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For decades, scientists have been trying to answer one of the biggest mysteries in modern astronomy: What is dark matter? Even though dark matter cannot be seen directly, researchers are increasingly confident that it exists. Its gravitational influence appears throughout the universe, affecting the movement of stars, galaxies, and large cosmic structures. As scientists gather more evidence, the case for dark matter continues to grow stronger. “We are reaching a point where the observational evidence for dark matter is simply undeniable,” said Mayank Sharma, a physics graduate student at Virginia Tech. Now, a new study led by researchers at Virginia Tech suggests that dark matter may gather around supermassive black holes like a dense cloud, offering a new way to study this mysterious substance. The Invisible Matter That Shapes the Cosmos Dark matter is believed to make up most of the matter in the universe. Unlike ordinary matter, it does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it ...

For decades, quantum physics has been famous for describing a world that feels completely unlike our everyday experience. In the quantum world, particles like atoms, electrons, and photons can exist in strange states—sometimes acting like waves, sometimes like particles, and even becoming linked in ways that seem to defy common sense. But one big question has always remained: Can these strange quantum effects exist in large, everyday-sized objects? A new breakthrough study by researchers at the TU Wien suggests the answer is yes—at least in a surprising form of material known as a strange metal . They have shown that a centimeter-sized crystal can host strong quantum entanglement involving many particles acting together. The findings, published in Nature Physics, could reshape how scientists understand matter at large scales. From Schrödinger’s Cat to Real Materials The idea of quantum effects in large objects is not new. It goes back to the famous thought experiment of Schrödinger’s ...

Scientists at Harvard University have developed a new kind of robot that combines soft and hard materials in a way that closely mimics how living organisms are built. This innovation has led to the creation of a durable, soft-bodied jumping robot that can move powerfully, land safely, and operate without breaking easily. The breakthrough comes from a simple but powerful idea: nature already knows how to build strong yet flexible bodies. Animals and insects do this by smoothly blending hard and soft tissues instead of joining them abruptly. Now, engineers have used the same principle to design robots that are far more resilient than traditional machines. The Problem with Traditional Robots Most traditional robots are built like machines on an industrial assembly line. They use metals, screws, motors, and rigid hydraulic parts. These materials are extremely strong, but they are also stiff and fragile in certain conditions. When engineers try to combine hard mechanical parts with soft ma...

Scientists use cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to study tiny biological structures like proteins, viruses, and cells. This technique is powerful because it allows researchers to see molecules in a frozen, natural state without damaging them. Over the years, cryoEM has become one of the most important tools in structural biology. But even with advanced technology, there is still a major challenge. Many biological samples are very “weak” in terms of how they interact with electrons. This means they do not produce strong images. As a result, important details can be difficult to see clearly. To solve this problem, scientists have been working on improving image contrast without losing resolution. One of the most promising solutions is a device called a laser phase plate (LPP). Now, a new upgraded version called the crossed laser phase plate (xLPP) has been developed by Yu and colleagues, and it shows major improvements in cryoEM imaging. Why CryoEM Needs Better Contrast In cryoEM, a bea...

Black holes are among the most mysterious objects in the universe. They are regions of space where gravity becomes so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape. For decades, scientists have been trying to understand not only how black holes work, but also how they fit into the laws of physics that govern the universe. One of the biggest discoveries in modern science is that black holes behave like thermodynamic systems. Just like a hot cup of coffee has temperature and energy, black holes also have temperature, entropy, and other thermodynamic properties. A new study by Fu and his team has taken an important step toward understanding how these properties behave when a black hole is changing and growing. Their research suggests that the entropy of a dynamical black hole is closely linked to the area of its apparent horizon , a boundary that may be more important than the famous event horizon when a black hole is evolving. What Is Black Hole Entropy? Entropy is a measure of disorder ...

Modern drones, especially quadrotors, are becoming increasingly capable of complex aerial tasks. Yet one of the most difficult challenges in robotics is still surprisingly simple to describe: flying quickly and precisely through very small gaps. These “aggressive maneuvers” require extreme accuracy, fast reaction, and full use of the drone’s physical capabilities. A recent research direction shows how drones can now learn to perform these movements using onboard sensors and artificial intelligence. Instead of relying on carefully hand-designed control systems, the drone learns how to fly through narrow openings by directly mapping what it sees and senses into control actions. This approach is changing how we think about autonomous flight. The Challenge: Flying Through Tight Gaps at High Speed When a drone flies through open space, small errors in movement do not matter much. But when it tries to pass through a narrow gap—sometimes with only a few centimeters of clearance—there is almo...

For decades, lunar exploration has relied on large spacecraft, powerful rovers, and extensive support from Earth. But a remarkable mission from Japan has shown that even a robot small enough to fit in the palm of your hand can make a meaningful contribution to space exploration. Scientists have successfully demonstrated that miniature robots can operate independently on the Moon, opening the door to a new era of low-cost and highly efficient planetary exploration. The star of this achievement is a tiny rover called Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) , also known as SORA-Q . Despite its small size, the rover successfully explored the lunar surface, captured images, and communicated with a lander—all without direct control from Earth. Its success highlights how advanced robotics can overcome the challenges of exploring distant worlds. Why Small Robots Matter in Space Space missions are expensive, and every kilogram launched into space adds significant cost. Engineers constantly look for ...