Researchers at Harvard have created a groundbreaking metasurface that can replace bulky and complex optical components used in quantum computing with a single, ultra-thin, nanostructured layer. This innovation could make quantum networks far more scalable, stable, and compact. By harnessing the power of graph theory, the team simplified the design of these quantum metasurfaces, enabling …

Harvard’s ultra-thin chip could revolutionize quantum computing Read More »

A pioneering team at the University of Maryland has captured the first-ever images of atomic thermal vibrations, unlocking an unseen world of motion within two-dimensional materials. Their innovative electron ptychography technique revealed elusive “moiré phasons,” a long-theorized phenomenon that governs heat, electronic behavior, and structural order at the atomic level. This discovery not only confirms …

You’ve never seen atoms like this before: A hidden motion revealed Read More »

A groundbreaking study has revealed that the mass administration of ivermectin—a drug once known for treating river blindness and scabies—can significantly reduce malaria transmission when used in conjunction with bed nets. ​A groundbreaking study has revealed that the mass administration of ivermectin—a drug once known for treating river blindness and scabies—can significantly reduce malaria transmission …

Ivermectin: The mosquito-killing pill that dropped malaria by 26% Read More »

What would happen if a nuclear war triggered a climate-altering catastrophe? Researchers have modeled how such a scenario could devastate global corn crops cutting production by as much as 87% due to blocked sunlight and increased UV-B radiation. Using advanced climate-agriculture simulations, they propose a survival strategy: emergency resilience kits containing fast-growing, cold-tolerant seeds that …

Scientists modeled nuclear winter—the global food collapse was worse than expected Read More »

A new eco-friendly plastic called LAHB has shown it can biodegrade even in the extreme environment of the deep ocean, unlike conventional plastics that persist for decades. In real-world underwater testing nearly a kilometer below the surface, LAHB lost more than 80% of its mass after 13 months, while traditional PLA plastic remained completely intact. …

This plastic disappears in the deep sea—and microbes make it happen Read More »

Scientists at the University of Toronto have developed a new non-stick material that rivals the performance of traditional PFAS-based coatings while using only minimal amounts of these controversial “forever chemicals.” Through an inventive process called “nanoscale fletching,” they modified silicone-based polymers to repel both water and oil effectively. This breakthrough could pave the way for …

Scientists just invented a safer non-stick coating—and it’s inspired by arrows Read More »

Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison uncovered a critical flaw in how lunar and Martian rovers are tested on Earth. Simulations revealed that test results have been misleading for decades because researchers only adjusted rover weight to simulate low gravity—but ignored how Earth’s gravity affects the terrain itself. Using a powerful simulation tool called Chrono, …

Trapped by moon dust: The physics error that fooled NASA for years Read More »

Mesopelagic fish, long overlooked in ocean chemistry, are now proven to excrete carbonate minerals much like their shallow-water counterparts—despite living in dark, high-pressure depths. Using the deep-dwelling blackbelly rosefish, researchers have demonstrated that carbonate production is consistent across ocean layers, bolstering global carbon cycle models. These findings reveal that these abundant fish play a hidden …

Deep-sea fish just changed what we know about Earth’s carbon cycle Read More »

Scientists at OIST have defied a foundational rule in chemistry by creating a stable 20-electron version of ferrocene—an organometallic molecule once thought to be limited to 18 valence electrons. This discovery not only challenges conventional wisdom but unlocks new chemical behaviors and redox states, potentially transforming how catalysts and materials are designed. ​Scientists at OIST …

An ‘impossible’ 20-electron molecule challenges 100 years of chemistry Read More »

Penn State researchers have uncovered a surprising twist in a foundational chemical reaction known as oxidative addition. Typically believed to involve transition metals donating electrons to organic compounds, the team discovered an alternate path—one in which electrons instead move from the organic molecule to the metal. This reversal, demonstrated using platinum and palladium exposed to …

Decades of chemistry rewritten: A textbook reaction just flipped Read More »