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

  • 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?

  • Artemis I Launch

    NASA’s Artemis Mission: Could We Have a Moon Base by 2030?

    On November 16, 2022, NASA launched a test rocket for its first moon landing since the final Apollo mission in 1972. After 25 days, it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Now, NASA has lots of data and big plans for our future on the Moon.

  • Asteroid Detection Systems and The Science of Planetary Defence

    Millions of years ago, an asteroid strike caused the extinction of two-thirds of all plants and animals on Earth. With the recent major success of a test mission to change the trajectory of an asteroid, the question remains how good are we at predicting and preparing for asteroid threats?

  • Solar Flares and CMEs: Are (Millions of) Nuclear Bombs Threatening Our Technology?

    Solar flares and CMEs can damage and disrupt GPS systems, aircraft control, and communications. While the science for predicting these events is advancing, how safe are today’s technological systems from the power of the sun?

  • The Search for Life In the Solar System’s Ocean Worlds

    ESA’s JUICE (Jupiter Icy moons Explorer), expected to launch in April 2023, can unravel secrets from ocean worlds in our solar system, like Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus, Neptune’s moon Triton, and Jupiter’s ice-covered satellite Europa.

  • “Space Hurricanes” Discovered in the Upper Atmosphere

    Scientists reported a long-lasting space hurricane in Earth’s ionosphere and magnetosphere, near the North Pole. These findings shed more light on how space weather affects critical technology that we use daily on Earth.

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.

Join Our Community