In a groundbreaking experiment, scientists have confirmed the superfluid properties of supersolids by observing the formation of quantized vortices—mini-tornadoes in a quantum gas. This breakthrough offers new insights into the coexistence of solid and fluid characteristics in these exotic states of matter, opening up exciting possibilities for the study of quantum systems and astrophysical phenomena.

The concept of supersolids—materials that simultaneously exhibit the rigidity of solids and the fluidity of superfluids—may seem paradoxical. However, more than 50 years ago, physicists predicted that quantum mechanics could allow such a state. As Francesca Ferlaino, from the University of Innsbruck and the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI), explains, “A supersolid is both rigid and liquid, much like Schrödinger’s cat, which is both alive and dead.”

Controlling technology with just your mind may have once been the realm of science fiction, but advances in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology have brought it much closer to reality. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery in noninvasive, high-resolution brain activity recording. In a recent paper published in Scientific Reports, the team revealed that neural tissue deformations could provide a novel signal for brain activity, one that could revolutionize future BCI devices.

Unlike current BCI technologies, which often require invasive surgical implants to record and interpret neural signals, this new approach offers a noninvasive alternative with the potential for broader applications. “Today, the highest impact BCI technologies require invasive surgical implants to record and decode brain activity,” explained Mike Wolmetz, program manager for Human and Machine Intelligence at APL. “Our findings present the foundations for a new approach that could significantly expand the possibilities for nonsurgical BCI.”

The dream of exploring the far reaches of space and establishing human civilization on distant planets has captivated our imagination for generations. For centuries, we’ve known that most stars likely have their own planetary systems, and many have argued that humanity should not only explore these worlds but also settle on them. With the advent of the Space Age, this once fantastical notion has transformed into a scientific pursuit. However, the challenges of reaching another star system are immense, and the task of sending crewed missions beyond our solar system remains a distant, albeit tantalizing, goal.

When it comes down to it, there are two primary ways to make crewed interstellar travel a reality: the development of advanced propulsion systems capable of achieving relativistic speeds (a significant fraction of the speed of light), or the creation of spacecraft designed to sustain human life over multiple generations—also known as Generation Ships or Worldships.