Physics. (Science News of the year: the weekly newsmagazine of science).Quick-change artists Observations of ghostly neutrinos from the sun and from nuclear-power reactors suggested that all neutrino neutrino (n  trē`nō) [Ital.,=little neutral (particle)], elementary particle with no electric charge and a very small mass emitted during the decay of certain other particles. types violate the prevailing theory of particle physics particle physicsor high-energy physics Study of the fundamental subatomic particles, including both matter (and antimatter) and the carrier particles of the fundamental interactions as described by quantum field theory. by frequently changing their identities (161: 301; 162: 371). Wiring atoms Scientists demonstrated transistor action by a single atom (162: 88 *). Muon-go-round A deviation from theoretical predictions of the magnetic strengths of subatomic subatomic /sub·atom·ic/ (-ah-tom´ik) of or pertaining to the constituent parts of an atom. sub·a·tom·ic adj. 1. Of or relating to the constituents of the atom. 2. muons hinted at an undiscovered realm of elementary particles (162: 158). Yin yang Electron bombardment of neutrons revealed that the nominally neutral particles contain regions of positive and negative charge (161: 262). All In the family Exotic cousins of protons and neutrons known as doubly charmed baryons Charmed baryons are a category of composite particles comprising all baryons with at least one unit of charm (quantum number). In quark model terms, charmed baryons consist of three quarks, one or more of which is a charm quark. made their laboratory debut (162: 14). False physics Two prominent physicists lost their jobs following allegations that they had fabricated data in landmark experiments (162: 37, 214). Wee black holes Theorists proposed that ultradense specks of matter--microscopic black holes--might fleetingly appear in Earth's atmosphere “Air” redirects here. For other uses, see Air (disambiguation). Earth's atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth and retained by the Earth's gravity. It contains roughly (by molar content/volume) 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0. and in a powerful particle accelerator soon to be built (161: 187 *). Bubble power In a controversial claim, researchers presented evidence of nuclear fusion in bubbles imploding in a liquid bombarded by sound waves (161: 147 *). Other scientists reported that a cooling process in such bubbles makes fusion unlikely (162: 125). Bright palette Researchers unveiled a novel microchip that's a laser that emits a band of infrared light rather than the single, pure wavelength of a typical laser (161: 115 *). Hard to beat In ultrahigh-compression experiments, the rare metal osmium osmium (ŏz`mēəm), metallic chemical element; symbol Os; at. no. 76; at. wt. 190.2; m.p. 3,045±30°C;; b.p. 5,027±100°C;; sp. gr. 22.57 at 20°C;; valence usually +0 to +8. outperformed diamond for sturdiness (161: 211 *). Meanwhile, scientists continued to improve synthetic diamonds (162: 165 *). * An asterisk indicates that the text of the item is available free on SCIENCE NEWS ONLINE (http://www.sciencenews.org). |
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