Latest news with #physics
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Your Smartwatch Could Carry a Hidden Health Risk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Smartwatch bands have been found to contain high levels of a potentially harmful chemical that researchers believe can be absorbed through the skin, raising the question of whether the popular accessory could pose a hidden public health risk. A University of Notre Dame study published the American Chemical Society at the end of 2024, found the wearable tech contained significant amounts of "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—specifically perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). The author of the study, Graham Peaslee, a professor of physics at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, told Newsweek that "we found that it was almost entirely PFHxA leaching out of the wristbands." "I believe the plastics industry has been using this particular PFAS in consumer products, which helps explain why it is so prevalent in the samples from this study," he added. Peaslee also indicated that a significant proportion of these chemicals in wristbands could pass through human skin under normal conditions. While traditional watch bands are made from a wide range of materials, from stainless steel to leather, smartwatch bands are typically made from more synthetic materials. Smartwatch bands have been found to contain high levels of a potentially harmful chemical, raising the question of whether the popular accessory could pose a hidden public health risk. Smartwatch bands have been found to contain high levels of a potentially harmful chemical, raising the question of whether the popular accessory could pose a hidden public health risk. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva What Is PFHxA? PFHxA, one of the thousands of compounds belonging to the PFAS family, is used widely in consumer products as well as for paper food packaging and carpets, but can be harmful to humans. It has been found to have an impact on thyroid and liver function and, given it is part of the PFAS family, is by default associated with certain cancers as PFAS chemicals are classed a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There is, as yet, limited research directly connecting PFHxA to cancers. Despite it's possible health impacts, it is not one of the PFAS molecules currently regulated by the EPA. "Like most PFAS, the potential public health effects are still under investigation, but PFHxA is likely among the PFAS species that can accumulate in biological and environmental systems, including the human body," Christy Haynes, a professor of chemistry at the University of Minnesota, told Newsweek. Compared with other PFAS chemicals, it is thought to have a smaller impact on the human body, because it is a shorter-chain chemical that was initially planned to be used as a replacement for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Jennifer Freeman, a professor of toxicology at Purdue University, Indiana, told Newsweek. "Shorter chain PFAS usually have less concern for bioaccumulation in the body compared to their longer chain counterparts," she said. Research is still ongoing, however, and studies have indicated PFHxA may cause similar adverse health effects to other PFAS chemicals, Freeman added. PFHxA "has been largely unstudied because it only shows up in whole blood samples for humans" unlike other PFAS chemicals, which "show up in blood sera samples," Peaslee told Newsweek. This is because it "is much harder to measure whole blood," he said. But, as a result of its "hazardous properties," the European Commission is looking to restrict the use of the chemical because of the risk to health it poses, requiring certain industries to scale back their use of PFHxA over the next five years. In the U.S. only Michigan has a maximum contaminant level for PFHxA, specific to drinking water contamination, while several other states "have advisory or notification levels, or cleanup levels in groundwater, soil or fish tissue," Phil Brown, the director of the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute at Northeastern University, told Newsweek. "We should be concerned because this is a common replacement for PFOA which has many documented health effects," Brown said. "The general scientific consensus is that PFAS chemicals share many types of biological activity and many similar health effects." What Smartwatch Producers Have Said Smartwatches are a widely worn accessory in the U.S.—with around one in five Americans wearing either a smartwatch or wearable fitness tracker, according to a Pew Research survey from 2020. Some of the major producers of smartwatches include Apple, Samsung and Google. In light of the University of Notre Dame study published last year, a Google spokesperson told Newsweek: "Pixel Watch bands meet industry standards with regard to PFAS." The spokesperson added that Google "proactively restricts" the chemicals in its products and is "committed to minimizing PFAS beyond what is required by law." Google imposes limits on a long list of different chemicals, PFHxA being one of them. "We are proactively developing long-term alternatives to eliminate PFAS where possible," the spokesperson added. Apple and Samsung have previously faced lawsuits concerned with this issue. A lawsuit was raised in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California in January against Apple, with the claimant stating Apple "misleadingly and materially omits, on all relevant marketing and advertising, that the products contain toxic PFAS." "Instead, [Apple] falsely and misleadingly markets and advertises its products" as "the ultimate device for a healthy life," the lawsuit added. At the end of 2024, a lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California against Samsung, with claimants, represented by the same law firm, making similar accusations—that Samsung had "misleadingly" not disclosed that its products contained PFAS, despite its advertising its product would help consumers "start your wellness journey." Both lawsuits point to the study released by the University of Notre Dame as proof the products "are toxic to consumers due to the presence of PFAS," adding that the "public was reasonably outraged, as widely reported in the press, when it was revealed that Defendant's products instead contain toxic PFAS chemicals that harm humans and the environment, and at excessive levels." A Samsung spokesperson told Newsweek: "Customer safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. We remain committed to using safe and sustainable materials, while maintaining high-quality products." Meanwhile, all materials used in Apple products, including materials with prolonged skin contact, must comply with the Apple Regulated Substances Specification—an additional specification created by the tech company that restricts certain hazardous substances in wearable devices, where consumer exposure is higher. The company adheres to this specification when "regulatory limits are in general not available or may not be sufficiently protective for prolonged skin contact." "Apple Watch bands are safe for users to wear," an Apple spokesperson told Newsweek. "In addition to our own testing, we also work with independent laboratories to conduct rigorous testing and analysis of the materials used in our products, including Apple Watch bands," they said. Newsweek also contacted Huawei, another global producer of smartwatches, via email for comment. A file photo shows various models of the Apple Watch Series 10 on display at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. A file photo shows various models of the Apple Watch Series 10 on display at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP Are Experts Concerned? Although there are concerns over whether PFHxA can be absorbed through the skin there is currently limited research to determine whether this is the case, and, if so, how much of the chemical can be absorbed via this route. "The skin provides a great barrier for chemical absorption but is also recognized as one of the major routes of absorption," Freeman said. "Some chemicals, depending on their chemical properties, can permeate the skin with the potential to enter the bloodstream and be distributed throughout the body." "There are a small number of studies suggesting uptake of PFAS through skin is possible and the concentrations of PFHxA reported in the study are quite high," Christina Remucal, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Newsweek. "It's also important to take into account that when people wear a watch, it's for most of their waking hours, so that is a lot of exposure," Brown said, advising consumers to opt for silicone-based bands instead. However, Remucal added that "there is still a lot we don't know about uptake through skin compared to other pathways like drinking contaminated water." Additionally, the way these samples were extracted "may not translate directly into human exposure," she said. "More work needs to be done to better understand how PFAS in watch bands ultimately end up in our bodies," she said. "This study suggests looking at this potential pathway is important." While data is "insufficient to conclude if wearing a smartwatch band containing PFHxA will be a significant concern as a PFHxA exposure source," Freeman recommended consumers err on the side of caution, and consider using a PFAS-free or silicone band in the meantime. While caution and alternatives are advised, Haynes also told Newsweek there was no need for consumers to panic about the study. "I am not worried about PFHxA exposure from the wristband of a smartwatch," she said. She said that the chemical was likely incorporated "within a polymerized matrix and, thus, quite unlikely to leach from the band unless it is severely degraded by harsh conditions." While there is some evidence that liberated PFHxA can be absorbed through skin, she said, "ingestion and inhalation of PFHxA are more significant routes for exposure and accumulation." "If I had this smartwatch and the wristband was damaged, I would replace it, but I wouldn't think about it much beyond that," Haynes said. That said, "In a world where I think we should only use PFAS in critical applications where there aren't other options, such as medical devices, I think companies should be working on an alternate formulation for the wristband," she added. Reference Alyssa Wicks, Heather D. Whitehead, Graham F. Peaslee (2024) Presence of Perfluorohexanoic Acid in Fluoroelastomer Watch Bands, American Chemical Society Environmental Science & Technology Letters Vol 12/Issue 1.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Parkinson's cycling: How it gave me my independence back
Tony Deeney was diagnosed with Parkinson's at just 38 and the degenerative condition gradually left feeling isolated and with little enthusiasm for after two decades struggling with the condition, he says cycling has helped him rediscover a sense of says he first knew something was wrong when he struggled to strum a tune on his was a keen guitarist but suddenly his fingers would not move to find the different after, the father of two young children was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many can cause tremors, balance problems and slow was told he might only have between five and eight "good" years left before his symptoms would the end, with advancements in medication and support from his colleagues, it was 11 years before Tony had to retire from his job as a physics teacher. It was when he retired that he noticed a drop in his enjoyment for life."It's the dark side of Parkinson's," Teresa says. "There is a loss that is almost depressive."Tony, who can now only manage a few words, calls it "apathy".He would often stay in the house watching television and sometimes couldn't be bothered to couple say Parkinson's can be isolating because of the way symptoms present was almost 10 years after his retirement that Tony discovered the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson's."It became a real game-changer for him," Teresa started playing table tennis as well as "walking football", aimed at Parkinson's was when he tried chair yoga that a friend encouraged him to attend a cycling club. 'Transformative is an understatement' Tony was apprehensive and almost refused to go but Teresa convinced him to try it."To say it was transformative is an understatement," she says she was close to tears when Tony's face lit up during his first class."From day one, the joy and freedom he has experienced has been life-changing for him - he can cycle on his own," she says."This cycling club has given Tony his independence back."Tony agrees that the club has given him a "sense of independence" but he says he still has to rely on his says Tony's confidence has improved because it is something he is able to do on his own. He's now even got his own scooter. "It's opened up the outside world for him again," Teresa says."We went for a walk and he was in [the scooter]. I can't remember the last time we did that.""It's such an ordinary thing that people take for granted and don't even notice, but for us, that's major." Community and support The Parkinson's Cycling sessions are run twice a month by the Phoenix Community Centre in Easterhouse, on the outskirts of use specially designed tricycles for people with a disability made by the Dutch company Van of their features include power assisted cycling, a moving chair for accessibility and dual control so that someone can cycle with a Phoenix Centre also has a pop up café at the side of the sports hall to encourage connection and Caroline Cumming says: "Even if you only wanted to have a short cycle. You can sit down have a chat, have a cup of tea or a coffee.""You don't even have to cycle."Teresa and Tony said maintaining a connection was very important for people with Parkinson' say groups for people with the disease help to ease their worry because they don't have to explain why they struggle to speak or says that everyone supports each other and create a positive space. Exercise as medicine Parkinson's symptoms arise after substantial loss of the dopamine-producing cells in an area of the brain known as the substantia Mckay, from Parkinson's UK, said that there are over 40 different types of symptoms and "no two people are the same."As people live longer with the condition, symptoms can become more aggressive and debilitating – which can impact mobility and stability McKay says: "I think the key is to encourage people with Parkinson's to be active, that's a prescription in itself."She says it is important for people to find something they enjoy doing because then they are likely to do it more lecturer David Hegarty says exercise has similar benefits to medicine for Parkinson's patients without the side build stronger muscles and better cardiovascular fitness, which in turn reduces symptoms, he Teresa Deeney agrees."The independence, joy and fitness it gives my husband is a tonic to his health and mental wellbeing," she says.
Sustainability Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Quantum Reality Is Crumbling': Scientists Confirm Gravity and Space-Time Dramatically Alter the Quantum World in Astonishing New Findings
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Scientists are exploring the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity using advanced quantum networks. are exploring the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity using advanced quantum networks. 🌌 Quantum networks could lead to a globally connected quantum internet, utilizing qubits and entanglement for secure communication. and for secure communication. 🔍 Research aims to determine if gravity can alter quantum mechanics, potentially contributing to a unified theory of quantum gravity. can alter quantum mechanics, potentially contributing to a unified theory of quantum gravity. 🚀 These efforts could revolutionize our understanding of the universe and redefine fundamental physics. In a groundbreaking exploration of physics, scientists are delving into the complex relationship between quantum mechanics and gravity. Their efforts could pave the way for a deeper understanding of the universe's fundamental laws. Utilizing advanced quantum networks, these researchers aim to uncover how the interaction between curved space-time and quantum theory might lead us closer to a unified theory of quantum gravity. As they push the boundaries of modern science, the potential implications for technology and our comprehension of the cosmos are profound. This endeavor could revolutionize both scientific theory and practical applications in ways we have yet to imagine. The Interplay Between Quantum Theory and Gravity The relationship between quantum theory and gravity has long intrigued scientists. Quantum networking is rapidly becoming a pivotal tool in this exploration, with the potential to revolutionize global communications. Unlike traditional methods that rely on electrons and photons, quantum networks utilize qubits and entanglement to transfer information. This transformative approach could lead to a globally connected quantum internet, offering unprecedented levels of security and reach. In a recent publication in PRX Quantum, researchers Igor Pikovski, Jacob Covey, and Johannes Borregaard highlighted the potential of quantum networks to test the interplay between quantum theory and gravity. Their work introduces a new protocol leveraging entangled W-states, showcasing how quantum effects can be observed across network nodes. By utilizing advanced techniques like quantum teleportation and entangled Bell pairs, these scientists are testing how quantum theory operates within the framework of curved space-time. 'They're Turning Pollution Into Candy!': Chinese Scientists Stun the World by Making Food from Captured Carbon Emissions Could Gravity Alter the Effects of Quantum Mechanics? The apparent disparity between Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and quantum mechanics presents one of physics' most intriguing challenges. Quantum mechanics focuses on the behavior of matter at atomic and subatomic levels, while classical physics deals with larger objects. This dichotomy raises the question: could gravity influence quantum mechanics in ways we have yet to understand? Current experiments aim to determine if differences in space-time might alter atomic and subatomic behaviors. Igor Pikovski emphasizes that while quantum theory is assumed to be universally applicable, gravity could potentially modify its effects. The research being conducted with quantum networks suggests that these networks could extend beyond future technological applications to become critical tools for exploring fundamental physics in ways previously unattainable with classical computing. 'They Tried to Kick It Down—It Didn't Budge!': China's Two-Legged Robot Dog Defies Terrain, Attacks, and Gravity Quantum Networks: The Path to a Unified Theory Quantum networks are not only technological marvels but also powerful tools for scientific exploration. By facilitating the study of quantum effects within curved space-time, they may help bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and general relativity. This could lead to the long-sought unified theory of quantum gravity, offering insights into the fundamental nature of the universe. The researchers' innovative use of entangled states and advanced quantum techniques underscores the significant potential of quantum networks. These networks allow for the observation and analysis of phenomena that classical methods cannot address, positioning them as a cornerstone in the quest for a unified theory. As these networks evolve, they promise to transform both scientific understanding and practical applications, opening new frontiers in physics and technology. 'They're Making Space Drugs Now': Varda Space Unleashes Orbital Lab to Manufacture Medicines Earth's Gravity Could Never Allow The Future of Quantum Exploration The ongoing research into the relationship between quantum mechanics and gravity is a testament to human curiosity and ingenuity. By harnessing the power of quantum networks, scientists are opening new avenues for exploration and discovery. As they continue to probe the complexities of space-time and quantum theory, the possibilities for technological advancement and scientific insight are limitless. As we stand on the brink of a new era in physics, the potential for quantum networks to reshape our understanding of the universe is both exciting and profound. Will these efforts ultimately lead to a unified theory that reconciles the principles of quantum mechanics with gravity? The journey is just beginning, and the answers may redefine our perception of reality itself. This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.3/5 (29)
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Why You Can't Beat Light Weight
We've gotten really good at cheating physics. Even though cars are getting much heavier, the technology to hide their weight is getting much better. Adaptive and active suspensions, torque vectoring, electronic differentials, traction and stability controls, and ever-better brakes and tires all make cars seem so much lighter than they are. A new BMW M3 weighs around 4,000 pounds, but you wouldn't believe it by the way it flits into a corner on track. But, in my experience, you can't actually beat physics. We call them Newton's laws for a reason, and driving a truly lightweight car brings that into sharp focus. Welcome to The Rabbit Hole , a bi-weekly column where Senior Editor Chris Perkins explores his latest obsession with automotive technology. He speaks to the best in the business to understand how cars work and what the future of the automobile looks like. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 This car is truly lightweight. It's a 1966 Porsche 912 restored by the Hungarian company Kamm Manufaktur . Its founder, Miklós Kázmér, bought a 912 to do what many do with these cars—rip out the standard flat-four and put a hot-rod 911 engine in it. But the lower weight and better-balanced weight distribution of the four-cylinder 912 charmed him, and he wondered how far he could take one. The answer is 'very.' Kamm claims an astonishing 1,654 pounds for this 912C. That's around 700 pounds lighter than a new Miata, and this car is in something of a 'touring' specification, complete with electric air conditioning that works astonishingly well. The 'C' in 912C stands for carbon fiber, and most of this car's body is made from the stuff, all but the roof and rear fenders. Kamm will build you a full-carbon car, which knocks off an additional 100 pounds. 'I knew that from a 2.0-liter engine I won't be able to get humongous power without turbocharging,' Kázmér explains. 'So I had to reduce the weight.' Kázmér's not the first to face this problem. Every race-car constructor, when up against an effective power limit, has to look elsewhere for speed. Colin Chapman's obsession with weight savings came from not having access to the most powerful engines in the early days of Team Lotus. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Two liters is about as big as you can go with a Porsche Type 616 flat-four before you end up with something that simply doesn't want to rev. Don't forget, this is a pushrod engine. Kamm's gone all out with this flat-four, with a claimed output of 190 horsepower at 6,800 revs, well over double that of the 90-hp original. It's got throttle bodies and a modern engine management system with two drive modes, normal, and "Drive Me Crazy," which sharpens the throttle map and opens up exhaust valves. It's a very powerful engine considering its roots, but it's also playing in a world where 911 restomods have well over 400 hp. To get the most out of the whole package, you need to cut weight. On an early summer day outside New York City, the thing that's immediately apparent with the 912C is the ride quality. That's, of course, by intention—Kázmér wanted something of a touring car, and the 912C features fancy electronically adjustable TracTive dampers—but it's also a natural byproduct of low weight. Engineers often talk about the virtuous cycle of reducing weight. Less weight means less work for the suspension, so you can use less spring, damper, and anti-roll bar. It also means you need less tire, which itself cuts weight and improves ride quality, and the same with brakes. The benefit of reducing weight compounds on itself. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 I took the 912 on roads I know well. These suburban country roads can get choked up with a bit of traffic, but they're not too far from New York City, and many have a fairly generous 55-mph speed limit. They're roads I've driven in my own car—a 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI—friend's cars, and many loaners from automakers. No car with any sporting pretensions has made the bumps and imperfections here seem so insignificant. You get up to sections of road where you instinctively wince, knowing what it's going to feel like when you roll over. But there's no need in the 912C. Even with the adjustable dampers in their stiffer settings, it just sort of floats over them. This, I think, is where you really feel the difference. That M3 I mentioned at the start might often seem to defy its weight, and it's got nice damping, but it's stiff. You feel how much work the suspension is doing to keep the mass in control. Hell, even my GTI is not a heavy car, but it can't do what the 912C does. Fully active suspension systems like those from Ferrari and Porsche get a lot closer to what a truly lightweight car can do, but there are often moments when you feel the weight. Modern suspension, brakes, and tires do an extremely good job of controlling weight, but it's impossible to fully conceal. The first time I drove a Ferrari Purosangue, I was blown away by its incredible body control, and most of the time, I forgot I was in an SUV. But, under braking, you suddenly have the sense that you're in something very heavy, and that the car is doing a ton of work to control it. I had a similar sensation track testing a Taycan Turbo GT, but this might've been exaggerated from the unrelenting speed of that particular car. That moment never comes in a car like this. And it's not like the 912C is a slow thing either—the power-to-weight ratio is about the same as that of a Porsche 718 Cayman S. You wouldn't have trouble keeping up with a new Cayman, too, with the 195-section 200-treadwear Yokohama tires providing excellent grip, and oversized brakes bringing the 912C to a quick halt. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 Kamm's car shows off its lightweight bona fides proudly. The hood and front fenders have a beautiful transition between exposed glossy carbon fiber and paint that's so smooth you can't feel it by hand. The engine lid is held down by two motorsport-style catches, and its hinges are a beautiful drilled aluminum. There's no strut or anything to hold it up, either. Inside, there's gorgeous carbon-fiber trim for the bespoke door cards, dash, and seatbacks, but it's not spartan in here. There's also green leather in this particular car, and niceties like a hidden Bluetooth audio system, a wireless phone charger, and the previously mentioned A/C system. Of course, you'll have to pay very handsomely for this lightweight, €350,000 ($410,000) plus the cost of a donor car. Way too much money, unless you've got a very specific itch to scratch. Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 But it is a thing to experience, and a good reminder of what weight savings can do for a car. It used to be easier to get a lightweight car. The original Mini weighed barely over 1,300 pounds, and that was considered a small family car. Now, a lightweight is a specialist sort of thing. You need a Miata, or if you're lucky enough to live where they're sold, an Alpine A110. Both are around 2,400 pounds, which, while low by today's standards, isn't anything like old-school lightweight, but both do have that wonderful fluidity of a true lightweight. All of these cars, from the $30,000 Miata to the $400,000-plus 912C, reveal an important truth—you can't outrun the law. Newton's laws, at least. More From the Rabbit Hole Subaru Made the World's Only Twin-Turbo Flat-Four. It Was Madness Why Carbon-Ceramic Brakes Are Expensive. And Why They Might Be Worth It Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
ABC News
5 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Large Hadron Collider glimpses clue in search for universe's missing antimatter
Scientists have uncovered another clue in the effort to solve one of the great puzzles of modern physics: why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe. The discovery relied on observations made with the world's largest machine, the Large Hadron Collider, which helps researchers to probe the fundamental nature of matter. Everything we see around us is made up of subatomic matter particles such as protons and neutrons, which belong to a category of particles called baryons. An experiment using the giant particle accelerator, based at CERN in Switzerland, has for the first time seen baryons form more matter than antimatter. The findings could change our understanding of how small particles interact and help explain the absence of antimatter, said Tom Hadavizadeh, a physicist at Monash University and collaborator on the project. "We haven't found the new physics yet, but it's given us a new way to look for it," Dr Hadavizadeh said. The researchers have published their findings in Nature. The current leading theory in particle physics — the Standard Model — predicts that for every particle of matter that forms, a corresponding particle of antimatter forms. Antimatter particles are identical to matter particles, but with their electrical charges reversed. Scientists have observed similar amounts of matter and antimatter being generated when they create subatomic particles by colliding larger particles at high speed around large underground loops in the Large Hadron Collider. But antimatter doesn't tend to stick around — if it collides with regular matter, both particles annihilate each other, releasing energy. If antimatter and matter were truly created in equal amounts, as per the Standard Model, the universe wouldn't exist. The problem for this theory is that the universe does exist, and it's mostly made of matter, with only tiny amounts of antimatter. This "matter-antimatter asymmetry" is a major unresolved problem in physics. "The way that we explain that is that at some point in the early universe, matter should have become slightly favoured over antimatter," Dr Hadavizadeh said. "There's this little excess that remains once most of the antimatter and matter annihilates away, and that little excess is what we see left over today." So where did this asymmetry between matter and antimatter come from? Ray Volkas, a physicist at the University of Melbourne who wasn't involved in the research, said that the Standard Model does have a way of explaining some of the matter-antimatter asymmetry. "It's been known since the early 1960s experimentally that there actually is a subtle difference in the way that matter and antimatter interact [with other particles]," Professor Volkas said. This subtle difference is called the charge-parity violation, or CP violation, and can help explain why there is less antimatter than matter. While researchers had observed this asymmetry in some smaller particles, they had not yet observed it in baryons — a type of subatomic particle made from three quarks. "Almost all of the matter that we come across is baryons," Dr Hadavizadeh said. The team of more than 1,500 scientists from 20 countries, called the 'Large Hadron Collider beauty' (LHCb) collaboration, used the giant particle accelerator to look for examples of asymmetry in baryons. They analysed libraries of data from the first few years of the experiment, looking specifically at curiously named "beauty" baryons. They were able to spot baryons decaying in an asymmetric way — generating more matter than antimatter. Professor Volkas says it is an "interesting result" but neither he, nor the LHCb researchers, think they've come close to solving the whole matter-antimatter mystery yet. "The amount of CP violation in the Standard Model is actually not sufficient to explain cosmological matter-antimatter asymmetry," Professor Volkas said. "It's one of the great mysteries of science." Matter-antimatter asymmetry is just one problem with the Standard Model. While it's beaten all the tests particle physicists have set for it over the decades, the theory has huge gaps in it. It also can't explain gravity or dark energy, a mysterious phenomenon thought to be behind the acceleration of universe expansion. "We don't want our theories to be totally wrong — in fact, they can't be because they work too well — but we want them to be incomplete so that we can add things," Professor Volkas said. He says the LHCb experiment, and similar ones, are getting increasingly thorough at scrutinising the matter-antimatter mystery. "What they're trying to do is examine this CP violation effect with ever greater precision to try to find if the standard theory continues to be verified, or if it will fail and we'll need to extend or modify the theory." While this new result is consistent with the Standard Model, the researchers suggest it might point towards places where they can move beyond the theory. Now that the researchers have measured the asymmetry in baryons, they'll be able to investigate this phenomenon more closely. The study potentially "unlocks a whole new set of particles" to observe new types of physics, Dr Hadavizadeh said.
