3 Questions: Philip Harris on first observation of long-predicted Higgs boson decay
Seeing Higgs boson decay required “magic-eye” focus; may help physicists understand why the universe has mass.
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Light from ancient quasars helps confirm quantum entanglement
Results are among the strongest evidence yet for “spooky action at a distance.”
Sprawling galaxy cluster found hiding in plain sight
Bright light from black hole in a feeding frenzy had been obscuring surrounding galaxies.
MIT mathematicians solve age-old spaghetti mystery
It’s nearly impossible to break a dry spaghetti noodle into only two pieces. A new MIT study shows how and why it can be done.
In neutron stars, protons may do the heavy lifting
The positively charged particles may have an outsize influence on the properties of neutron stars and other neutron-rich objects.
3Q: A bold mission to touch the sun
MIT’s John Belcher discusses the launch of the Parker Solar Probe, which will fly directly into the sun’s atmosphere.
3Q: Richard Milner on a new U.S. particle accelerator
Proposal for powerful particle collider gets National Academies’ go-ahead.
X-ray data may be first evidence of a star devouring a planet
New data may explain star’s mysterious dimming.
Study finds climate determines shapes of river basins
Results may help identify ancient climates on Earth or other planets.
New study again proves Einstein right
Most thorough test to date finds no Lorentz violation in high-energy neutrinos.
Sound waves reveal diamond cache deep in Earth’s interior
Study finds 1–2 percent of Earth’s oldest mantle rocks are made from diamond.
3Q: Janet Conrad on the first detection of a neutrino’s cosmic source
The “ghostly particle” is confirmed to have originated from a blazar, nearly 4 billion light years from Earth.
Could gravitational waves reveal how fast our universe is expanding?
Signals from rare black hole-neutron star pairs could pinpoint rate at which universe is growing, researchers say.
“Blind” Cheetah 3 robot can climb stairs littered with obstacles
Improved design may be used for exploring disaster zones and other dangerous or inaccessible environments.
Low-cost prosthetic foot mimics natural walking
New design can be tuned to an individual’s body weight and size.