Understanding quantum computing’s most troubling problem—the barren plateau
In variational quantum computing, a barren plateau represents a mathematical point from which quantum algorithms reach a dead…
Decades-old mystery of AlCl dipole moment resolved
Credit: Adrien Olichon from Pexels In a study that closes a long-standing knowledge gap in fundamental science, researchers…
Supernovae may have kicked off abrupt climate shifts in the past—and they could again
The Vela supernova remnant, the remains of a supernova explosion 800 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation…
Charge-parity symmetry breaking revealed in Rydberg atom multibody systems
Schematic of many-body interaction induced EPs and hysteresis loops in Rydberg atoms. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58850-y…
Quantum navigation device uses atoms to measure acceleration in 3D
Kendall Mehling, left, and Catie LeDesma, right, with a new kind of atom “interferometer” on the CU Boulder…
Here’s what happens when quark-gluon plasma ‘splashes’ during the most energetic particle collisions
An artistic representation of a liquidlike fireball of “quark-gluon plasma” (QGP) created in a collision of two gold…
Gentle robot gripper gives plant leaves a ‘shot’ of sensors and genes for smart farming
The soft robotic leaf gripper injects leaves with sensors that help it detect and communicate with its environment.…
Deciphering the behavior of heavy particles in the hottest matter in the universe
Lower pole (left panel) and higher pole (center panel) of the 𝐷0(2300) state, obtained upon unitarization of the…
New measurements for M87’s supermassive black hole: Spin and accretion rate
M87*. Credit: Event Horizon Telescope The monster black hole lurking at the center of galaxy M87 is an…
Europe’s plan for faster space travel
Alumni nuclear thermal propulsion system schematic. Credit: ESA Getting to Mars takes a really long time, about nine…