Physics, astronomy and space science.
A tabletop laser system produced tunable extreme-ultraviolet and soft-X-ray harmonics for potential use in resonant imaging and spectroscopy. The work could make some experiments less dependent on large free-electron-laser facilities, although the abstract does not report a direct imaging or spectroscopy demonstration.
Chemical and isotopic evidence from a silicate inclusion in the Aletai iron meteorite links IIIE iron meteorites with HED meteorites. The findings provide physical evidence that the metal core and rocky mantle of an early asteroid shared a common origin.
A 36.7-milligram ion-powered microrobot achieved controlled flight, hovering and sensing without mechanical moving parts. The experimental robot carried two sensors and completed predefined tasks while tethered hovering lasted up to one hour.
A major new review in particle physics compiles measured properties of major particle types, including the recently discovered Higgs boson. It adds 3,200 new measurements from 903 papers and updates many tables and reviews covering known particles and searches for hypothetical ones.
A review of evidence from Earth’s Hadean era and experiments on prebiotic chemistry finds that no single environment on early Earth appears to meet all the conditions needed for life to begin. Instead, the paper argues that multiple, connected processes across different settings likely helped build and stabilize the molecules that later became biology.
Researchers report a way to convert single infrared photons into targeted visible colors more efficiently and with much faster response. In NaYS2:Ho3+, they selectively enhance upconversion emissions by 2–3 orders of magnitude and cut response time from 30 ms to 54 μs, then demonstrate rapid, narrowband photodetection for low-threshold CO2 sensing.
