Quantum Physics
Physicists Create Long-Sought Topological Quantum States
Exotic particles called nonabelions could fix quantum computers’ error problem
Stories by Nature magazine
Public Health
World COVID Emergency Status Is Over, but Dangerous Threat Remains
The World Health Organization has declared that COVID is no longer a “public health emergency of international concern” but cautions that it is still an ongoing health issue
Neurology
Another New Alzheimer’s Drug: What Promising Trial Results Mean for Treatment
Findings suggest that the amyloid-targeting drug candidate slows cognitive decline in some people, but questions remain over its potential side effects
Biotech
Proteins Never Seen in Nature Are Designed Using AI to Address Biomedical and Industrial Problems Unsolved by Evolution
Bioengineers are drawing on rapidly evolving machine-learning tools, deep reservoirs of data and the firepower of a program called AlphaFold2 to pursue more sophisticated de novo protein designs...
Energy
This Pioneering Nuclear Fusion Lab Is Gearing Up to Break More Records
Here’s what’s next after the U.S. National Ignition Facility’s breakthrough on nuclear fusion last year
Automobiles
The EPA Wants Two Thirds of U.S. Car Sales to Be Electric by 2032
The Environmental Protection Agency has released draft regulations that set the stage for a huge transition to electric vehicles
Plants
Stressed Plants ‘Cry’—and Some Animals Can Probably Hear Them
Microphones capture ultrasonic crackles from plants that are water-deprived or injured
Electronics
Could Grinding Up Lithium Batteries Help Recycle Them?
Researchers recovered lithium from batteries on a small scale by using mechanical force
Planetary Science
JWST Sees No Atmosphere on ‘Earthlike’ TRAPPIST-1 Exoplanet
TRAPPIST-1b is probably an airless rock, but the same may not be true for its six Earth-sized siblings
Pollution
Scientists Look for Toxins from East Palestine Derailment in Ohio
East Palestine residents are looking to independent researchers to fill gaps left by authorities about the toxic chemicals that could be affecting people after a train derailment...
Water
The World Faces a Water Crisis, and 4 Powerful Charts Show How
Hundreds of millions of people lack access to safe water and sanitation. Will the first U.N. conference on water in nearly 50 years make a difference?
Mathematics
Mathematician Wins Abel Prize for ‘Smooth’ Physics
Luis Caffarelli’s work includes equations underpinning physical phenomena, such as melting ice and flowing liquids
Pollution
Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts Stirred Up Toxic Sediment
The Nord Stream pipeline explosions happened in a dumping ground for chemical warfare, but other contaminants proved most toxic to marine life
Planetary Science
Volcanoes on Venus? ‘Striking’ Finding Hints at Modern-Day Activity
The discovery highlights a need for future missions after NASA puts one on hold
Climate Change
What the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Means for Science Start-ups
Bailouts mean customers’ deposits are safe, but the Silicon Valley Bank’s demise has sparked concern about future investment in small tech companies
Climate Change
Australia’s Massive Wildfires Shredded the Ozone Layer—Now Scientists Know Why
Smoke from the catastrophic 2019–2020 fires in Australia unleashed ozone-eating chlorine molecules into the stratosphere
Politics
Highly Politicized Congressional Hearings Air COVID Lab-Leak Hypothesis
House Republicans have kicked off an investigation into how the pandemic began with witnesses who largely favor a lab origin
Astronomy
Are Telescopes on the Moon Doomed?
Booming exploration and commercial activity could ruin the quiet, astronomy-friendly environment of the lunar far side
Oceans
A Historic Deal to Protect the High Seas Makes Researchers ‘Ecstatic’
The historic High Seas Treaty aims to preserve marine biodiversity in what has been considered the “Wild West” of the oceans while still encouraging research
Animals
What Chernobyl’s Stray Dogs Could Teach Us about Radiation
A multiyear project studying stray dogs around Chernobyl aims to uncover the health effects of chronic radiation exposure
