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Self-stirring liquids ScienceNews Share    
In a tail wagging the dog reversal, researchers have found that simple chemical reactions can mix a solution. Usually, chemicals are stirred to enhance a reaction, but a new study finds that the reverse is also true: Simple chemical reactions can trigger fluid flows, reports a paper in the January 29 Physical Review Letters. Read the associated Physical Review Letters article. More
Some solar storms start with a twist ScienceNow Share
Scientists have detected a consistent pattern in the sun's magnetic behavior that precedes solar flares. If the pattern can be unraveled completely, it could give hours or even days of warning to telecommunications companies, electric power grids and satellite operators to prepare for these dangerous storms. More Diamonds made even stronger by pressure UPI Share
U.S. scientists say they have discovered that compression makes a diamond so strong it can withstand nearly a million times atmospheric pressure. Read the associated Physical Review B article. More Organic transistor mimics brain synapse Physics World Share
Researchers in France claim to have made the first transistor that mimics connections in the human brain. The device, which is based on pentacene and gold nanoparticles, could lead to a new generation of neuro-inspired computers as well as help connect artificial structures to biological tissue. More
Net widens for funding of arXiv Physics World Share
Librarians at Cornell University want more external funding to support their popular arXiv preprint server because the running costs are now "beyond a single institution's resources." arXiv has become the most widely used preprint server among academics in the physical sciences. It received more than 60,000 new submissions in 2009, has about 400,000 registered users and provides 2.5 million article downloads per month. Its rate of expansion is so rapid that staff expect its budget – which covers personnel as well as operating expenses – to increase from $400,000 in 2010 to $500,000 in 2012. More Lasers zap fusion doubts at NIF Physics World Share
Researchers in the U.S. say they have made a crucial breakthrough towards achieving laser fusion and that they expect to generate the conditions for a sustained nuclear reaction by the end of the year. These claims are backed up by the publication of the first science results from the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and among the highlights was a new world record for laser intensity. More Creating a quantum gas PhysOrg Share
Researchers have prepared a molecular quantum gas in a single hyperfine state, giving them a handle on the final remaining degree of freedom needed to control all aspects of molecules in an ultracold gas. Read the associated Physical Review Letters article. More 'Quantum spread' threat to Hawking's bet NewScientist Share
Stephen Hawking is something of a gambler when it comes to physics, placing bets on everything from the action of black holes to the discovery of gravitational waves. The bad news for Hawking is that a touch of "quantum smearing" could significantly lower his chances of winning his latest wager. More |
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