Fri, Aug 16, 2019
Sabine argues that Einstein's Theory of General Relativity isn't quite right because it cannot handle singularities and can't answer the questions handled by quantum mechanics. So it must be incomplete. What is needed is a theory of quantum gravity.
Thu, Sep 26, 2019
A difficulty with Coppenhagen interpretation is that it gives probabilities for experimental outcomes. But in reality we always measure only a single outcome with 100% certainty - the wave function collapse. The many worlds interpretation deals with this by contending that both outcomes occur by creating new universes. But Sabine argues that this is no different that the wave function collapse concept.
Tue, Apr 28, 2020
Hempel's Paradox, also known as the raven paradox, uses a hypothetical black raven to explore the scientific method. It is intended to help scientists determine which observations are evidence in favor of a theory, since not every instance can be tested, and how significant that evidence is.
Fri, Apr 30, 2021
Initially dark matter appeared to be a nice neat theory to explain certain phenomenon of light and stars and galaxies where there was not enough mater to to explain their behavior. But as cosmologists looked further they found other behaviors that dark matter couldn't explain but an alternative theory, modified gravity, handles well. Unfortunately modified gravity has trouble with some behavior that dark matter explains. So which theory is best. Dr. Hossenfelder believes we need to embrace both and work toward combining them into a unified theory.
Fri, Jul 2, 2021
It is theoretically possible to create a tiny universe by creating a false vacuum, e.g. a volume filled with energy but lacking any matter. To do it would require the energy equivalent of ten kilograms of matter (per Einstein's equation). It's the sort of event done in the Large Hadron Collider but with far, far...far less energy. According to theory such a universe wouldn't grow to destroy our universe but separate from it never to be see again.
Fri, Jul 16, 2021
As physicists struggle to detect dark matter many wonder if it really exists. Maybe the behavior attributed to dark matter and gravity is entirely different - a fifth fundamental force. If so scientists are probably looking in the right places; the edge of the universe if it's a long distance force, or exotic fundamental particle with the Large Hadron Collider if it's a short range force.
Fri, Aug 27, 2021
If you think quantum mechanics is weird Dr. Hossenfelder agrees with you. But it's not quantum entanglement or the superposition of states (e.g. Shroedinger's cat) that bother's her. It's Elitzur's and Vaidman's bomb experiment that tells you an event didn't happen when checking to see if it happened would make it happen.
Fri, Nov 19, 2021
In 2016 several US diplomats fell ill with mysterious symptoms. Since then other US diplomats around the world experienced similar symptoms. The cause is still uncertain but research have pretty much ruled out mass hysteria in favor of microwaves or ultrasound. Here's why.
Fri, Nov 26, 2021
Sabine once took an in depth look at whether dark matter and dark energy could be caused by anti-gravity. The answer is no but the process of demonstrating that clarifies some interesting aspect of antimatter, anti-gravity and, of course, dark matter and dark energy.
Fri, Mar 4, 2022
Sabine examines the debate about cosmic inflation in the earlier universe which some scientists contend is an exercise in data fitting. Sabine challenges the logic of both the arguments in favor and opposed to inflation.
Fri, Jun 24, 2022
The bee-apocalypse is still with us but bee keepers have it under control in their domesticated honey colonies. But the wild bees, which are essential for many plant species, are still at risk and their condition isn't understood at all well.
Fri, Nov 4, 2022
Quantum technology has attracted considerable investment by Sabine believes it is based on hype and will take much longer and yield less benefit that claimed. In that she's not alone.
Fri, Feb 16, 2024
Time crystals are a ground breaking discovering in physics that is waiting for an equally ground breaking application to produce the next Nobel Prize winner.
Mon, Feb 19, 2024
Despite the naysayers companies in France and Netherlands are moving full steam(?) ahead with Thorium nuclear reactors.
Sun, Mar 3, 2024
The original neural networks were trained with human generated data. But what will happen as AI generated data becomes prevalent and a growing part of future training data. Studies suggest the result will be less diversity and an increase in nonsense in the output. In other words; AI generated data is garbage in.
Wed, Mar 20, 2024
The closest super-massive black hole at the center of our own Milky Way offers a close look at unusual black hole behavior with the specialized telescopes that are now available.
Sat, May 11, 2024
Oppenheim and Russo have proposed the theory Postquantum Gravity that incorporates the randomness of quantum theory and general relativity and includes variables that coincidentally look like dark matter and dark energy.
Mon, Jul 1, 2024
Billl Gates new company Terropower is building a nuclear sodium cooled fast reactor, dubbed Natrium, that incorporates energy storage using a molten salt reservoir to better serve peak periods of electricity need.
Sat, Jul 6, 2024
Astronomers have observed the expected cosmological time dilation effect by observing type 1a supernovae. The supernovae appear from Earth to occur more slowly than nearby supernova.
Tue, Aug 13, 2024
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer on the International Space Station has detected several atoms of both anti-helium 3 and 4 in Earth orbit meaning it has a cosmic source.
Mon, Aug 19, 2024
Nuclear waste is still jam-packed with energy. But there are ways to make use of it that also reduce its radioactivity. So maybe we should think of nuclear waste as a bi-product?