Physics Today

Reduced pandemic emissions contributed to atmospheric methane surge A drop in nitrogen oxide emissions led to fewer hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere to oxidize the methane.

Atmospheric methane levels mysteriously surged in the early 2020s. New research finds that reductions in anthropogenic emissions during pandemic lockdowns were a major reason why. #physics #climate

Cities built on river sediment are sinking Using high-resolution satellite data for a global analysis of major river deltas, researchers found that 45% of those studied are sinking faster than the rate of sea-level rise.

Major cities built on river deltas face a growing threat from sea-level rise. But for some, sinking caused by human activities is an even bigger problem. Researchers used satellite data to analyze drivers of vertical land motion in 40 major delta systems across the globe. #physics #climatescience

How the twist of a molecule affects electron spin Since the discovery was first reported in 1999, researchers have uncovered many aspects of the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

In 1999, researchers found that certain organic molecules preferentially transmit electrons with a particular spin orientation. Many experiments have followed, but the physics underlying the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect remains mysterious. #physics #chirality

Quantum-based standards for pressure measurements Metrologists are using fundamental physics to define units of measure. Now NIST has developed new quantum sensors to measure and realize the pascal.

Metrologists are using fundamental physics to define units of measure. Now, NIST has developed new quantum sensors to measure and realize the pascal. #physics #metrology

David Hoogerheide does neutron scattering for himself and others

As an instrument scientist at NIST, David Hoogerheide splits his time between his own research and helping users do experiments with the world’s highest-flux neutron reflectometer. #whatcanphysicistsdo #physics #NIST

Matching pipe organs to room acoustics New research aims to help organ builders better predict how the massive instruments will sound once installed.

Every pipe organ is unique and must be tailored to the acoustics of its venue. New research aims to help organ builders predict how the instruments will sound before they are built. #acoustics #pipeorgans

Long over due in posting this news here, but I'm excited to share that I haved joined @physicstoday.aip.org as a senior associate editor!

Physics was my first love as a science writer and I'm thrilled to get back to it ⚛️ You can find my new clips here:

Eiffel Tower to gain symmetry with addition of women’s names Women will join men in being honored on the Paris icon.

Marie Curie and 71 other women scientists will soon be honored by having their names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. They will join the 72 men whose names are already there. #womeninscience

On the belated discovery of fission A remarkable sequence of missteps, misfortune, and oversights delayed the discovery of nuclear fission until the eve of World War II—and likely altered history’s course.

This @physicstoday.bsky.social article has more on Noddack's fission suggestion and why it may have been ignored or given little credence by Fermi and his colleagues.

One reason is an incorrect earlier claim that she and her husband had discovered element 43. (7/n)

NIST to introduce restrictions on non-US citizens The precision measurement and quantum communities are upset about the secretiveness of the move and its potential damage to US science.

Restrictions on international researchers at NIST stand to be the latest blow to the US research community. #physics #quantum

Genetically engineered protein is a versatile quantum sensor In noisy biological environments, the fluorescent protein can pinpoint subcellular structures and detect magnetic field changes.

In a noisy biological environment, a genetically engineered fluorescent proteins can pinpoint subcellular structures and detect magnetic field changes. #physics #biophysics

Fluid-coupled rotation demonstrates unexpected modes of motion Two cylinders rotating in a fluid can mimic the behavior of gears and of a belt-and-pulley system.

Fluid gears demonstrate unexpected modes of rotation in a new tabletop experiment. #fluids #physics

Tyler Drye tackles challenges to technical patents

Tyler Drye’s interest in patents was piqued at a jobs fair. After a spell at the US Patent and Trademark Office, he went to law school. The chemical physicist now has a rewarding career as a patent attorney. #whatcanphysicistsdo

Magnetic skyrmions: A new frontier for quantum computing Nanoscale, topologically protected whirlpools of spins have the potential to move from applications in spintronics into quantum science.

Nanoscale whirlpools of spins hold potential for ultradense data storage. As Christina Psaroudaki and Christos Panagopoulos outline in a new feature article, they may soon be of use in quantum computing. #quantumcomputing

What the National Center for Atmospheric Research means to the atmospheric sciences Born out of a time of great need for the federal government, NCAR plays a role with few analogues.

The federal government is considering plans to break up @ncar-ucar.bsky.social. Here's why the research center has played a unique role in the history of the atmospheric sciences. #NSF #climate

Coherent x rays generate equally spaced ultrafast pulses The adaptation of Nobel Prize–winning optics work to the x-ray regime brings new capabilities to the free-electron laser.

A Nobel Prize–winning optics technique has been adapted for x-ray free-electron lasers. The improvement gives the devices new capabilities for the study of ultrafast particles and processes. #optics #physics

What the National Center for Atmospheric Research means to the atmospheric sciences Born out of a time of great need for the federal government, NCAR plays a role with few analogues.

Great piece out today in Physics Today on historical origins, contemporary relevance, & fundamental irreplaceability of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which remains at imminent risk of dismantling for partisan political reasons.

Philanthropies selectively mitigate damage from lost federal science funding They are focusing on early-career scientists and on vulnerable areas like climate.

In response to the disruptions and uncertainties in federal funding for science, researchers are knocking on the doors of philanthropies. But they can pick up only some of the slack.

Gravitational Waves

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the announcement of the direct detection of gravitational waves by @ligo.org. In honor of that milestone, we've put together a collection of our coverage of gravitational-wave research through the years. #LIGO #gravitationalwaves #physics #astronomy

Glad you enjoyed the crossword puzzle—we'll be featuring one every month as part of our redesign!

Tiny boats demonstrate a new nanolithography technique

Roughly twice the size of a human skin cell, each of these tiny boats is made using a new 3D-printing technique that can split a femtosecond laser into 120 000 focal spots. #BackScatter

This was a lot of fun (and very challenging) to write!

Making magnetized plasmas in the lab With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, physicists can reconstruct the conditions inside astrophysical objects and create nuclear-fusion reactors.

With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, writes @jdhare.bsky.social, physicists can recreate the conditions inside astrophysical objects and in nuclear-fusion reactors.

Speak easy: The educational benefits of a three-minute research talk The ability to communicate a key message clearly and concisely to a nonspecialized audience is a critical skill to develop at all educational levels.

It’s crucial that physics students learn how to communicate their research concisely to nonspecialists. As Gavrielle Untracht and Matt Anderson write, events such as the Three Minute Thesis competition and classroom exercises can help students strengthen their communication skills. #3MT #scicomm

Data reanalysis throws existence of an ocean on Titan into question The finding that the Saturnian moon may host layers of icy slush instead of a global ocean could change how planetary scientists think about other icy moons as well.

A new analysis of Titan data from Cassini finds that the icy moon likely does not have a buried ocean. #astronomy

The new math of network optimization, courtesy of string theory Modeling the shapes of tree branches, neurons, and blood vessels is a thorny problem, but researchers have just discovered that much of the math has already been done.

In a lucky synergy between disparate research fields, network theorist @barabasi.bsky.social and colleagues realized that a math problem they were struggling with had already been tackled by string theorists. The solution helps explain the shapes of neurons and other physical networks.

A brief guide to science outreach Figuring out how to communicate with the public can be overwhelming. Here’s some advice for getting started.

“A brief guide to science outreach” by Don Lincoln in @physicstoday.bsky.social brings together practical guidance and compelling examples for scientists and engineers who want to engage more intentionally in outreach. physicstoday.aip.org/features/a-b...

Q&A: Trity Pourbahrami helps scientists communicate their work After a foray into international health and social welfare, she returned to the physical sciences. She is currently at the Moore Foundation.

Trity Pourbahrami says her superpower for connecting with people has been key to a path that took her from physics to international health and social services and then back to physics. She's now a communications officer for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. #physics #careers

Celebrations of the international quantum year Events held around the world have recognized the past, present, and future of quantum science and technology.

Theatrical performances, art exhibitions, public lectures, hackathons, poetry contests, and more! Across the globe, scientists and others have celebrated the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with more than 1000 quantum-related activities large and small. #physics #quantum #iyq

Is Particle Physics Dead, Dying, or Just Hard? | Quanta Magazine Columnist Natalie Wolchover checks in with particle physicists more than a decade after the field entered a profound crisis.

First column for Quanta Magazine's new essay section, Qualia.

I take stock of particle physics, a field in crisis. What happened, and what now? Commentary here from many angles.

Please lmk your thoughts, or any tips or topic ideas I should look into. 🙏

www.quantamagazine.org/is-particle-...