As science celebrates a century of quantum mechanics, physicists are on the cusp of unlocking new ways to manipulate its strange effects for breakthroughs in computing and timekeeping.
The Long and Short of Science
By Nancy Shute, Editor in Chief
May 24, 2025 at 7:00 am
A Century of Quantum Mechanics
This theory has led to many innovations, including semiconductor technologies, MRIs, lasers, and atomic clocks that make GPS navigation possible. The framework of quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of physics at very small scales, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This theory has led to many innovations, including semiconductor technologies, MRIs, lasers, and atomic clocks that make GPS navigation possible.
Warped Mirrors: The Quantum World
This phenomenon has been explored in various fields, including computing and timekeeping. The quantum world is like a funhouse with seriously warped mirrors. Quantum effects can connect two objects at great distances or make it possible for a hypothetical cat to be both alive and dead at the same time. This phenomenon has been explored in various fields, including computing and timekeeping.
The quantum world is a realm where strange phenomena govern the behavior of matter and energy.
At the subatomic level, particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, and their positions can be described only by probabilities.
Quantum mechanics explains these phenomena through wave-particle duality and the 'Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle' .
Research in this field has led to breakthroughs in computing, cryptography, and our understanding of 'space-time itself' .
A New Revolution Underway
They are also exploring whether birds use a quantum compass to detect magnetic fields. Physicists are already working on new ways to manipulate quantum weirdness for advances in computing and timekeeping. They are also exploring whether birds use a quantum compass to detect magnetic fields. Another significant scientific milestone is the 35th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, which has observed over 100 million objects since its launch.
Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
With its advanced optics and precise instruments, it captures breathtaking images and gathers vital data on celestial objects.
Orbiting at 340 miles above Earth, Hubble observes distant stars, galaxies, and planets with unparalleled clarity.
Its discoveries have confirmed the expansion of the universe and provided insights into dark matter and dark energy.
The Language of Apes
The passing of Kanzi, a bonobo who mastered symbols to communicate with humans, highlights the complex inner lives of intelligent and social animals. Recent research on nonhuman primates’ language abilities is revisiting the fraught history of studying these creatures. The passing of Kanzi, a bonobo who mastered symbols to communicate with humans, highlights the complex inner lives of intelligent and social animals. By isolating them from their community, researchers learned that apes are forced to live in a strange limbo between the human and ape worlds.
The bonobo (Pan paniscus) is a species of primate native to the Congo region in central Africa.
It is one of the closest relatives of humans, with a genetic makeup that is 98.8% similar to ours.
Bonobos are known for their advanced cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence.
They live in large communities, led by dominant females, and have been observed exhibiting complex behaviors such as empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution
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