Did gravity save the universe after the Big Bang?
19 November, 2014European physicists have put forward an explanation as to why the universe did not collapse immediately after the Big Bang. Their theory follows studies which suggest that the production of Higgs particles during the accelerating expansion of the very early universe (inflation) should have led to instability and collapse.
Slipstreaming reduces drag for horses, too
31 October, 2014In the lead-up to the 2014 Melbourne Cup, RMIT researchers have revealed a tip for those jockeys looking to reduce drag on a horse during a race.
Things can be real, or certain, but not both
29 September, 2014Experimenting within quantum theory is an extremely complex process, where common intuitions are regularly inverted within shifting reality. Over the years, several quantum features and methods of their study have been identified.
Brazuca soccer ball plays better at higher altitudes
30 June, 2014A study into the 2014 World Cup soccer ball, the Brazuca, has found that the ball will play better at Brazil's higher altitude stadiums.
The physics behind a World Cup soccer ball
06 June, 2014A new soccer ball, the Brazuca, has been created for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Physics experts from the University of Adelaide have described it is a 'keepers' ball', in contrast with the 2010 ball, the Jabulani.
Scientists create a superheavy element
06 May, 2014An international research team has created and observed several atoms of the superheavy element with atomic number 117. The measured properties of the atoms strengthen the case for official recognition of 117 as a new element.
Aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic car
16 April, 2014An engineer working on the Bloodhound SSC (supersonic car) project has published a paper on the aerodynamic characteristics of travelling at 1000 mph (1609 km/h), increasing the current land speed record (LSR) by over 30%.
First evidence of cosmic inflation found
21 March, 2014Researchers from the BICEP2 collaboration have announced the first direct evidence of cosmic inflation - the rapid expansion of the universe which immediately followed the Big Bang. Until now, the idea of this exponential expansion was just a theory.
Strings of galaxies found in empty space
11 March, 2014Australian astronomers have discovered short, delicate strings of faint galaxies in what were previously thought to be extremely empty parts of space.
Giant Magellan Telescope passes design and construction reviews
24 February, 2014The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) project has passed two major expert reviews over its design and construction. This clears the way for the project to proceed towards construction approval.
Australia expands its role in the hunt for gravitational waves
21 January, 2014Physicists from around Australia today met at the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre (AIGCRC), in Gingin, WA, to launch a nationwide project that expands our participation in the hunt for elusive gravitational waves.
Gravitational waves provide new way of studying the universe
29 November, 2013The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that it will create an observatory in space to detect ripples in the fabric of space-time, known as gravitational waves, which are created by celestial objects with very strong gravity, such as the merging of black holes. Researchers say this will expand the way in which they can observe the universe.
Preparing for the world's largest radio telescope
07 November, 2013The international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) office has awarded contracts to prepare for the world's largest radio telescope, marking the start of the return on Australia and WA's investment in the SKA.
Delboeuf illusion causes dentists to drill bigger holes
04 November, 2013The Delboeuf illusion is an optical illusion whereby a large context makes a small, enclosed area appear smaller than it really is. Researchers have found that this illusion is having an impact in the field of dentistry, with some dentists making larger holes in teeth than they really need to.
Heisenberg's error-disturbance relation proved correct
22 October, 2013One of the basic concepts in quantum mechanics is that it is impossible to observe physical objects without affecting them in a significant way; there can be no measurement without disturbance. In 1927, theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg claimed that this fact could be expressed as an uncertainty relation, describing a reciprocal relation between the accuracy in position and the disturbance in momentum.
