Astronomers capture first image of a black hole
ESO, ALMA, and APEX contribute to paradigm-shifting observations of the gargantuan black hole at the heart of the galaxy Messier 87. (Press release)
Working together as a “virtual telescope,” observatories around the world produce first direct images of a black hole
Images reveal supermassive black hole at the heart of the Messier 87 galaxy.
Shrinking the carbon footprint of a chemical in everyday objects
New method for synthesizing the epoxides found in plastics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals could be powered by electricity.
3 Questions: Lisa Barsotti on the new and improved LIGO
“If we are very lucky, we might observe something new … or maybe even something totally unexpected.”
Dark matter experiment finds no evidence of axions
In its first run, ABRACADABRA detects no signal of the hypothetical dark matter particle within a specific mass range.
New 3-D printing approach makes cell-scale lattice structures
System could provide fine-scale meshes for growing highly uniform cultures of cells with desired properties.
Robot hand is soft and strong
Gripper device inspired by “origami magic ball” can grasp wide array of delicate and heavy objects.
Quantum sensing method measures minuscule magnetic fields
MIT researchers find a new way to make nanoscale measurements of fields in more than one dimension.
Exotic “second sound” phenomenon observed in pencil lead
At relatively balmy temperatures, heat behaves like sound when moving through graphite, study reports.
Reducing the burden of tuberculosis treatment
Drug delivery system would allow patients to switch from daily to monthly doses.
Engineers make clear droplets produce iridescent colors
Optical effect could be harnessed for light displays, litmus tests, and makeup products.
Physicists calculate proton’s pressure distribution for first time
The particle’s core withstands pressures higher than those inside a neutron star, according to a new study.
Quantum dots can spit out clone-like photons
System that generates coherent single particles of light could help pave the way for quantum information processors or communications.
Study of quark speeds finds a solution for a 35-year physics mystery
Number of proton-neutron pairs determine how fast the particles move, results suggest.
Robots track moving objects with unprecedented precision
System uses RFID tags to home in on targets; could benefit robotic manufacturing, collaborative drones, and other applications.