Centuries-old physics test could help detect millicharged particles

Theoretical physicists have long predicted the existence of millicharged particles (mCPs), hypothetical particles that carry a very small electric charge. These particles are expected to interact very weakly with ordinary matter and electromagnetic fields; hence, they would be difficult to detect in conventional particle physics experiments.

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Chicago PD expands victim services in domestic cases

The department is hiring more victim specialists, civilian employees who have backgrounds in social work and undergo additional training provided by CPD

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Black hole star: Astronomers discover a brand-new type of astrophysical object

Astronomers at MIT and elsewhere have spotted an extremely bright red spot in the early universe. The object resembles an enormous star, roughly the size of our solar system. But it also is putting out 100 billion times more energy than any known star can physically produce. In fact, such energies are closer to what […]

Ultrafast core-level spectroscopy reveals elusive precursors of exciton condensation in quantum materials

Many fascinating phases in quantum materials emerge when electrons, atoms and other microscopic components begin to act collectively. But these phases do not necessarily appear out of nowhere when a material crosses a transition temperature. Before long-range order develops, microscopic fluctuations can already be present.

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Exploring the moon will require rovers that can think for themselves

NASA is planning to send three small rovers to the moon with a single instruction: Work out among yourselves how to explore a patch of ground.

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Early-universe plasma may have stopped dark photons from heating cosmos

A new paper published in Physical Review Letters reveals that a leading dark matter candidate—the hypothetical “dark photon”—would not have heated the early universe as previously thought. The finding opens a vast region for experimental searches and could change the hunt for dark matter.

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Neptune’s tiny moons tell the story of Triton’s destructive capture

Neptune’s moon and ring system stand out among the giant planets because of the strange imbalance between its one very large moon and its many tiny moons. Its largest moon, Triton, makes up more than 99% of the mass of all satellites orbiting the planet while orbiting retrograde compared with Neptune’s rotation. The predominant theory […]

Tungsten may suffer more radiation damage in fusion reactors than expected

Fusion reactors, devices that generate energy by fusing light atomic nuclei at extremely high temperatures, could contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at producing electricity more sustainably. The extreme environment inside these devices, however, can damage materials that surround the superheated, electrically charged plasma where the nuclear fusion reaction takes place.

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Suspect arrested in World War II Memorial vandalism in Washington

Melissa L. Farris was arrested for painting the words “Clean hands dirty $” on the monument, and placing bubbles in a fountain

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Man convicted of stabbing Calif. K-9 after pursuit

A Solano County jury found Harvey Edward Harris Jr. guilty of personally inflicting serious injury on a police animal while armed with a knife and evading an officer with willful disregard

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Nonrepeating photonic crystal may enable more tunable, reliable semiconductor lasers

Over the past two decades, photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs) have shown promise as a type of advanced semiconductor laser useful in defense- and aerospace-related applications. Typically, these devices are made with photonic crystal patterns that repeat across the area of the device. But new research from the lab of electrical and computer engineering professor Kent […]

‘Starwashing’: How space companies use the greenwashing playbook while causing environmental damage

From launchpads to low Earth orbit and beyond, space companies and their affiliates are deploying a familiar marketing tactic—with a new twist. In a space economy projected to reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035, they sell space exploration narratives by appealing to a desire to expand humankind beyond Earth—while downplaying or omitting the negative repercussions for […]

Airborne observatory improves views of solar corona during cloud-covered eclipse

Using unique equipment installed on NASA’s WB-57 aircraft flying above heavy clouds off the coast of Iceland, a Southwest Research Institute-led team successfully observed a total solar eclipse on Wednesday. The high-altitude jet followed the moon’s shadow at 50,000 feet (15,000 meters) to take measurements of the solar corona in nine different wavelengths, ranging from […]

Cell biochemistry beyond membranes: Condensate physics reveals general rules for chemical responses

Basic biology courses teach that cells contain organelles—such as the nucleus, mitochondria and Golgi apparatus—set apart by lipid membranes to get things done. Recent cell biology research has revealed another organizational principle at work in cells across all orders of biology.

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Bound gravitational waves inspired by photonic systems

When one mentions “waves,” we immediately think of a perturbation that propagates. This applies to waves on the shore, sound waves in the air or electromagnetic waves that we use to transmit information via optical fibers. The same idea of propagating perturbations applies to gravitational waves (GWs), which entered the mainstream media a decade ago […]