Recent articles I’ve found interesting.

New ‘radio map’ of the Milky Way reveals where stars are born and die
Astronomers unveil the surprising hidden geometry of a supernova
Australian Space Agency seeks to build national research hub to tackle growing space debris threat
The Solar System Is Racing Through Space Far Faster Than Expected
Mysterious Glow Detected in Space Could Be Dark Matter Destroying Itself
Cannabis dispensaries lead to reduced opioid prescriptions: Studies among first to support plausible causation
Researchers reveal a groundbreaking new theory of evolution
Mind readers: How large language models encode theory-of-mind
Solving mysteries with moss: The history of using tiny plants as forensic evidence
Earth’s largest modern crater discovered in Southern China
The ‘Great Unified Microscope’ can see both micro and nanoscale structures
AI at the speed of light just became a possibility
Reading a quantum clock costs more energy than running it, study finds
Chinese team finds a fern that makes rare earth elements
GIORGIO III, Hans Zimmer’s monumental synthesiser manufactured by SynTesla
Quantum Computers Look Like Chandeliers. This is Why.
Brian Cox: The incomprehensible scales that rule the Universe
What is a “tourbillon” and what is its purpose?
Specialized potteries reveal complex organization of El Argar society 4,000 years ago

The original paper has a much more convincing photo of the crater (and more detailed information). It’s worth looking at.

The phys.org journalist obscured stuff in their version of the paper’s images shown in the phys.org article, referenced above in your OP.

https://pubs.aip.org/aip/mre/article/11/1/013001/3367917/Jinlin-crater-Guangdong-Province-China-Impact

Now ask it to spell strawberries.

Theia and Earth were neighbors, new research suggests

Little bettongs’ dramatic nut-cracker performance

Tau.Neutrino said:

Little bettongs’ dramatic nut-cracker performance

The little bettong who could.

Scientists solve the mystery of how ancient peatlands spread after Ice Age

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Sensible move, lighting doesn’t play well with most things living, dead or machine

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Here’s a video of a straight strike.

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

Very rare like ball lightning .

Tau.Neutrino said:

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Here’s a video of a straight strike.

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

Very rare like ball lightning .

Yep, that looks a lot like it.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Spiny Norman said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Tiny ‘Spark’ Could Help Solve The Mystery of Lightning’s Origins

They mention the shape of the lightning in a link there.
Reminds me of the weirdest lightning I’ve ever seen, in about 1997 or so out near Emerald on a freight run in a Metroliner. Instead of the lightning being the classic jagged line type, it was pretty much straight. So it was like huge laser beams were hitting the ground near the town. I decided to give that area a fair gap and flew a bit more east than the direct path I was otherwise on.

Here’s a video of a straight strike.

Rare straight lightning over Zimbabwe

Very rare like ball lightning .

isn’t that one of those incendiary bombs from Israel or Russia though

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

well there’s something in

This friendly race among continents is reshaping neutrino science. “JUNO’s success reflects the commitment and creativity of our entire international community,” said Marcos Dracos of the University of Strasbourg and CNRS/IN2P3 in France. More than 700 scientists from 74 institutions in 17 countries are part of the collaboration.

there for everyone

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

well there’s something in

This friendly race among continents is reshaping neutrino science. “JUNO’s success reflects the commitment and creativity of our entire international community,” said Marcos Dracos of the University of Strasbourg and CNRS/IN2P3 in France. More than 700 scientists from 74 institutions in 17 countries are part of the collaboration.

there for everyone

Well I hope they all get together and mend physics after they have had their fun breaking it.

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

This Massive Sphere Buried Under a Mountain in China Just Caught ‘Ghost’ Particles Breaking Physics

well there’s something in

This friendly race among continents is reshaping neutrino science. “JUNO’s success reflects the commitment and creativity of our entire international community,” said Marcos Dracos of the University of Strasbourg and CNRS/IN2P3 in France. More than 700 scientists from 74 institutions in 17 countries are part of the collaboration.

there for everyone

Well I hope they all get together and mend physics after they have had their fun breaking it.

Yes, I heard about that, oops indeed.

The Roman empire built 300,000 kilometres of roads: new study

Physicists Just Showed the Faraday Effect Works in a Totally New Way

Scientists have discovered that light’s long-ignored magnetic field may directly drive the Faraday effect.

More…

HKU Team Unveils Moisture-Powered Generator

Tau.Neutrino said:

HKU Team Unveils Moisture-Powered Generator

Hydroelectricity!

Michael V said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

HKU Team Unveils Moisture-Powered Generator

Hydroelectricity!

Flow of ions on a tiny scale.

Scientists Have Discovered the Holy Grail of Beer Brewing

Your brain slices speech into words faster than you blink

Every day, your brain performs a remarkable trick: it carves a torrent of sound into crisp, recognizable words at lightning speed. New research shows this ability isn’t driven solely by higher language centers.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Your brain slices speech into words faster than you blink

Every day, your brain performs a remarkable trick: it carves a torrent of sound into crisp, recognizable words at lightning speed. New research shows this ability isn’t driven solely by higher language centers.

More…

well there you go neural networks perform learning activity damn surprise

“This shows that the STG isn’t just hearing sounds, it’s using experience to identify words as they’re being spoken,” said Dr. Edward Chang, Chair of Neurological Surgery at UCSF.

Scientists develop tiny engine that’s hotter than the Sun

Scientists can now watch metal crystals grow inside liquid metal

Tau.Neutrino said:

Scientists can now watch metal crystals grow inside liquid metal

Nice work!

:)

Newly Discovered Organism Could Represent a Whole New Branch in The Tree of Life

Study claims to provide first direct evidence of dark matter

Scientists Near Breakthrough on Auroral Storm Mystery

Is the universe Infinite?

Dark matter-dark energy interaction shapes cosmic halo spin and alignment, simulations show

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

plus it is an article not a paper.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

JudgeMental said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

plus it is an article not a paper.

Why should articles not consider the possibility of a flat finite 3D universe inside a bigger flat 3D space?

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

OK, let me re-phrase that:

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be a flat and finite 3D space within a larger flat 3D space, which itself might be finite or infinite.

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

The Rev Dodgson said:

JudgeMental said:

Bubblecar said:

That article does consider that it might be flat and finite – these all fit that description:

>This is the difference between geometry and topology. The geometry of the universe appears to be flat. But one or more dimensions could be closed, meaning they wrap around while still maintaining geometric flatness. And it can get weirder. A Mobius strip is just a cylinder with a rotation made before the ends connect up. A Klein bottle is just a donut with a rotation. A cylinder, a donut, a Mobius strip, and a Klein bottle are all geometrically flat.

In three dimensions, there are 17 known distinct topologies that are all geometrically flat. My favorite being, of course, Hansc-Wendt space, which involves hexagonal tilings of the same pattern.

plus it is an article not a paper.

Why should articles not consider the possibility of a flat finite 3D universe inside a bigger flat 3D space?

maybe they’re referring to the fact that paper are flat and finite but articles … wait

SCIENCE said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

JudgeMental said:

plus it is an article not a paper.

Why should articles not consider the possibility of a flat finite 3D universe inside a bigger flat 3D space?

maybe they’re referring to the fact that paper are flat and finite but articles … wait

OK, good point.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

It doesn’t consider that possibility because cosmologists don’t consider an object to be “the universe” if it’s embedded in a larger external space.

That larger external space becomes “the universe”. Thus you then just come back to the question of whether that’s finite or infinite. Since there’s no empirical reason to propose the larger external space, there’s no point doing that.

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

No, that’s just an excuse to avoid discussing it.

“The Universe” is usually used to mean all the stuff that can be traced back to the big bang. Of course there may be a meta universe with anything from 1 to an infinite number of other big bangs, but we have no way of knowing anything about that, and it isn’t what people are usually talking about when discussing “The Universe”.

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

—-

Fuc the Zuc!

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

Nonetheless, if scientists did have knowledge of an external space, they’d no longer be referring to this little region as “the universe” – they’d coin some other term and the new, bigger model would take over in cosmology. They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.

There is of course a rich field of speculative stuff out there about multiverses and metaverses but not all of it is considered serious science. The “hard” models are much more economical because they aim to keep within the limits of observation.

I once posted a thread raising the possibility that “the universe” is just a misguided human notion – that there may not be a thing out there that is both everything AND a unified system that be can be modelled by physics.

That idea might seem interesting at first but obviously it can’t be pursued very far because it’s inherently unfalsifiable.

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

“ They certainly have no need to find excuses to “avoid discussing” such a thing.”

But there does seem to be a strange reluctance to discuss it, or even provide some reasons why it is not worthy of discussion.

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

This would require special physics for the edges.

Messy

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

I’m sure there are at least one or two weirdos in a university basement somewhere, discussing such ideas.

;)

Most cosmologists prefer models that can be fully rounded off in GR while keeping within known observational constraints.

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

Inside observable universe: adopt unchanged GR theory
Outside observable universe: no observations available, so no modelling required.

Done.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

I don’t know what “fully rounded off in GR” means, but cosmologists seem perfectly happy to discuss many weird and wonderful possibilities that cannot be observed, but not the apparently reasonable possibility of a flat 3D “universe” within a larger possibly infinite 3D space.

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

Inside observable universe: adopt unchanged GR theory
Outside observable universe: no observations available, so no modelling required.

Done.

Seems you’ve answered your own question as to why they don’t bother.

Bubblecar said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Bubblecar said:

You’d have to serve it up in a form that would somehow allow its mathematical modelling with GR theory. That would involve a lot of “making stuff up” and may not even be feasible.

Inside observable universe: adopt unchanged GR theory
Outside observable universe: no observations available, so no modelling required.

Done.

Seems you’ve answered your own question as to why they don’t bother.

Not at all, but I suspect the discussion may be following a Fibonacci Spiral, so I think I’ll leave it there.

dv said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Is the universe Infinite?

As usual, doesn’t even consider the possibility it might be flat and finite.

This would require special physics for the edges.

Messy

we’ve been through this several times.

Why some memories last a lifetime while others fade fast

Memory lasts when a network of molecular timers strengthens key experiences over time.

Scientists have uncovered a stepwise system that guides how the brain sorts and stabilizes lasting memories. By tracking brain activity during virtual reality learning tasks, researchers identified molecules that influence how long memories persist. Each molecule operates on a different timescale, forming a coordinated pattern of memory maintenance. The discoveries reshape how scientists understand memory formation.

Curiosity Cracked Open a Rock on Mars And Revealed a Big Surprise

A rock on Mars spilled a surprising yellow treasure after Curiosity accidentally cracked through its unremarkable exterior.

When the rover rolled its 899-kilogram (1,982-pound) body over the fragile lump of mineral in May of last year, the deposit broke open, revealing yellow crystals of elemental sulfur, known as brimstone.

More…

Physics’ Strangest Prediction: Researchers Propose Way to Finally “See” the Warmth of the Vacuum

Book review.

Quantum 2.0 – The Past, Present and Future of Quantum Physics

Paul Davies delivers a profoundly enlightening exploration of quantum physics in Quantum 2.0, a book that stands as an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand one of humanity’s most transformative scientific discoveries.

More…

Statistically, it’s impossible to predict domestic violence homicide. That doesn’t mean we should give up

A new possibility for life: Study suggests ancient skies rained down ingredients
Do brown dwarfs really resemble Jupiter?
Scientists Discover a Way to ‘Recharge’ Aging Human Cells

9 min Youtube Video about Bluetooth 6.0

Weaponized AI: A New Era of Threats and How We Can Counter It

WA’s beloved botanist to launch book in Albany and Perth
Melbourne scientists discover how electrical pulses could transform tissue and organ regeneration
Becoming human in southern Africa: what ancient hunter-gatherer genomes reveal
Scientists discover 16 giant river networks on ancient Mars where life could have thrived
Google’s proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris in an already crowded orbit

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Tau.Neutrino said:

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Interesting.

Surprising no-one noticed before.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Interesting.

Surprising no-one noticed before.

I’ll say.

I wonder whether it might have another application in geological microscopy. (Geological microscopes use polarised light.)

The Rev Dodgson said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

A 180-Year Assumption About Light Was Just Proven Wrong

Interesting.

Surprising no-one noticed before.

>Discovering this overlooked interaction in the established FE could give scientists a way to more precisely control light and matter, potentially leading to advancements in sensing, memory, and computing, such as quantum computer innovations through higher-precision control of spin-based quantum bits.

There you are then.

Estimating the number of flying insects in the US using weather radar
How your brain understands language may be more like AI than previously thought
Your brain on imagination: Study reveals how the mind’s eye helps us learn and change
Quantum clues to consciousness: New research suggests the brain may harness the zero-point field
Small galaxies may buck the black hole trend, Chandra finds
Monster Stars’ from the cosmic dawn: Astronomers find first direct evidence

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

Very nice indeed.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

Michael V said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

sorry we only considered the transparent insulation part

yeah so they developed regularised / crystalloid aerogel so it was more interesting

Michael V said:

SCIENCE said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Window Insulation Blocks Heat, Preserves View

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

TN: thanks for the introduction to Mirage News. Seems to be an ethically interesting site.

https://www.miragenews.com/about-us/

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

SCIENCE said:

so they’ve discovered a vacuum

Not really, as I understand it.

TN: thanks for the introduction to Mirage News. Seems to be an ethically interesting site.

https://www.miragenews.com/about-us/

Mirage news is worth bookmarking.

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YouTube video

Top Scientific & Tech Breakthroughs of 2025: A Year in Review

Tau.Neutrino said:

YouTube video

Top Scientific & Tech Breakthroughs of 2025: A Year in Review

We can also us AI to help sort out space junk into pieces for deorbit and pieces to be recycled ♻️ in space.

The AusSMC’s Top 10 Science Stories 2025

2025 was another big year in science news, both globally and locally, as the Trump Administration declared war… on science, extinct animals made a comeback, at least to the headlines, and DeepSeek shook up the AI world. Meanwhile, in Australia, we pushed on with our social media ban for kids, found forever chemicals everywhere – even in possums – and reeled from the news of a pair of IVF stuff ups and a trio of major cyber breaches and failures.

More…

Re-engineering the disordered mind: clinical experimentation, dynamical systems, and AI for personalized psychiatry

Abstract

This perspective proposes a neuropsychiatric model of psychological and psychiatric interventions by reframing treatment as a control engineering problem grounded in dynamical systems theory and artificial intelligence (AI). We argue that psychopathology arises from distortions in the geometry of underlying neurobehavioral low-dimensional cognitive–affective manifolds rather than from isolated biological dysfunctions, and we use a formal dynamical framework to show how clinical interventions can be modeled as control inputs that reshape the manifold itself to restore healthy dynamics. To operationalize this approach clinically, we propose a closed-loop, N-of-1 experimental paradigm in which dense longitudinal measurements and strategically designed perturbations are used to train individualized AI surrogate models of a person’s manifold. This model supports the simulation of counterfactual interventions and guide the design of optimized, personalized treatments. Active perturbation reduces required sample size dramatically, enabling precise modeling from limited but richly sampled individual data. This engineering-inspired framework reconceptualizes clinical improvement as the restoration of regulatory capacity and resilient trajectories rather than the mere reduction of symptom counts. By integrating dynamical systems theory, AI-based surrogate modeling, and adaptive clinical experimentation, we outline a principled pathway toward personalized neuropsychiatry based on dynamical systems theory and AI.

More…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Re-engineering the disordered mind: clinical experimentation, dynamical systems, and AI for personalized psychiatry

Abstract

This perspective proposes a neuropsychiatric model of psychological and psychiatric interventions by reframing treatment as a control engineering problem grounded in dynamical systems theory and artificial intelligence (AI). We argue that psychopathology arises from distortions in the geometry of underlying neurobehavioral low-dimensional cognitive–affective manifolds rather than from isolated biological dysfunctions, and we use a formal dynamical framework to show how clinical interventions can be modeled as control inputs that reshape the manifold itself to restore healthy dynamics. To operationalize this approach clinically, we propose a closed-loop, N-of-1 experimental paradigm in which dense longitudinal measurements and strategically designed perturbations are used to train individualized AI surrogate models of a person’s manifold. This model supports the simulation of counterfactual interventions and guide the design of optimized, personalized treatments. Active perturbation reduces required sample size dramatically, enabling precise modeling from limited but richly sampled individual data. This engineering-inspired framework reconceptualizes clinical improvement as the restoration of regulatory capacity and resilient trajectories rather than the mere reduction of symptom counts. By integrating dynamical systems theory, AI-based surrogate modeling, and adaptive clinical experimentation, we outline a principled pathway toward personalized neuropsychiatry based on dynamical systems theory and AI.

More…

Wonders if that could be applied to Trump?

Might take a while.

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