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Physics

These are the most mind-melting physics discoveries of 2024

We collected some of the wildest physics that New Scientist covered in 2024, findings that are forcing scientists – and us – to rethink reality

By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

3 December 2024

The universe is even weirder than you’d expect

andrey_l/Shutterstock

The following is an extract from our Lost in Space-Time newsletter. Each month, we hand over the keyboard to a physicist or mathematician to tell you about fascinating ideas from their corner of the universe. You can sign up for Lost in Space-Time here.

Does your workday ever include picking fights about whether empty space is actually empty or whether time is an illusion? Has a co-worker ever told you that you’ve caused them emotional pain by discussing concepts from quantum field theory? Welcome to the life of a…

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