Scientific watchmakers have created a prototype of a nuclear clock, hinting at future possibilities for using atomic nuclei to make precise time measurements and make new tests of fundamental theories of physics. While the definition of “watch” is scientifically nebulous, the prototype has yet to be used to measure time. So it should technically be … Read more
For the first time, scientists have measured a long-sought global electric field in Earth’s atmosphere. This field, called the ambipolar electric field, was predicted to exist decades ago but was never discovered until now. his animation shows how the ambipolar electric field works. The most abundant gas in the lower atmosphere, the part we live … Read more
For the first time, a quantum computer has improved its results by continuously correcting its own miscalculations with a technique called quantum error correction. Scientists have long known that quantum computers need error correction to fulfill their potential to solve problems that hinder standard, “classic” computers (SN: 22.6.20). Quantum computers compute with quantum bits, or … Read more
Flicking the dimmer switch can help some indoor farmers curb one of their biggest challenges: rising electricity costs. Growing crops in stacked rows indoors under fixed-intensity artificial lights can produce more food per square foot using less land and water than traditional outdoor farms. But this vertical farming technique is also energy intensive and expensive … Read more
The word “bionic” conjures up sci-fi visions of humans grown to superhuman levels. It is true that engineering advances such as better motors and batteries, along with modern computing, mean that the necessary mechanical and electronic systems are no longer a barrier to advanced prostheses. But the field has struggled to integrate these powerful machines … Read more
The ocean circulation system may not be as bad as previously thought. A vital oceanic artery known as the Florida Current, a signal of the ocean’s ability to regulate Earth’s climate, has apparently been weakening for decades. But this latest decline may not be as severe as suspected. The current has actually remained stable over … Read more
The opposing fountains of plasma and particles spanning 23 million light-years are the longest pair of black hole jets ever seen. This is enough to influence the evolution of the universe on cosmic scales, astronomers report on September 18. Nature. “Traditionally, astronomers believed that all jets remain inside, or at least very close to, their … Read more
Quantum entanglement has made its way to the top. Scientists have measured the strange quantum phenomenon of entanglement in top quarks, the heaviest fundamental subatomic particles known. It is the first detection of entanglement between pairs of quarks – a class of subatomic particles that make up larger particles, including protons and neutrons. Particles that … Read more
Dust pollution is known to contribute to asthma and heart and lung disease. But dust blowing from the Great Salt Lake in Utah can cause an additional unwanted shock. Metals in dust and sediments around the Great Salt Lake are more reactive than dust from nearby lake beds, researchers report in November. Atmospheric Environment. When … Read more
It was like a Ph.D. student Dionna Williams realized fundamental flaws in the way medical science treats people who have HIV and also use illegal drugs or misuse prescription drugs. People in this group often have worse outcomes than people with HIV who do not use these drugs. Drug use and addiction have been linked … Read more