement, suppressing instabilities and enabling precise cargo transport.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 23, 2020

Grabbing atoms

Researchers at the University of Otago have successfully trapped and cooled three individual atoms, allowing them to observe previously unseen complex atomic interactions. This breakthrough has significant implications for future quantum technologies, including the potential to build and control single molecules of particular chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 19, 2020

How nature tells us its formulas

A team of researchers has found a way to derive quantum field theoretical descriptions for many-particle systems directly from experimental measurements. This breakthrough could simplify the study of complex quantum systems and provide new insights into fundamental questions in physics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 3, 2020

Exploring strangeness and the primordial Universe

Dr Johann Rafelski reviews decades of work on quark-gluon plasma, exploring strangeness production and discovery methods. He highlights the evolution of understanding this primordial material, which once filled the Universe, and the ongoing experimental efforts to recreate it.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Techniques and Instrumentation·DateJan 31, 2020

How sensitive can a quantum detector be?

A new device created by Aalto University and Lund University has set a new standard for measuring the tiniest energies in superconducting circuits. The calorimeter uses a strip of copper one thousand times thinner than a human hair to detect energy changes, providing essential insights into quantum thermodynamics.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2020

In one direction or the other: That is how DNA is unwound

A study published in PNAS reveals that DNA helicases unwind the double strand more easily in one direction than the other, with the speed of unwinding depending on the sequence composition of the bases. This discovery has implications for understanding gene expression and the regulation of cellular activities.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2019

Magdeburg researchers refute theory of collective (non-)action

German experimental economists conducted the largest laboratory experiment in economic research to date, refuting the theory that individuals lack motivation to participate in public goods due to negligible impact. The study found that visibility of mutual benefits is crucial for collective action in large groups. Cooperative decision-...

SourceOtto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg·JournalEuropean Economic Review·DateAug 12, 2019