In most physical systems, particles interact locally or at short distances only. Still, l ong-range interactions, like electromagnetic forces, play a crucial role in quantum physics and chemistry. They are a key ingredient for many phenomena, from molecular binding to high-temperature superconductivity. While their exact treatment in quantum many-body systems remains numerically challenging, analog quantum […]
The patriarchy, having been somewhat in retreat in parts of the world, is back in our faces . In Afghanistan, the Taliban once again prowl the streets more concerned with keeping women at home and in strict dress code than with the impending collapse of the country into famine. And on another continent, parts of […]
How to breed more intelligent humans? This is a difficult question, one which raises numerous issues, both ethical and scientific. Would you give your eyesight away to become brighter? As crazy as this question may sound, a blinding mutation might increase intelligence. The CORD7 (cone-rod dystrophy 7) mutation of the RIMS1 gene produces progressive blindness […]
Perseverance captures sun halo Despite decades of exploration on the surface of Mars and thousands of photographs of the skies above the red planet, scientists only observed signs of a sun halo recently. NASA’s Perseverance rover finally documented the phenomenon, which occurs when atmospheric ice crystals warp sunlight to create the appearance of a halo […]
Electron correlations and topology are well established as engines for surprising and potentially functional properties. Strong correlations promote quantum fluctuations, which engender abundant phases of matter and various quantum phase transitions. Meanwhile, extensive developments have taken place in noninteracting electron systems, especially those with sizable spin-orbit couplings. It can reasonably be expected that the intersection […]
A key feature that makes natural materials highly sustainable and recyclable is their modularity. Biodegradable materials are such because biological organisms can digest and break their constituting chemicals into simpler building blocks. Often such simpler building blocks are then reused for energy or structural purposes. In other words, nature needs materials that can be broken […]
For a long time, it was thought that dreaming occurred in the rapid eye movement phase of sleep (REM sleep). It is now well established that it can occur at any stage of sleep and, therefore, is not exclusive to a specific global vigilance state. Today, there is no known physiological correlate of a dream […]
Spaceflight alters DNA of astronauts’ blood Blood samples collected from all 14 astronauts who traveled to space as part of NASA’s space shuttle program between 1998 and 2001 showed evidence of DNA mutations after being stored for 20 years. While the mutations are below a key threshold for concern, researchers suggest astronauts submit to periodic […]
Several classes of correlated electron systems such as cuprates, iron-pnictides, iron-chalcogenides, and several heavy-fermion compounds, have been identified as unconventional superconductors. More recently, superconductivity with unconventional features has also been identified in twisted bilayer graphene. In this vein, the electronic correlations intrinsically present in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a family of layered materials, are promising […]
Intermittent fasting is more than the latest diet fad, it has proven benefits –at least in animal models– against longevity, and it appears that it could even improve nerve regeneration, according to new research. The problems with axons in the peripheral nervous system is that their regenerative capacity is not very high. There are certain […]