Independent measurements of the charge radius of the helium-3 nucleus using two different methods have yielded significantly different results, prompting a re-evaluation of underlying theory. The discrepancy hints at physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Theoretical calculations inspired by the results may have already resolved the discrepancy. Forecast for 6 months: Theoretical physicists…
Science on The Soothsayer / page 3
Scientists in Singapore have developed a groundbreaking paint that reflects sunlight and cools surfaces by slowly evaporating water. This innovative material combines three cooling strategies: radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, and solar reflection, making it an effective solution for hot and humid climates. The paint’s porous structure holds water and slowly releases it, like the body…
A multinational team of researchers has identified potential pitfalls in the evaluation and measurement of algorithmic bias in AI radiology models. They suggest best practices and future directions to mitigate bias in three key areas: medical image datasets, demographic definitions, and statistical evaluations of bias. The team emphasizes the importance of accurate measurements of race-…
Mathematicians Juan Aguilera, Joan Bagaria, and Philipp Lücke have discovered two new cardinals that defy the traditional hierarchy of infinities, sparking a new wave of research in set theory. Their findings suggest that the mathematical universe is more complex and chaotic than previously thought, with far-reaching implications for our understanding of infinity. Forecast for 6…
The recent article from Science News highlights the ongoing struggle to teach evolution in schools across the United States. From the Scopes trial in 1925 to the present day, there have been numerous attempts to undermine the teaching of evolution, with creationism and intelligent design being used as alternatives. Despite setbacks, the fight for science…
Scientists at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) have made a groundbreaking discovery by capturing the first detailed view of the microstructure of liquid carbon. This achievement will help refine models of liquid carbon, enabling important insights into the role it plays in the interior of ice giant planets like Uranus and Neptune. The…
Researchers have discovered that the Bogong moth, a species found in Australia, uses the stars to navigate its annual migration to the Snowy Mountains. The moths, which are the first known invertebrates to use stellar cues for navigation, fly over 1,000 kilometers to reach their destination, a feat that is comparable to humans using the…
A team of researchers at the University of Rochester has developed a new solid-state laser that can make precise optical measurements at a vast number of points per second, while sweeping across a broad range of optical wavelengths. This breakthrough could lead to the miniaturization of optical metrology, with potential applications in fields such as…
The United States is facing a nuclear waste crisis, with over 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel stored at reactor sites across the country. Despite plans for an ambitious new generation of nuclear reactors, a solution to storing the dangerous, long-lived refuse remains elusive. The Supreme Court has recently weighed in on the issue, allowing…
Astronomers in China have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Milky Way, observing a rare eclipsing binary pulsar, PSR J1928+1815. This pulsar, a rapidly spinning neutron star, is partially eclipsed by an orbiting companion star every few hours. The discovery sheds new light on how binary star systems evolve and could help scientists study the…