Light turns out to have magnetic properties: old physics rule disproved

Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have disproved a rule that was considered unshakable for almost two centuries. Researchers have theoretically proven for the first time that the magnetic field of light interacts directly with spins in matter.

The work challenges the traditional understanding of the Faraday effect, a fundamental principle of electromagnetism. Previously, the rotation of the plane of polarization of light in a magnetic field was explained solely by the influence of the electric component of light.

The new study shows that the magnetic component makes a direct and measurable contribution. It accounts for approximately 17% of the observed rotation in visible light and up to 70% in the infrared range. Previously, these factors were considered negligible.

To test this, the team used a terbium-gallium garnet crystal, which is widely used in optics. The results confirmed that the magnetic field of light is the primary driver of interaction at long wavelengths.

#physics #science #magnet #Faraday

Wireless Space-Based Power Beaming Sets New Record

American space energy company Star Catcher Industries has set a new world record for wireless power transmission technology. During tests at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, its "Star Catcher Network" system successfully beamed 1.1 kilowatts of power, surpassing previous achievements.

The company used standard solar panels and an optical, multi-spectral laser. This method creates a highly concentrated beam of light that is transmitted to another array of solar panels to generate electricity. Unlike terrestrial solar power plants, space-based systems can operate 24/7, unaffected by weather.

The concept was originally proposed by scientist Peter Glaser in 1968. In the future, this could enable an "orbital power grid" for recharging satellites. The first orbital demonstration is planned for next year.

#Space #Energy #Innovation #Tech

Barley to be grown under Martian conditions in Rostov-on-Don

Scientists at the Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don have begun an experiment to grow barley in soil that simulates Martian soil. For this purpose, regolith from the Mojave Desert in California is used, whose properties are close to those of Martian sand.

Before the start of the experiment, the microorganisms involved in the research completed an orbital flight on the Bion-M No. 2 satellite. Scientists believe that such work will help not only in the exploration of other planets, but also in restoring the fertility of lands affected by pollution and fires. The goal is to understand how microorganisms tolerate space and to move closer to the terraforming of Mars.

#Mars #astronomy #physics #cosmos

Scientists have caught the universe's "ghost": dark matter winked at the Fermi telescope ✨

Until now, its existence was confirmed only by its gravitational influence on galaxies. But now, researchers from the University of Tokyo are reporting new, truly exciting data.

The observations were made using the Fermi space telescope, which detects gamma radiation. Scientists focused on the center of the Milky Way—where the concentration of dark matter is expected to be high.

What did they find?

The analysis revealed an unexpected spike in high-energy radiation. Its profile perfectly matches theoretical predictions for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) — the leading candidate for dark matter.

According to the model, the collision and annihilation of two such particles should produce a stream of particles, including high-energy gamma photons.

It is very difficult to explain this radiation with other known phenomena. The scientific community is cautiously optimistic. Awaiting additional independent research!

#science #space #darkmatter #discovery

World's Smallest LEDs Are 100x Smaller Than a Human Cell

Researchers at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) have created the world's smallest organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). They developed a one-step manufacturing process that increased the maximum pixel density by 2500x, producing LEDs with a diameter of just about 100 nanometers.

To demonstrate the technology, they assembled their university's logo from 2,800 of these microscopic LEDs. The entire structure stands just 20 micrometers tall - roughly the size of a single human cell.

The theoretical resolution for displays using this tech is a staggering 50,000 pixels per inch. This paves the way for:

▫️ Ultra-sharp displays for wearables
▫️ Powerful miniaturized lasers
▫️ Advanced microscopes for highly detailed imaging

Furthermore, the tiny size allows for precise light control, with potential applications in phased antennas for data transmission systems and future holographic displays.

#Science #Tech #OLED #Nanotech

Asteroid Bennu's Building Blocks of Life Revealed

Lab analysis of the samples from asteroid Bennu has confirmed the presence of tryptophan – an essential amino acid crucial for biological processes like infant growth and the production of proteins & enzymes.

This discovery adds to the growing list of protein-forming amino acids found on Bennu, which now stands at 15! Furthermore, the samples contain all five key biological nucleobases – the fundamental components of DNA and RNA.

Scientists suggest that asteroids like Bennu could have "seeded" the young Earth with these critical prebiotic materials, providing the raw ingredients for life to emerge.

These pristine 121.6-gram samples were delivered to Earth in 2023 by the OSIRIS-REx mission. Their uncontaminated state (unlike meteorites that burn in the atmosphere) makes this analysis incredibly valuable. Bennu's 4.5-billion-year-old chemistry offers a priceless window into the primordial materials of our early Solar System.

#OSIRISREx #Bennu #Astrobiology #Space

Freeze Without Cracking

Cryogenic sleep for interstellar travel is a staple of sci-fi. But before we can freeze astronauts, scientists need to solve a simpler problem: how to preserve a donor organ for more than a few hours. And it seems they've finally found a solution.

Cryopreservation — freezing biological tissue at ultra-low temperatures — has been in development for almost a century. Progress was slow until 2023, when researchers from Minnesota successfully transplanted a cryopreserved kidney from one rat to another. The organ worked. It was a breakthrough.

But with larger organs, the main problem remains: they crack during rapid cooling. That's not good enough for human transplantation.

Engineers from Texas A&M University found a way to prevent these cracks. They use vitrification: the tissue is frozen in a special solution that turns into a glass-like state. No ice crystals form, so cells aren't damaged. However, this "glass" itself can crack.

A team led by Dr. Matthew Powell-Palm discovered that the solution's composition is key. The crucial parameter is the glass transition temperature — the point at which a liquid becomes a glass. The higher this temperature, the lower the chance of cracking.

Now, scientists can purposefully design solutions with a high glass transition temperature. However, that's only half the battle — the solution must also be biocompatible.

The potential applications are vast: transplantology, preserving endangered species, stabilizing vaccines, reducing food waste. Essentially, it can extend the life of any biological sample.

And who knows, suspended animation for Mars colonists might not be so far off after all. 🚀

#Science #Biotech #Medicine

BlackSatellite's new Gen-3 satellite can distinguish cars, ships, and even people.

Less than 24 hours after launch, BlackSatellite's third next-generation Gen-3 satellite has delivered its first high-quality images to Earth. The satellite is capable of capturing exceptionally detailed imagery, where individual vehicles, ships, aircraft, and even people with their shadows are clearly visible. Image quality is expected to improve further once the satellite reaches its final operational orbit and completes calibration.

Traditionally, fulfilling satellite imagery orders can take months. The new Gen-3 platform promises to drastically cut this time. The company manufactures its own satellites, software, and AI-powered solutions to provide services to global clients.

#BlackSatellite #Gen3 #Satellite #EO #EarthObservation #AI #SpaceTech #Innovation

Black fungus from Chernobyl converts nuclear radiation into energy

The fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum, found in the highly radioactive ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, has the unique ability not only to survive, but also to use ionizing radiation for growth.

Research has shown that the secret lies in melanin, a pigment found in the cell walls of the fungus. In the presence of radioactive cesium, its growth accelerates by 10%, indicating a process of radiosynthesis—the conversion of radiation into energy.

Fungus samples were also sent to the ISS. Under conditions of intense cosmic radiation, the colony not only survived but also grew 1.21 times faster than control samples on Earth, while simultaneously shielding part of the radiation. This means that it can be used as biological protection against radiation.

#radiation #Chernobyl #fungus

76 young Chinese scientists died in 10 months. Why?

Data from the CSND platform shows a sharp increase in deaths among researchers under 60: 76 cases by October 2025 vs. 44 in all of 2024.

Public discussion points to extreme pressure, "publish or perish" culture, and a system prioritizing results over well-being. Studies link rising suicide rates among scientists to this systemic stress.

This isn't just a Chinese problem—it's a global academic crisis of burnout and anxiety among early-career researchers.

For China's tech ambitions, the health of its scientists is now a strategic issue.

#Science #Academia #China #WorkCulture #MentalHealth

Black Hole "Seen" Through a Supercomputer

Astrophysicists have created the most accurate model yet of a black hole devouring matter. To pull it off, they needed the two most powerful supercomputers on the planet.

They simulated accretion – the process where a black hole's gravity pulls in surrounding gas. This material forms a blazing hot disk, spins at insane speeds, and glows in X-rays – just like the disk famously imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2019.

The catch? Simulating this is hellishly complex. Previous models made big compromises, treating radiation as a kind of "fluid." These simplifications were necessary because solving the full equations of general relativity requires monstrous computing power.

A team led by Lijun Zhang developed new algorithms that solve the problem without approximations.

Our algorithm is the only one that handles radiation the way it truly behaves in general relativity,

says Zhang.

They ran the calculations on the Frontier and Aurora supercomputers – exascale monsters capable of a quintillion operations per second. Each one occupies an area of hundreds of square meters.

The focus was on stellar black holes (~10 solar masses). Unlike supermassive giants that change over centuries, these evolve in minutes or hours – perfect for studying dynamics.

The simulation revealed matter spiraling toward the event horizon, forming turbulent, radiation-saturated disks, and launching powerful winds and jets. Crucially, the results matched real observational data almost perfectly – the spectra of actual X-ray sources aligned with the model.

Next step is test if the model works for supermassive black holes – the giants that govern the evolution of entire galaxies.

#Astrophysics #BlackHole #Supercomputer #Science #Simulation #Space

Bioelectronics: Using Lab-Grown Neurons for Computing

Scientists are building biocomputers from lab-grown human brain cells. The technology uses 3D clusters of neurons — organoids — connected to electrodes. These systems are incredibly energy-efficient, using a million times less power than comparable supercomputers.

So far, biocomputers have learned to play Pong, recognize speech, and read Braille. The main research goal is to create neuron-based analogues of biological transistors.

The field is advancing rapidly — including commercial projects — faster than ethical guidelines are being formed, which worries many researchers. Scientists are quick to clarify: current organoids do not possess consciousness.

#Bioelectronics #Biocomputing #Neurotech #Science #Innovation