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

  • Mind Reading Technology Connects Brains to Machines

    Major advances in brain-computer interface technologies may soon give us the power to control complex machinery with our minds. What opportunities and frontiers will open, for medical and other applications, and what ethical issues lie ahead?

  • The Surprising Connection Between Human Bodies and Supernova Explosions

    The technology of astronomy explains the connection between the iron in our blood and the life cycle of stars. Every atom in our bodies was born in a star, and the iron flowing in our veins is the same iron that once caused a star’s supernova explosion.

  • Mysterious Skulls Raise Questions of Human Origins

    Analyses of skulls of previously unknown human species discovered in Israel and China add more pieces to the puzzle of our evolution. DNA technology and scientific advances point to older and more extensive human presence on Earth.

  • A Job for the Machines: Using Artificial Intelligence to Advance Nuclear Fusion

    Nuclear fusion powers stars and holds the potential to deliver practically unlimited amounts of clean energy to humanity. Artificial intelligence is providing the means to control and direct fusion reactions as we make significant advances in developing the technology.

  • James Webb Space Telescope: Hubble’s Successor May Rewrite the Physics Books

    In orbit 1.5 million km from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope delivered its first images in July with stunning detail. Using infrared detection technology, Webb looks back in time over 13 billion years and promises to unlock mysteries hidden in the earliest light of the universe.

  • Searching For Martian Life with X-Ray Crystallography

    First conceived a century ago, the science of crystallography finds new use in the search for bacteria and other lifeforms on Mars. Analysis of crystals on Earth’s neighbor may lead to the detection of life-sustaining water.

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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