Science News

Explore  with us some of the latest developments in science, including physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry, information, and astronomy.  Imagine what the future holds with today’s discoveries in these and other scientific pursuits.  Along the way we will encounter fascinating people and their ideas that push the boundaries of science and shape the future direction of knowledge.

We feature some of the latest developments in a range of scientific branches, highlighting the human ingenuity and circumstances that lead to discovery and new technologies.   We explain the ideas, the problems that led to the solutions, and the function of the discoveries, in words designed for the general audience so no background in science is required to appreciate the work of the scientists.  The ideas for our stories are drawn from other freely-available publications as well as paid subscriptions, and we welcome contributions and story ideas from volunteer contributors.  Join our science writers Mariana Meneses and Saulo Silvestre as we explore the exciting new developments in science and the showcase the good people who dedicate their life’s work to the advancement of knowledge and the human mission.

In Focus

Watt Matters: Addressing the Energy Problem in Data Centers

Revival of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant by Microsoft reflects the urgent energy demands of modern AI and cloud computing data centers. As their energy consumption continues to surge, it is critical for tech companies, national governments, and international organizations to collaborate on clean energy investments. Initiatives like the global AI summit aim to enhance sustainable energy practices, addressing the environmental damage associated with rising electrical production.

Illustration of spacetime curvature, showing that more massive objects bend the fabric of space and time more than objects with less mass. Physicists define mass as “resistance,” not weight. Image: European Space Agency.

Does Gravity Arise From Quantum Mechanics or General Relativity? A New Experiment Might Provide the Answer

Researchers from the Universities of Amsterdam and Ulm have proposed an experiment using torsion pendulum technology to determine whether gravity is a quantum phenomenon or arises from general relativity. If the technology to conduct the experiment can be created, its measurements of gravitational signals could answer questions about the quantum nature of gravity and potentially much more.

Heat From the Earth’s Core: An Increasingly Important Global Source of Renewable Energy

Harnessed from the Earth’s core, geothermal energy is gaining attention for its reliability and potential as a major renewable energy source. The Krafla plant in Iceland and The Geysers in California exemplify its large-scale applications. Innovations like deep drilling and superhot rock techniques are pushing the boundaries of geothermal power, promising to enhance efficiency and reduce costs and position geothermal as a significant factor in the future of clean energy.

Latest Science News

  • Biology Delivers Major Advances to Robot Technology

    As humans strive to build ever more efficient and powerful technology, we increasingly turn to nature for inspiration. Now, from memory chips to delicate robot hands, technology is beginning to imitate nature.

  • Revolutionizing Human-AI Interaction: ChatGPT and NLP Technology

    With the potential for Chat GPT’s natural language processing to transform human-machine interaction, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of its use and work to address the many concerns. The possible benefits of the technology may hinge on a better understanding of our own thought processes.

  • PLATO and the Quest to Give Machines the Intuition of a Newborn Human

    Engineers at DeepMind built a machine-learning system from research on how babies’ brains work. This was an important step towards giving machines cognitive ability, although much about the human brain remains unknown.

  • Human Creativity in the Era of Generative AI

    Technology that uses human art to generate new creations raises the questions of what defines art, and whether artists should be compensated. While the future of generative AI is unclear, we can ask: what is it that gives value to art in the first place?

  • The Science of Wind

    Machine learning and other AI techniques are being developed to predict damaging winds and save lives from hurricanes, tornados, and tropical storms. The value of the technology is growing quickly as extreme winds are becoming more common and devastating.

  • The James Webb Space Telescope

    James Webb Space Telescope Advances Search for Signatures of Life

    The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of an alien world, an important step in the search for life within and beyond our solar system. What will JWST discover in its search for the cause of star formation?

The Quantum Record is a non-profit journal of philosophy, science, technology, and time. The potential of the future is in the human mind and heart, and in the common ground that we all share on the road to tomorrow. Promoting reflection, discussion, and imagination, The Quantum Record highlights the good work of good people and aims to join many perspectives in shaping the best possible time to come. We would love to stay in touch with you, and add your voice to the dialogue.

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