Two colossal black holes among the most massive ever seen collided in deep space, creating gravitational waves that rippled across the cosmos and shook the foundations of astrophysical theory. Detected by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observatories, this record-breaking merger has stunned scientists not only because of its size, but also due to the black holes extreme spins, …

Two monster black holes just collided — it’s so massive, it shouldn’t exist Read More »

Gravitational-wave detectors have captured their biggest spectacle yet: two gargantuan, rapidly spinning black holes likely forged by earlier smash-ups fused into a 225-solar-mass titan, GW231123. The record-setting blast strains both the sensitivity of LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA and the boundaries of stellar-evolution theory, forcing scientists to rethink how such cosmic heavyweights arise. ​Gravitational-wave detectors have captured their biggest …

Gravitational shockwave: LIGO catches a 225-solar-mass black-hole smash-up Read More »

Hubble’s crystal-clear look at NGC 1786—an ancient globular cluster tucked inside the Large Magellanic Cloud—pulls us 160,000 light-years from Earth and straight into a cosmic time machine. Packed with stars of several different ages, this glittering sphere helps astronomers test whether layered “generations” of suns are common across galaxies. By comparing NGC 1786 and other …

Hubble Cracks Open a Glittering Cosmic Time Capsule, Revealing Multi-Generational Stars 160,000 Light-Years Away Read More »

Astronomers have uncovered a massive, hidden exoplanet nestled in the dusty disc of a young star—MP Mus—by combining cutting-edge data from the ALMA observatory and ESA’s Gaia mission. Initially thought to be planet-free, the star’s surrounding disc appeared deceptively empty. But new observations and a telltale stellar “wobble” pointed to a Jupiter-sized gas giant forming …

It looked like nothing—then scientists found a world 10x the size of Jupiter Read More »

Using an advanced Monte Carlo method, Caltech researchers found a way to tame the infinite complexity of Feynman diagrams and solve the long-standing polaron problem, unlocking deeper understanding of electron flow in tricky materials. ​Using an advanced Monte Carlo method, Caltech researchers found a way to tame the infinite complexity of Feynman diagrams and solve …

This Algorithm Just Solved One of Physics’ Most Infamous Problems Read More »

A new leap in lab automation is shaking up how scientists discover materials. By switching from slow, traditional methods to real-time, dynamic chemical experiments, researchers have created a self-driving lab that collects 10 times more data, drastically accelerating progress. This new system not only saves time and resources but also paves the way for faster …

This AI-powered lab runs itself—and discovers new materials 10x faster Read More »

Scientists in China have developed a precise method to grow titanium dioxide nanorod arrays with controllable spacing, independent of rod size. This innovation boosts solar cell efficiency by allowing light capture and charge movement to be fine-tuned. ​Scientists in China have developed a precise method to grow titanium dioxide nanorod arrays with controllable spacing, independent …

New Nanotech Boosts Solar Cell Efficiency Over 10% Read More »

Researchers have cracked a fundamental optical challenge: how to control both angle and wavelength of light independently—a problem that’s limited imaging and display technologies for years. By harnessing the power of radiation directionality and engineering bilayer metagratings with unique symmetry properties, they’ve decoupled these two variables for the first time. Their precise nanofabrication techniques allow …

One tiny trick just broke light’s oldest rule — and changed optics forever Read More »

The tendency for AIs to give misleading answers may be in part down to certain training techniques, which encourage models to prioritise perceived helpfulness over accuracy ​The tendency for AIs to give misleading answers may be in part down to certain training techniques, which encourage models to prioritise perceived helpfulness over accuracy The tendency for AIs …

The way we train AIs makes them more likely to spout bull Read More »

A 2.35-billion-year-old Moon rock that fell to Earth in Africa is rewriting what we know about lunar volcanism. This rare meteorite, studied by UK scientists and unveiled at a major geochemistry conference, reveals that the Moon was volcanically active far longer than previously thought. With a unique chemical makeup and an age that bridges a …

2.35-billion-year-old Moon rock found in Africa rewrites lunar history Read More »