Scientists may have finally proved that “empty” space isn’t really empty
A magnetar's magnetic field may have revealed vacuum birefringence, a quantum effect predicted by Werner Heisenberg nearly 90 years ago where empty space alters light behavior. If confirmed, this discovery would provide the first direct evidence of this phenomenon and demonstrate that the quantum vacuum affects light propagation.
Read full story →Laser stability method advances precision control of electrons with light
Researchers developed a laser stability method that enables precise control of electric fields in light to manipulate individual electron dynamics. The Attosecond Microscopy research group at the University of Oldenburg's Institute of Physics, led by Dr. Jan Vogelsang, advanced this technique for controlling electrons at extremely small timescales.
Topography controls how mountains respond to large earthquakes
Large earthquakes trigger thousands of landslides that reshape mountain landscapes and accelerate erosion rates. Mountain regions show varying erosion responses to earthquakes depending on topography, with some areas experiencing intense long-lasting effects while others show limited responses.
Some bacteria build internal 'power cables' to extend respiration beyond the cell membrane
Some bacteria construct internal protein filaments that extend their respiration machinery beyond the cell membrane, allowing energy generation in multiple cellular locations. This discovery challenges the previous assumption that a cell's energy capacity depends solely on membrane surface area.