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Artist’s impression of a black hole during one of its short periods of rapid growth

Massive black hole in the early universe spotted taking a ‘nap’ after overeating

18 Dec 2024

Scientists have spotted a massive black hole in the early universe that is ‘napping’ after stuffing itself with too much food.

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Abstract colourful lines

A peek inside the box that could help solve a quantum mystery

19 Nov 2024

An elusive particle that first formed in the hot, dense early universe has puzzled physicists for decades. Following its discovery in 2003...

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Magnetic monopoles in hematite

Diamonds and rust help unveil ‘impossible’ quasi-particles

05 Dec 2023

Researchers have discovered magnetic monopoles – isolated magnetic charges – in a material closely related to rust, a result that could be used to...

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Digital generated image of abstract glowing tech data tunnel

Simulations of ‘backwards time travel’ can improve scientific experiments

12 Oct 2023

Physicists have shown that simulating models of hypothetical time travel can solve experimental problems that appear impossible to solve using...

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Digital generated image of multi coloured glowing data over landscape.

Machine learning models can produce reliable results even with limited training data

19 Sep 2023

Researchers have determined how to build reliable machine learning models that can understand complex equations in real-world situations while using...

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Artist's illustration of photosynthesis

Photosynthesis ‘hack’ could lead to new ways of generating renewable energy

22 Mar 2023

Researchers have ‘hacked’ the earliest stages of photosynthesis, the natural machine that powers the vast majority of life on Earth, and discovered...

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Emily Mitchell, Didier Queloz, Kate Adamal, Carl Zimmer. Landscape with Milky way galaxy. Sunrise and Earth view from space with Milky way galaxy. (Elements of this image furnished by NASA).

Humanity’s quest to discover the origins of life in the universe

08 Mar 2023

Scientists from the University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago have founded the Origins Federation, which...

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Abstract image

Researchers devise a new path toward ‘quantum light’

02 Feb 2023

Researchers have theorised a new mechanism to generate high-energy ‘quantum light’, which could be used to investigate new properties of matter at...

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People charging their electric cars at charging station

Machine learning algorithm predicts how to get the most out of electric vehicle batteries

23 Aug 2022

Researchers have developed a machine learning algorithm that could help reduce charging times and prolong battery life in electric vehicles by...

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Geometric abstract background with connected line and dots

AI tackles the challenge of materials structure prediction

27 Jul 2022

Researchers have designed a machine learning method that can predict the structure of new materials with five times the efficiency of the current...

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Suchitra Sebastian

Professor Suchitra Sebastian to receive the Schmidt Science Polymaths Award

30 Jun 2022

Cambridge physicist Professor Suchitra Sebastian to join group of ten recently tenured professors named to Polymath Program, awarded up to $2.5...

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Venus, from Mariner 10

No signs (yet) of life on Venus

14 Jun 2022

The unusual behaviour of sulphur in Venus’ atmosphere cannot be explained by an ‘aerial’ form of extra-terrestrial life, according to a new study.

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