All Stories by Emily Conover
- Physics
A laser gyroscope measured tiny variations in the lengths of days on Earth
An underground gyroscope known as ‘G’ uses laser beams traveling in opposite directions to precisely measure Earth’s rotation.
- Physics
Scientists have two ways to spot gravitational waves. Here are some other ideas
From lasers in space to falling atoms on Earth, researchers are cooking up ways to sense gravitational waves that current methods can’t detect.
- Physics
Superconductor research surges forward despite controversy over stunning claims
After retractions from Ranga Dias’ group, high-pressure physicists are feeling the squeeze, fearing the controversy will tarnish other research.
- Particle Physics
There’s a new measurement of muon magnetism. What it means isn’t clear
The measurement, from the Muon g−2 experiment, is the most precise yet. But recent theoretical predictions are a bit muddled.
- Physics
Mass has different definitions. The moon’s orbit confirms two are equivalent
Laser measurements of the moon’s orbit square with Newton’s third law of motion and Einstein’s theory of gravity.
- Physics
Electrons are extremely round, a new measurement confirms
The near-perfect roundness deepens the mystery behind how the universe came to be filled with matter as opposed to antimatter.
- Astronomy
A newfound gravitational wave ‘hum’ may be from the universe’s biggest black holes
Scientists reported evidence for a new class of gravitational waves, likely created by merging supermassive black holes.
- Quantum Physics
Quantum computers could break the internet. Here’s how to save it
Today's encryption schemes will be vulnerable to future quantum computers, but new algorithms and a quantum internet could help.
- Physics
Julian Muñoz has a ‘ruler’ that could size up the early universe
The measurement tool could lay out a distance scale for cosmic dawn —and offer clues to the nature of dark matter.
- Chemistry
One photon is all it takes to kick off photosynthesis
A single particle of light is the spark that begins the process of turning light to chemical energy in photosynthetic bacteria, a new study confirms.
- Math
A ‘vampire einstein’ tile outdoes mathematicians’ latest feat
A newfound shape covers an infinite plane with a pattern that doesn’t repeat and without mirror images of the shape.
- Physics
Measurements of a key radioactive decay nudge a nuclear clock closer to reality
In a step toward building a nuclear clock, scientists measured light emitted when a special type of thorium nucleus decayed.
