Showing papers in "Physics Today in 2012"
TL;DR: The irreproducibility of time-averaged observables in living cells poses fundamental questions for statistical mechanics and reshapes the views on cell biology.
Abstract: The irreproducibility of time-averaged observables in living cells poses fundamental questions for statistical mechanics and reshapes our views on cell biology.
630 citations
285 citations
227 citations
171 citations
TL;DR: Subpicosecond laser pulses can selectively excite modes of strongly correlated electron systems and controllably push materials from one ordered phase to another as discussed by the authors, and can be used to control the behavior of electron systems.
Abstract: Subpicosecond laser pulses can selectively excite modes of strongly correlated electron systems and controllably push materials from one ordered phase to another.
134 citations
TL;DR: Because of a previously unexploited weakness in tumor architecture, nanomaterials may offer a way to treat cancer without doing too much damage to healthy tissue.
Abstract: Because of a previously unexploited weakness in tumor architecture, nanomaterials may offer a way to treat cancer without doing too much damage to healthy tissue. The weakness isn’t really a property of the tumors themselves but of the blood vessels that feed them.
127 citations
TL;DR: In a future quantum internet, individual photons might well be the agents that carry information between different kinds of devices, but physicists must first learn to tailor some of their essential features.
Abstract: In a future quantum internet, individual photons might well be the agents that carry information between different kinds of devices. But physicists must first learn to tailor some of their essential features.
113 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a decades-old technology for producing low-level electric current has experienced a recent resurgence in interest and potential applications, and a number of applications have been proposed.
Abstract: A decades-old technology for producing low-level electric current has experienced a recent resurgence in interest and potential applications.
111 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it is possible to locate as well as download the beginning of infinity explanations that transform the world Book and find Jean Campbell eBook in layout for download cost-free.
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88 citations
TL;DR: In the form of ionic impurities in rocks and minerals, water lubricates tectonic plates, influences rock viscosities and melting processes, and slows down seismic waves as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the form of ionic impurities in rocks and minerals, water lubricates tectonic plates, influences rock viscosities and melting processes, and slows down seismic waves.
TL;DR: In a follow-up article as mentioned in this paper, Mann pointed out that such arguments are rooted in a cynical belief that if the science behind the hockey stick curve is dismissed, the whole climate change debate will collapse like a house of cards.
Abstract: league” of studies now tell the same story as the hockey stick: the earth has warmed signifi cantly in the last 1000–1400 years, humans are the cause, and we have an increasing number of droughts, heat waves, superstorms, and fl oods to show for it. Yet even among those who accept the scientifi c conclusions derived from the hockey stick, there are critics, including those who suggest that the observed warming trends are natural. Mann addressed this questionable claim in a 2017 article in Geophysical Research Letters2 in which he and his colleagues demonstrated that the years 2014, 2015, and 2016 were the warmest years on record (in ascending order) and estimated that it is highly unlikely that this trend was not due to human behavior. If you had approached Michael Mann while he was double majoring in applied mathematics and physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and told him he would one day be one of the most prominent public fi gures in the fi ght against climate change, he likely would have laughed in your face. A mild-mannered scientist at the center of one of the most politically contentious debates in the history of human civilization? It simply wasn’t the plan. Yet there he was in New Orleans, delivering an inspiring keynote address in which he recounted the “evolution of a science nerd” who became a conduit for conveying the science of climate change to the general public—and how he ultimately came to embrace this role. Mann was thrust into the spotlight in 1998 when he and his colleagues published the now-famous “hockey stick curve,” a graph illustrating the increasing global warming trends over the last 1000 years in which the curve is not so much a curve as it is an obtuse angle that resembles its namesake.1 The hockey stick curve became an icon of the climate change debate virtually overnight, and Mann just as quickly found himself at the center of efforts to discredit the graph—and discredit him—as a means of dismissing the case for human-caused climate change altogether. He eventually came to realize that such efforts are rooted in a cynical belief that if the science behind the hockey stick curve is dismissed, the whole climate change debate will collapse like a house of cards. Such attempts seem irrational in light of the evidence, particularly given Mann’s assertion that the science of humancaused climate change is neither new nor scientifi cally controversial (thanks largely to Joseph Fourier, the 18thcentury physicist credited with identifying the greenhouse effect). Furthermore, Mann suggested these attempts are more fallacious than ever given the myriad other lines of evidence for human-caused climate change that have surfaced since the hockey stick’s debut. A “veritable hockey SPEAKER: Michael E Mann Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science The Pennsylvania State University State College, Pennsylvania REPORTER: Peter J Olson Senior Copyediting Coordinator Sheridan Journal Services Waterbury, Vermont
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the need for collaborative science, forward-thinking policy, and an informed public to cope with the changes of the Earth's climate and destructive weather.
Abstract: Earth’s climate is warming, and destructive weather is growing more prevalent. Coping with the changes will require collaborative science, forward-thinking policy, and an informed public.
TL;DR: In this article, a look at a medium's microscopic behavior makes it possible to discriminate between liquid and gas everywhere on a phase diagram, even in high pressure and high temperature conditions.
Abstract: Standard ways to distinguish between the two phases don’t apply at high pressure and high temperature. But a look at a medium’s microscopic behavior makes it possible to discriminate between liquid and gas everywhere on a phase diagram.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe how networks that govern communication, growth, herd behavior, and other key processes in nature and society are becoming increasingly amenable to modeling, forecast, and control.
Abstract: Networks that govern communication, growth, herd behavior, and other key processes in nature and society are becoming increasingly amenable to modeling, forecast, and control.
TL;DR: From gut-inhabiting bacteria to sea-dwelling algae, microorganisms display a penchant for coordinated movement and nonlinear dynamics and fluid mechanics can help explain the curious behavior.
Abstract: From gut-inhabiting bacteria to sea-dwelling algae, microorganisms display a penchant for coordinated movement. Nonlinear dynamics and fluid mechanics can help explain the curious behavior.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that phases of matter distinguished by topological properties sometimes possess quasiparticles with bizarre statistics and those that do may see applications in quantum information processing.
Abstract: Phases of matter distinguished by topological properties sometimes possess quasiparticles with bizarre statistics. Those that do may see applications in quantum information processing.
TL;DR: A newly completed survey of 15 000 physicists worldwide reveals that women physicists still do not have equal access to the career-advancing resources and opportunities enjoyed by their male colleagues as discussed by the authors, which is a significant concern.
Abstract: A newly completed survey of 15 000 physicists worldwide reveals that women physicists still do not have equal access to the career-advancing resources and opportunities enjoyed by their male colleagues.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a window on extragalactic astrophysics by investigating atmospheric ionization, which led to the discovery of cosmic rays, and their investigation opened up particle physics.
Abstract: Twenty years after puzzling atmospheric ionization led to the discovery of cosmic rays, their investigation opened up particle physics. Now they’re providing a window on extragalactic astrophysics.
TL;DR: In this article, the benefits of photonics in astronomy are discussed. But the authors focus the light gathered and focused by a telescope must often be refocused onto spectrographs and other complex instruments.
Abstract: Light gathered and focused by a telescope must often be refocused onto spectrographs and other complex instruments. To such ends, astronomers are coming to realize the benefits of photonics.
TL;DR: In the region between the shallow region of sudden, infrequent earthquakes and the deeper home to continuous viscous motion lies an intermediate realm of intermittent sliding and rumbling as mentioned in this paper, which still harbors many secrets.
Abstract: Sandwiched between the shallow region of sudden, infrequent earthquakes and the deeper home to continuous viscous motion lies an intermediate realm of intermittent sliding and rumbling. Discovered in recent years, it still harbors many secrets.
TL;DR: Prickly, reclusive, and unemployed for most of his career, Heaviside nonetheless strongly influenced the evolution of 19th century electromagnetics as mentioned in this paper, leading to the development of the first fully connected circuit.
Abstract: Prickly, reclusive, and unemployed for most of his career, Heaviside nonetheless strongly influenced the evolution of 19th century electromagnetics.
TL;DR: Advances in detector technology, in concert with new synchrotron sources, x-ray optics, and computational methods, are opening new ways to probe the structure and dynamics of matter.
Abstract: Advances in detector technology, in concert with new synchrotron sources, x-ray optics, and computational methods, are opening new ways to probe the structure and dynamics of matter.
TL;DR: Penetrating particles created in the atmosphere reveal internal volcanic structures in much the same way that x rays image internal tissue and bones as mentioned in this paper, which can be used to identify volcanic structures.
Abstract: Penetrating particles created in the atmosphere reveal internal volcanic structures in much the same way that x rays image internal tissue and bones
TL;DR: With a statistical understanding of our natural rhythmic imperfections, one can make computer-generated music sound more human as mentioned in this paper, and this approach can be used to improve the quality of computer generated music.
Abstract: With a statistical understanding of our natural rhythmic imperfections, one can make computer-generated music sound more human.
TL;DR: Stacks made up of rods or staples display many behaviors not seen in the more familiar and better-studied sand piles as discussed by the authors, such as the tendency of rods and staples to stick together.
Abstract: Stacks made up of rods or staples display many behaviors not seen in the more familiar and better-studied sand piles.