Latest news with #Tunnell
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Magnet Floating in a Superconductive Chamber Could Change Physics Forever
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Dark matter is thought to make up a little over a quarter of the universe, but it has never actually been detected. Researchers repurposed an experiment originally intended to detect gravity, which involved a floating magnet in a superconductive trap, predicting that gravity exerted by dark matter would interact with the magnet. The experiment is now being upgraded from a gravity detector to a dark matter detector, so expect version 2.0 soon. What we think of as 'the unknown' isn't always some hypothetical wormhole or alternate dimension. A lot of times, the 'unknown' is something real, but whose existence is impossible to prove even with the most advanced technology. We're talking about dark matter, which remains infamously elusive. From huge, hypersensitive underground detectors to the search for bizarre signatures in comic rays, it seems we have tried everything within our current capacity to directly observe even one particle of dark matter. But we do know a few things about this mystery matter—namely, that it exerts gravity, and therefore (supposedly) has mass. When gravitational forces exerted by bodies in space are beyond what is expected, dark matter is the explanation (but never the evidence). Maybe, however, dark matter could make its presence known another way. Astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell, of Rice University in Houston, saw an alternative method of detecting ultralight dark matter by repurposing what was originally a precise method of measuring gravity. This method uses a magnet floating in a chamber made of superconductive material. When cooled enough to transition to a state in which they can conduct electricity without resistance, superconductors expel magnetic fields and therefore repel magnets. This explains why a magnet in the middle of a superconductive trap will float right in the middle. It is being repelled in every direction, and there is nowhere else it can possibly go. Tunnell and his research team predicted that dark matter could be detected this way because of its quantum nature, meaning that it is thought to behave as both a particle and a wave. Dark matter can only interact with baryonic (normal) matter through gravity. If any dark matter came close to the levitating magnet—whether it behaved like a particle meandering around or a wave flowing through—the force of gravity it exerted should give the magnet an almost negligible shake. A quantum device known as a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) was used to detect any shifting of magnetic fields that would happen if gravity from an unseen source interacted with the magnet. 'We detect the motion of the particle using a superconducting pick-up loop at the top of the trap,' Tunnell said in a study recently published in Physical Review Letters. 'The motion of the magnet induces a change in flux in the loop, causing a superconducting current to run in the circuit.' Spoiler alert: dark matter has not been detected with this method so far. But it has potential. Tunnell plans to update the experiment and optimize it specifically for detecting dark matter instead of gravity. Some of the changes that could make it more sensitive include maximizing sensitivity to mass while reducing noise, using a heavier magnet, reducing vibrations in the trap, and upgrading the SQUID so it can more accurately detect changes in the magnetic field. This new proposed experiment will be named POLONAISE, after a Polish dance Tunnell and a colleague were doing to keep warm at an outdoor climate protest. 'Our result highlights the promise of this quantum sensing technology in the hunt for dark matter,' he said. 'We hope that it fuels initiatives in advancing experimental designs of magnetically levitated setups for astroparticle physics.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Chicago Tribune
14-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Where US adults think the government is spending too much, according to AP-NORC polling
WASHINGTON — Many U.S. adults believe the federal government is overspending — but polling also shows that many Americans, including Republicans, think the country is spending too little on major government programs such as Social Security. The polls from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggest that as President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk push for extensive cuts throughout the federal government, slashing funding for humanitarian aid and turning their attention to the Department of Education and the military, Americans may not agree with where Trump and Musk's cuts should ultimately fall. About two-thirds of Americans say the U.S. government is spending 'too little' on Social Security and education, according to a January AP-NORC poll. Another 6 in 10, roughly, say too little money is going to assistance to the poor. A similar share say spending is too low for Medicare, the national health care insurance program for seniors, and most also say Medicaid is under-funded by the federal government. About half say border security is not receiving enough funding. The perpetual challenge for lawmakers is that although U.S. adults mostly think the government isn't spending enough on key issues and programs, they are broadly in favor of cuts to the federal budget. AP-NORC polling from March 2023 found that 6 in 10 U.S. adults said the U.S. government was spending 'too much' overall. Most think the US is overspending on foreign aid Foreign aid is one area where there is broad consensus that the U.S. is overspending. The 2023 AP-NORC polling suggests that Americans tend to believe too much money is going to other countries. Roughly 7 in 10 U.S. adults said the government was putting too much money toward 'assistance to other countries.' About 9 in 10 Republicans and just over half of Democrats agreed that the country was overspending on foreign aid at the time. Richard Tunnell, a 33-year-old veteran living in Huntsville, Texas, said he believes the United States gets involved in other countries' problems too often. Tunnell, an independent who voted for Trump in November, is glad that Trump, a Republican, is prioritizing his 'America First' policies. 'Americans need to worry about Americans,' Tunnell said. 'There's atrocities happening on American soil just as much as there is on foreign soil. You know, if we can't clean up our own house, why the hell are we trying to clean up somebody else's house?' At the same time, polling has shown that U.S. adults tend to overestimate the share of the federal budget that is spent on foreign aid. Surveys from KFF have found that, on average, Americans say spending on foreign aid makes up 31% of the federal budget rather than the actual answer: closer to 1% or less. Republicans and Democrats say spending is too low for Social Security On both sides of the political aisle, very few U.S. adults think the country is spending too much on Social Security and Medicare, according to the January AP-NORC poll. But there are bigger divides on spending for the military, border security, Medicaid and assistance to the poor. About one-third of U.S. adults say the federal government is spending 'too much' on the military. About one-third say the military is getting 'too little' funding, and another one-third say it takes in 'about the right amount.' But most Republicans say the military is underfunded, while slightly less than half of Democrats say it's getting too much money. Jeremy Shouse, a 38-year-old Democrat in Durham, North Carolina, said he believes government assistance programs for ordinary Americans should be as well-funded as the U.S. military is. 'I think it's really a slap in our faces as Americans,' he said, referring to the underfunding of programs like Medicaid, which he has needed to use. 'When it comes down to school, Medicaid, any type of government assistance programs, the money is just kind of not there,' he said. 'Not like it is for the military or the Army.' Strong majorities of Democrats say the U.S. government spends 'too little' on assistance to the poor, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They are divided on funding for border security — about 4 in 10 say the funding is about the right amount, while 3 in 10 say it's too high and about 3 in 10 say it's too little — and tend to say federal law enforcement agencies such as the CIA and the FBI are getting the right amount of funding. Republicans tend to want more money for border security, Social Security and the military. About 8 in 10 Republicans say too little money is allocated to border security, and about two-thirds say that about Social Security. Originally Published: February 14, 2025 at 8:26 AM CST
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where US adults think the government is spending too much, according to AP-NORC polling
WASHINGTON (AP) — Many U.S. adults believe the federal government is overspending — but polling also shows that many Americans, including Republicans, think the country is spending too little on major government programs such as Social Security. The polls from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggest that as President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk push for extensive cuts throughout the federal government, slashing funding for humanitarian aid and turning their attention to the Department of Education and the military, Americans may not agree with where Trump and Musk's cuts should ultimately fall. About two-thirds of Americans say the U.S. government is spending 'too little' on Social Security and education, according to a January AP-NORC poll. Another 6 in 10, roughly, say too little money is going to assistance to the poor. A similar share say spending is too low for Medicare, the national health care insurance program for seniors, and most also say Medicaid is under-funded by the federal government. About half say border security is not receiving enough funding. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The perpetual challenge for lawmakers is that although U.S. adults mostly think the government isn't spending enough on key issues and programs, they are broadly in favor of cuts to the federal budget. AP-NORC polling from March 2023 found that 6 in 10 U.S. adults said the U.S. government was spending 'too much' overall. Most think the US is overspending on foreign aid Foreign aid is one area where there is broad consensus that the U.S. is overspending. The 2023 AP-NORC polling suggests that Americans tend to believe too much money is going to other countries. Roughly 7 in 10 U.S. adults said the government was putting too much money toward 'assistance to other countries.' About 9 in 10 Republicans and just over half of Democrats agreed that the country was overspending on foreign aid at the time. Richard Tunnell, a 33-year-old veteran living in Huntsville, Texas, said he believes the United States gets involved in other countries' problems too often. Tunnell, an independent who voted for Trump in November, is glad that Trump, a Republican, is prioritizing his 'America First' policies. 'Americans need to worry about Americans," Tunnell said. "There's atrocities happening on American soil just as much as there is on foreign soil. You know, if we can't clean up our own house, why the hell are we trying to clean up somebody else's house?" At the same time, polling has shown that U.S. adults tend to overestimate the share of the federal budget that is spent on foreign aid. Surveys from KFF have found that, on average, Americans say spending on foreign aid makes up 31% of the federal budget rather than the actual answer: closer to 1% or less. Republicans and Democrats say spending is too low for Social Security On both sides of the political aisle, very few U.S. adults think the country is spending too much on Social Security and Medicare, according to the January AP-NORC poll. But there are bigger divides on spending for the military, border security, Medicaid and assistance to the poor. About one-third of U.S. adults say the federal government is spending 'too much' on the military. About one-third say the military is getting 'too little' funding, and another one-third say it takes in 'about the right amount.' But most Republicans say the military is underfunded, while slightly less than half of Democrats say it's getting too much money. Jeremy Shouse, a 38-year-old Democrat in Durham, North Carolina, said he believes government assistance programs for ordinary Americans should be as well-funded as the U.S. military is. 'I think it's really a slap in our faces as Americans," he said, referring to the underfunding of programs like Medicaid, which he has needed to use. 'When it comes down to school, Medicaid, any type of government assistance programs, the money is just kind of not there," he said. "Not like it is for the military or the Army.' Strong majorities of Democrats say the U.S. government spends 'too little' on assistance to the poor, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They are divided on funding for border security — about 4 in 10 say the funding is about the right amount, while 3 in 10 say it's too high and about 3 in 10 say it's too little — and tend to say federal law enforcement agencies such as the CIA and the FBI are getting the right amount of funding. Republicans tend to want more money for border security, Social Security and the military. About 8 in 10 Republicans say too little money is allocated to border security, and about two-thirds say that about Social Security. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,147 adults was conducted Jan. 9-13, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
Associated Press
14-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Where US adults think the government is spending too much, according to AP-NORC polling
WASHINGTON (AP) — Many U.S. adults believe the federal government is overspending — but polling also shows that many Americans, including Republicans, think the country is spending too little on major government programs such as Social Security. The polls from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggest that as President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk push for extensive cuts throughout the federal government, slashing funding for humanitarian aid and turning their attention to the Department of Education and the military, Americans may not agree with where Trump and Musk's cuts should ultimately fall. About two-thirds of Americans say the U.S. government is spending 'too little' on Social Security and education, according to a January AP-NORC poll. Another 6 in 10, roughly, say too little money is going to assistance to the poor. A similar share say spending is too low for Medicare, the national health care insurance program for seniors, and most also say Medicaid is under-funded by the federal government. About half say border security is not receiving enough funding. The perpetual challenge for lawmakers is that although U.S. adults mostly think the government isn't spending enough on key issues and programs, they are broadly in favor of cuts to the federal budget. AP-NORC polling from March 2023 found that 6 in 10 U.S. adults said the U.S. government was spending 'too much' overall. Most think the US is overspending on foreign aid Foreign aid is one area where there is broad consensus that the U.S. is overspending. The 2023 AP-NORC polling suggests that Americans tend to believe too much money is going to other countries. Roughly 7 in 10 U.S. adults said the government was putting too much money toward 'assistance to other countries.' About 9 in 10 Republicans and just over half of Democrats agreed that the country was overspending on foreign aid at the time. Richard Tunnell, a 33-year-old veteran living in Huntsville, Texas, said he believes the United States gets involved in other countries' problems too often. Tunnell, an independent who voted for Trump in November, is glad that Trump, a Republican, is prioritizing his 'America First' policies. 'Americans need to worry about Americans,' Tunnell said. 'There's atrocities happening on American soil just as much as there is on foreign soil. You know, if we can't clean up our own house, why the hell are we trying to clean up somebody else's house?' At the same time, polling has shown that U.S. adults tend to overestimate the share of the federal budget that is spent on foreign aid. Surveys from KFF have found that, on average, Americans say spending on foreign aid makes up 31% of the federal budget rather than the actual answer: closer to 1% or less. Republicans and Democrats say spending is too low for Social Security On both sides of the political aisle, very few U.S. adults think the country is spending too much on Social Security and Medicare, according to the January AP-NORC poll. But there are bigger divides on spending for the military, border security, Medicaid and assistance to the poor. About one-third of U.S. adults say the federal government is spending 'too much' on the military. About one-third say the military is getting 'too little' funding, and another one-third say it takes in 'about the right amount.' But most Republicans say the military is underfunded, while slightly less than half of Democrats say it's getting too much money. Jeremy Shouse, a 38-year-old Democrat in Durham, North Carolina, said he believes government assistance programs for ordinary Americans should be as well-funded as the U.S. military is. 'I think it's really a slap in our faces as Americans,' he said, referring to the underfunding of programs like Medicaid, which he has needed to use. 'When it comes down to school, Medicaid, any type of government assistance programs, the money is just kind of not there,' he said. 'Not like it is for the military or the Army.' Strong majorities of Democrats say the U.S. government spends 'too little' on assistance to the poor, education, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They are divided on funding for border security — about 4 in 10 say the funding is about the right amount, while 3 in 10 say it's too high and about 3 in 10 say it's too little — and tend to say federal law enforcement agencies such as the CIA and the FBI are getting the right amount of funding. Republicans tend to want more money for border security, Social Security and the military. About 8 in 10 Republicans say too little money is allocated to border security, and about two-thirds say that about Social Security. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,147 adults was conducted Jan. 9-13, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
