Microbes and minerals may have set off Earth’s oxygenation
Scientists propose a new mechanism by which oxygen may have first built up in the atmosphere
Search Stories
Yen-Jie Lee probes particle collision data for clues to the universe’s origins
The excitement of making discoveries on the global stage is “so much bigger than the pressure,” says the particle physicist.
New maps show airplane contrails over the U.S. dropped steeply in 2020
The computer-vision technique behind these maps could help avoid contrail production, reducing aviation’s climate impact.
Study reveals chemical link between wildfire smoke and ozone depletion
If wildfires become larger and more frequent, they might stall ozone recovery for years.
Physicists observe an exotic “multiferroic” state in an atomically thin material
Discovery shows for the first time that multiferroic properties can exist in a two-dimensional material; could lead to more efficient magnetic memory devices.
A “hot Jupiter’s” dark side is revealed in detail for first time
The planet’s night side likely hosts iron clouds, titanium rain, and winds that dwarf Earth’s jetstream.
New plant-derived composite is tough as bone and hard as aluminum
The material could pave the way for sustainable plastics.
Engineers develop surgical “duct tape” as an alternative to sutures
The sticky patch could be quickly applied to repair gut leaks and tears.
Vibrating atoms make robust qubits, physicists find
The new qubits stay in “superposition” for up to 10 seconds, and could make a promising foundation for quantum computers.
Scientists make first detection of exotic “X” particles in quark-gluon plasma
The findings could redefine the kinds of particles that were abundant in the early universe.
Physicists detect a hybrid particle held together by uniquely intense “glue”
The discovery could offer a route to smaller, faster electronic devices.
Physicists watch as ultracold atoms form a crystal of quantum tornadoes
The new observations record a key crossover from classical to quantum behavior.
Predator interactions chiefly determine where Prochlorococcus thrive
New findings may help researchers hone predictions for where phytoplankton will migrate with climate change.
Kerstin Perez is searching the cosmos for signs of dark matter
“There need to be more building blocks than the ones we know about,” says the particle physicist.
Scientists build new atlas of ocean’s oxygen-starved waters
The 3D maps may help researchers track and predict the ocean’s response to climate change.