Archive

Two methods of measuring the neutron's longevity give different answers, creating uncertainty in cosmological models. But no one has a clue what the problem is.

Modelers find evidence that a combination of competition, predation and evolution will push ecosystems toward species diversity anywhere in the universe.

When faced with a difficult decision, should you go with your gut or carefully calculate the attendant risks?

The mathematician Gil Kalai believes that quantum computers can't possibly work, even in principle.

Stimulating part of the cortex as needed during learning tasks improves later recall. The finding reveals more about the brain's memory network and points toward possible therapies.

Simple math shows how widespread vaccination can disrupt the exponential spread of disease and prevent epidemics.

The quest for "quantum supremacy" – unambiguous proof that a quantum computer does something faster than an ordinary computer – has paradoxically led to a boom in quasi-quantum classical algorithms.

Cosmologists have shown that it’s theoretically possible for a contracting universe to bounce and expand. The new work resuscitates an old idea that directly challenges the Big Bang theory of cosmic origins.

A method for estimating distances in sailing and astrophysics helps explain why riding on buses and boats can make us nauseous.