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This strange new phase of matter could transform quantum technology

As traditional chip miniaturization slows, researchers have found a way to pack more computing power into the same space by stacking silicon circuits in multiple layers. The new process uses ultra-thin silicon membranes and low-temperature manufacturing techniques to overcome a major obstacle that has long blocked the production of true 3D chips.

Stanford quantum computing breakthrough uses twisted light to work without extreme cooling

By stacking custom-designed silver nanoparticles like nanoscale LEGO bricks, scientists stabilized a mysterious crystal phase that had never been observed before. The material not only solves a longstanding puzzle in materials science but also exhibits promising quantum properties at room temperature.

Astronomers finally solve Saturn’s decades-long spin mystery

A new room-temperature quantum device uses twisted light to entangle photons and electrons, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles in quantum technology. The breakthrough could pave the way for smaller, cheaper quantum systems with applications ranging from secure communications to future AI and computing platforms.

Twisted graphene reveals a hidden superconductivity switch

A decades-old mystery about Saturn has finally been solved thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists discovered that Saturn’s changing “rotation rate” was never caused by the planet speeding up or slowing down, but by powerful winds high in its atmosphere. Webb’s unprecedented observations revealed that Saturn’s northern lights actively heat the atmosphere, creating winds that generate electrical currents, which then power the aurora all over again in a self-sustaining cycle.

Rogue planet moons could harbor alien life for billions of years

Scientists have uncovered a surprising new way to control superconductivity — the mysterious phenomenon where electricity flows with zero energy loss. By pairing twisted layers of graphene with a synthetic diamond material, researchers were able to effectively switch superconductivity on and off by tweaking how electrons interact with their surroundings. Even more intriguing, the material behaved in ways that defied the rules of conventional superconductors, hinting at an entirely new kind of physics.

A 100-year-old piano mystery has finally been solved

Scientists say moons around rogue planets wandering through the galaxy could remain warm enough for life thanks to tidal heating and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. These dark, starless worlds may have had stable oceans for billions of years — long enough for complex life to potentially emerge.

Scientists break 30-year superconductivity record at normal pressure

For more than a century, pianists and music teachers have argued over whether a performer’s touch can actually change the tone color of a piano note — and now scientists say the answer is yes. Using a cutting-edge sensor system that tracked piano key movements at 1,000 frames per second, researchers discovered that elite pianists subtly manipulate keys in ways that listeners can genuinely hear, even if they’ve never played piano before.

NASA’s Webb telescope discovers a planet where rock clouds vanish every night

Scientists at the University of Houston have shattered a long-standing superconductivity record, creating a material that can conduct electricity with zero resistance at the highest temperature ever achieved under normal pressure conditions. Their breakthrough pushes superconductivity to 151 Kelvin (minus 122°C), beating a record that stood for more than 30 years.

NASA’s Fermi telescope reveals the power source behind monster supernovae

A giant planet nearly 700 light-years away has a bizarre daily weather cycle where mineral clouds appear every morning and vanish by nightfall. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers discovered that WASP-94A b’s mornings are filled with clouds made of rock-like minerals, while its evenings are surprisingly clear. The finding gave scientists their clearest look yet into the planet’s atmosphere and revealed it’s far more Jupiter-like than previously believed.

Large Hadron Collider detects strange particle behavior that could rewrite physics

NASA’s Fermi telescope has detected what may be the first confirmed gamma-ray signal from a superluminous supernova — one of the most extreme explosions in the universe. Scientists believe the blast was powered by a rapidly spinning magnetar, an exotic neutron star with unbelievably strong magnetic fields. The event, called SN 2017egm, erupted 440 million light-years away and may help explain why some supernovae become extraordinarily bright.

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft uses Mars as a giant slingshot toward a mysterious metal world

Scientists working at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider may be seeing the strongest hints yet of physics beyond the Standard Model — the decades-old theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces of the universe. By studying incredibly rare particle transformations called “penguin decays,” researchers found behavior that doesn’t fully match theoretical predictions, raising the possibility that unknown particles or forces are influencing the results.

What to Know About China's DeepSeek AI

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft just used Mars as a giant gravitational slingshot to continue its journey toward a strange metal rich asteroid. The close flyby boosted the spacecraft’s speed by about 1,000 mph while also producing rare crescent images of Mars glowing through its dusty atmosphere.

Technology News from Wall Street Journal

The Chinese upstart says it has trained high-performing AI models cheaply, without using the most advanced chips.

Silicon Valley Is Raving About a Made-in-China AI Model

DeepSeek, SoFi and more in the latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom.

Reid Hoffman Raises $24.6 Million for AI Cancer-Research Startup

DeepSeek is called “amazing and impressive” despite working with less-advanced chips.

Can an App Replace a Personal Trainer? I Tested Nearly a Dozen to Find Out

The LinkedIn co-founder is starting Manas AI with “The Emperor of All Maladies” author Siddhartha Mukherjee.

Bill Gates on His Meeting With Trump, Musk's DOGE, His Childhood

Apps can add flexibility and freshness to your routine. Just try not to get injured.

The billionaire spoke with The Wall Street Journal ahead of his coming book, “Source Code.”

Meta Spending to Soar on AI, Massive Data Center

Find insight on Quebecor, Verizon, Texas Instruments and more in the latest Market Talks covering technology, media and telecom.

Canada to Review Amazon Contracts After Quebec Layoffs

The social-media giant plans to spend between $60 billion and $65 billion, the latest sign of tech companies’ accelerating investments into artificial intelligence.

Canada has warned Amazon.com that it is reviewing business ties with the company’s cloud-computing unit following Amazon’s decision to shut down its warehouses in Quebec, leading to the layoff of 1,700 workers.

Nvidia Supplier SK Hynix Posts Record Profit on AI Boom

Find insight on Electronic Arts, consumer spending on videogames, Meta and more in the latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom.

The South Korean memory-chip maker reported record quarterly and annual results after stronger-than-expected earnings for the final quarter of 2024 on robust chip demand.

Tech Leaders Pledge Up to $500 Billion in AI Investment in U.S.

Find insight on Netflix, U.S. advertising spending, AI joint venture Stargate and more in the latest Market Talks covering Technology, Media and Telecom.

OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank unveiled AI infrastructure plans at White House.