Theory of everything: how a fear of failure is hampering physicists’ quest for the ultimate answer

In trying to solve the ultimate problem, we may have inadvertently created a monster.

Sam McKee, Lecturer and researcher in Philosophy of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University • conversation
May 29, 2024 ~7 min

How long before quantum computers can benefit society? That’s Google’s US$5 million question

Quantum computing has huge promise from a technical perspective, but the practical benefits are less clear.

Adam Lowe, Lecturer, School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies, Aston University • conversation
March 26, 2024 ~7 min


Conspiracy theorists seem to favour an intuitive thinking style – here’s why that’s important

The pros and pitfalls of this type of thinking

Darel Cookson, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
March 20, 2024 ~7 min

Dark energy is one of the biggest puzzles in science and we're now a step closer to understanding it

The nature of dark energy remains one of the biggest puzzles in cosmology.

Robert Nichol, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, University of Surrey • conversation
Jan. 8, 2024 ~6 min

Why are some black holes bigger than others? An astronomer explains how these celestial vacuums grow

Pictures of black holes have a white outline around them when photographed, due to one of black holes’ unique and key features.

Jaclyn Champagne, JASPER Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 ~6 min

I helped select the Nobel laureates in physics – here's how our committee decides

The discussions in the committee are always open, frank and sometimes emotional, but never hostile.

Mats Larsson, Professor of molecular physics, Stockholm University • conversation
Oct. 5, 2023 ~6 min

Female physicists aren't represented in the media – and this lack of representation hurts the physics field

The trailer for ‘Oppenheimer’ fails to include female physicists, which is indicative of a broader media trend that, if reversed, could lead to greater gender diversity in science.

Chandralekha Singh, Distinguished Professor of Physics, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
July 12, 2023 ~8 min

Gravitational wave detector LIGO is back online after 3 years of upgrades – how the world's most sensitive yardstick reveals secrets of the universe

Upgrades to the hardware and software of the advanced observatory should allow astrophysicists to detect much fainter gravitational waves than before.

Chad Hanna, Professor of Physics, Penn State • conversation
May 22, 2023 ~10 min


Why does time change when traveling close to the speed of light? A physicist explains

Your experience of time is relative because it depends on motion – more specifically, your speed and acceleration.

Michael Lam, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
March 20, 2023 ~7 min

Curious Kids: is there such a thing as nothing?

Nothing is harder to find than you might think.

Jacco van Loon, Astronomer, Keele University • conversation
Jan. 17, 2023 ~6 min

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