Editor's choice
John Bell and the most obscure journal in physics
Iulia Georgescu looks at the curious history of the journal Physics
Privacy risks from medical AI are greater than previously thought
Study reveals how sensitive health information about individual patients could be extracted from diagnostic medical AI models
Research updates
Experiments provide new insights into the reverse sprinkler problem
New experiments suggest that a reverse sprinkler is driven by angular momentum induced at its centre as water is drawn in
Quantum entanglement explains why strange metals are so strange
New measurements and a tool from quantum metrology provide new insights into metals with unusually high electrical resistance
Super-loud gravitational waves offer a new way to study black hole event horizons
Region near the "surface of no return" was previously only accessible with theoretical models
First medical X-ray images taken in space achieve diagnostic quality
Diagnostic X-ray images recorded during an orbital spaceflight exhibited similar contrast and spatial resolution to those taken preflight on Earth
Metasurface grating gives solar telescopes a boost
New optical device could fly on future space missions that study solar magnetic fields and space weather
Satellite-based sensor system designed to detect nuclear weapons in space
Proposed inspector satellite could one day provide a means for verifying the Outer Space Treaty
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The latest opinion and reviews
In the age of AI, we must double down on the skills that make us experts
Nicole Sharp says that our scientific judgement has never been more important
Evidence in action: how science helps us make better decisions
Anita Chandran reviews Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works by Helen Pearson
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The science of being ‘cultured’: a slide puzzle
Can you reconstruct this food-as-culture image in our interactive slide puzzle?
Read article: The science of being ‘cultured’: a slide puzzle
Environmental Research: Climate, fireside chat
Explore the current state of climate research, including changes in the field over the last five years since the launch of the journal, and direct us toward the future
Read article: Environmental Research: Climate, fireside chat
From galaxies to groceries: how Sarah Bridle made the switch from cosmology to food
Gleb Yakubov talks to Sarah Bridle a physicist who has studied food at the University of York
Read article: From galaxies to groceries: how Sarah Bridle made the switch from cosmology to food
Quiz of the week: what makes strange metals so strange?
Have you been keeping up to date with physics news? Try our short quiz to find out
Read article: Quiz of the week: what makes strange metals so strange?
Word flower puzzle no. 6
How many words can you find in this puzzle?
Read article: Word flower puzzle no. 6
Redefining radiotherapy QA: meeting the needs of modern treatment workflows
Radiotherapy QA must adapt to a new era of adaptive treatments, AI and automation
Read article: Redefining radiotherapy QA: meeting the needs of modern treatment workflows
The 2026 Physics World Instrumentation & Vacuum Briefing is out now
SI units, quantum sensors, compact particle acceleration and improved radiotherapy all feature in a new free-to-read briefing
Read article: The 2026 Physics World Instrumentation & Vacuum Briefing is out now
AI’s black box problem: discovering physics we don’t understand
Claire Malone wonders what happens if AI produces answers we can’t – or don’t – understand
Read article: AI’s black box problem: discovering physics we don’t understand
Metamaterial boosts heat transfer on the nanoscale
New finding could help improve technologies such as on-chip cooling and thermophotovoltaic systems
Read article: Metamaterial boosts heat transfer on the nanoscale
Quiz of the week: what techniques can be combined to predict the frequency of extreme weather events?
Have you been keeping up to date with physics news? Try our short quiz to find out
Read article: Quiz of the week: what techniques can be combined to predict the frequency of extreme weather events?
Study reveals the energy cost of Hannibal’s Alpine crossing
The Col du Clapier route would have been the more energetically favourable
Read article: Study reveals the energy cost of Hannibal’s Alpine crossing
Powerful cosmic winds may have destroyed galaxies in the early universe
Astronomers discover a huge plume of gas streaming out of a galaxy during rapid star formation
Read article: Powerful cosmic winds may have destroyed galaxies in the early universe
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For more than 60 years, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has applied science and technology to make the world a safer place. Its defining responsibility is ensuring the safety, security and reliability of the nation’s nuclear deterrent
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From bunkers to bright spaces: the future of smart shielded radiosurgery treatment rooms
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Discover how smart shielding enables bright, modern radiosurgery rooms beyond traditional bunker designs
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Innovations in Applied Mechanics 2026
23—26 September 2026 | London, UK
Innovations in Applied Mechanics brings together two previous, highly successful conferences MPSVA – Modern Practice in Stress and Vibration Analysis and DAMAS – International Conference on Damage Assessment in Structures to present research findings in stress analysis, vibration dynamics and structural damage assessment with the intention of providing directed focus on the state-of-the-art in theoretical and experimental methodology.
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