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Physics

  1. a snapshot of a computer simulation of the early universe, showing radiation as blue clouds emanating from dense filaments of stars and galaxies (shown as white specks)
    Astronomy

     A new supercomputer simulation animates the evolution of the universe

    The detailed simulation shows the cosmos changing from a dark, featureless gas to a web of stars and galaxies radiating light.
    By James R. Riordon
  2. An underwater photo of a diver after entering the water with diving boards visible above the water line
    Physics

     Physicists explain how to execute a nearly splashless dive

    A pocket of air lets elite divers pull off the rip entry, breaking through the water without sending it flying.
    By James R. Riordon
  3. 5 urinals, of different styles, mounted on a blue tiled wall
    Physics

    How physics can improve the urinal

    Urinals built with curves like those in nautilus shells eliminate the splash-back common with conventional commodes.
    By James R. Riordon
  4. A young girl blows on a dandelion with the seeds scattering on the wind
    Plants

     Why dandelion seeds are so good at spreading widely

    Individual seeds on a dandelion flower are programmed to let go for a specific wind direction, allowing them to spread widely as the wind shifts.
    By James R. Riordon
  5. A microscope image of the nanoscopic balls on a black background
    Physics

     Zapping tiny metal drops with sound creates wires for soft electronics

    Wearable medical devices and stretchable displays could benefit from a way to use high-frequency sound to create liquid metal wires.
    By James R. Riordon
  6. A photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on a bright sunny day
    Physics

     Crowdsourced cell phone data could keep bridges safe and strong

    Accelerometers and GPS sensors in smartphones could provide frequent, real-time data on bridge vibrations, and alert engineers to changes in integrity
    By James R. Riordon
  7. One polar bear stands and holds its paws up, while another walks along sea ice
    Animals

     Here’s how polar bears might get traction on snow

    Microstructures on the Arctic animals’ paws might offer extra friction that keeps them from slipping on snow, a new study reports.
    By Meghan Rosen
  8. A swarm of locusts flies over a field.
    Animals

     Insect swarms might generate as much electric charge as storm clouds

    Honeybees flying over a sensor measuring atmospheric voltage sparked a look into how insect-induced static electricity might affect the atmosphere.
    By Darren Incorvaia
  9. Wind turbines stand near a coal-fired power plant in Germany, with steam rising from the plant's cooling towers.
    Climate

     Wind turbines could help capture carbon dioxide while providing power

    Turbulent wakes from wind turbines can concentrate CO2 from cities and factories, making it easier to remove the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.

    By James R. Riordon
  10. Photo of Typhoon Hinnamnor from space as it swirls in the western Pacific Ocean.
    Earth

     Particles from space provide a new look inside cyclones

    Cosmic rays that smash into the atmosphere make muons that are sensitive to changing air pressure inside storms.
    By James R. Riordon
  11. An illustration of a proton with red, blue, and green quarks
    Physics

     Protons may be stretchier than physics predicts

    Studying how quarks inside protons move in response to electric fields shows that protons seem to stretch more than theory says they should.
    By James R. Riordon
  12. bull sperm swimming in various directions
    Health & Medicine

     Cooperative sperm outrun loners in the mating race

    Sperm that swim in clusters travel more directly toward the uterus, while overcoming fluid currents in the reproductive tract.
    By James R. Riordon