A team of researchers has calculated that black holes cannot be formed from light due to quantum-mechanical effects causing too much energy loss through the Schwinger effect [1]. While general relativity suggests that light can curve spacetime and form a black hole, the necessary electromagnetic field strengths would generate an excessive amount of particle production … Read more
The Manhattan Project, which brought nuclear physics into the world following Germany’s technological innovations and military power, has inspired modern-day initiatives by democratic countries, including Australia and the US in quantum computing. This pursuit of breakthroughs aims to position these nations at the forefront of technological progress for both economic prosperity and national security. Australia’s … Read more
The “sudo” command, short for “superuser do,” is a valuable tool in Unix and Linux systems, allowing users to execute programs with elevated privileges without needing full administrative access. It enhances system security by reducing the need for constant administrator login and creating detailed logs of commands used. Microsoft has introduced this functionality to Windows … Read more
In “Everyday Philosophy,” we explore how to handle a ruthless colleague without becoming similar ourselves. Machiavelli and Erikson provide insights. I once had a colleague, Aiden, who was ambitious and quick to move up the career ladder. His methods were questionable, leaving me feeling disloyal and distasteful. Machiavelli, author of “The Prince,” advocated for ruthlessness … Read more
The Standard Model of particle physics, which explains the fundamental building blocks of matter and their interactions, is known to be incomplete. Scientists are searching for signs of new physics phenomena to guide them towards a more comprehensive theory. At the recent ICHEP conference, the ATLAS collaboration presented its first results from searches for new … Read more
Charged particles emit radiation when moving faster than the light phase speed in a medium, which forms a cone-shaped pattern, known as the Cherenkov effect. This phenomenon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1958 for its fundamental and practical applications. The oblique incidence of light on an interface between two media results in … Read more
Personal finance experts usually advise against buying unnecessary items while paying off debt. However, the author argues against this approach and shares her own spending rule called the “$1 rule.” This rule involves determining how many times you’ll use an item before buying it and only purchasing if the cost per use is $1 or … Read more
Researchers at the University of Liège have used Raman spectroscopy to determine the acidity of ionic liquids for the first time, outperforming traditional methods. This discovery is significant as ionic liquids contain more active protons due to lower proton solvation, making them much more acidic than water. Ionic liquids are composed of organic salts and … Read more
Here is a rewritten version of the text in simpler language: Uncertain Selves and the Quantum-Like Fabric of Awareness Every thought, every decision, and every observation creates something new. This idea can help us understand our minds. Thread One: The Observer Effect When we look at words or symbols, they take on meaning. Our perception … Read more
Warren Buffett’s decision to leave his fortune to a trust controlled by his children instead of the Gates Foundation will have negative consequences for the world. Buffett had planned to give away his estimated $137 billion fortune to the Gates Foundation after his death, but now it will be divided among his three adult children. … Read more