New Scientist - Physics

1. Solving Stephen Hawking’s black hole paradox has raised new mysteries
   Physicists finally know whether black holes destroy the information contained in infalling matter. The problem is that the answer hasn’t lit the way to a new understanding of space-time
2. The laws of physics appear to follow a mysterious mathematical pattern
   The symbols and mathematical operations used in the laws of physics follow a pattern that could reveal something fundamental about the universe
3. Indestructible quantum rifts can exist in two places at once
   Researchers used a collection of charged atoms to create a quantum superposition of an exotic type of defect
4. Quantum theory is challenging long-standing ideas about entropy
   A mathematical study finds that three definitions of what it means for entropy to increase, which have previously been considered equivalent, can produce different results in the quantum realm
5. Tiniest 'ruler' ever measures distances as small as an atom's width
   A new technique uses glowing molecules, laser light and microscopes to measure distances as minuscule as 0.1 nanometres – the width of a typical atom
6. This test could reveal whether gravity is subject to quantum weirdness
   If gravity is a truly quantum entity, something as simple as measuring the strength of an object’s gravitational field should change its quantum state
7. Certain quantum systems may be able to defy entropy's effects forever
   A mathematical proof shows that some quantum states can resist nature’s tendency to disorder – but only under very specific conditions
8. The physicist who argues that there are no objective laws of physics
   Daniele Oriti’s pursuit of a theory of quantum gravity has led him to the startling conclusion that the laws of nature don’t exist independently of us – a perspective shift that could yield fresh breakthroughs
9. Light has been seen leaving an atom cloud before it entered
   Particles of light can spend "negative time" passing through a cloud of extremely cold atoms – without breaking the laws of physics
10. We physicists could learn a lot by stepping beyond our specialisms
    A recent atomic physics workshop was outside my dark matter comfort zone, but learning about science beyond my usual boundaries was invigorating, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein