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science/physics

Caltech's Ultrafast Light-Steering Chip Operates in 74 Femtoseconds

Researchers at Caltech have unveiled a compact chip-scale device that can steer a beam of light with unprecedented speed. The device uses another light beam and a nanoscale silicon metasurface to redirect optical signals in a mere 74 femtoseconds—a quadrillionth of a second. Traditional optical switching mechanisms typically operate

New Muonium Beam Opens Door to Testing Einstein's Gravity on Exotic Matter

A team of scientists has achieved a significant breakthrough in exotic atom research by developing a technique to produce a controlled beam of muonium—an atom consisting of an electron orbiting a muon, the heavier cousin of the electron. Muonium (μ⁺e⁻) is formed when a positively charged muon captures

NASA Discovers Massive New Lunar Crater in Rare 'Once-in-a-Century' Finding

A NASA spacecraft has made a significant discovery on the lunar surface: a massive, previously unknown crater that researchers are calling a "once-in-a-century" finding. The discovery highlights how even our closest celestial neighbor still holds surprises. While the Moon has been observed and mapped for generations, new orbital

Nuclear Experts Weigh In on AI Risk Mitigation for US-China Relations

A coalition of nuclear strategy experts has developed recommendations for how the United States and China could work together to manage risks associated with artificial intelligence systems. The proposals focus on establishing communication channels and shared safety standards that could prevent misunderstandings or accidents involving AI in high-stakes contexts. The

Simulations Reveal How Early Universe Black Holes Grew So Massive So Fast

The James Webb Space Telescope has been revealing surprises from the distant, early universe since it began operations, and among the most puzzling discoveries are the so-called "Little Red Dots" — compact, reddish objects that appeared unexpectedly in survey data. New supercomputer simulations now offer a compelling explanation for

Scientists Uncover Century-Old Error in Brain Textbook Illustrations

A long-held assumption about the basic structure of brain cells may need revision. Scientists have discovered that axons—the slender projections through which neurons transmit electrical signals—may not be the smooth, tube-like structures shown in textbooks for more than a century. The research reveals that axons instead appear to

240-Million-Year-Old Fossil from Tanzania Reshapes Early Dinosaur Timeline

A fossil discovered in Tanzania is prompting scientists to reconsider what they thought they knew about early dinosaur history. The specimen, identified as Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda, dates back approximately 240 million years to the Triassic period, making it older than many previously catalogued fossils from the region. The species belongs to