Physicists think they’ve resolved the proton size puzzle. “We believe this is the final nail in the coffin of the proton radius puzzle.” Two new measurements confirm smaller radius; no hints of new physics, though. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/physicists-think-theyve-resolved-the-proton-size-puzzle/
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Jennifer Ouellette
@JenLucPiquant@universeodon.com
mastodon 4.6.8Science writer, Ars Technica. Formerly Gizmodo. Exvangelical. Married to @seanmcarroll@fediscience.org. Baltimore, MD. She/her
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Joined November 19, 2022
“Oobleck” (that water and cornstarch staple of DIY science experiments) still holds some surprises. Dense drops of oobleck with high shear rates spread out like a liquid before stiffening into a solid. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/oobleck-still-holds-some-surprises/
A century of hair samples proves leaded gas ban worked https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/a-century-of-hair-samples-proves-leaded-gas-ban-worked/
Ice Age dice show early Native Americans may have understood probability. Ice Age hunter-gatherer “were intentionally relying on random outcomes in repeatable, rule-based ways.” https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/ice-age-dice-show-early-native-americans-may-have-understood-probability/
What "Memento" reveals about human nature, 25 years later. Director Christopher Nolan’s breakout film explores themes of the nature of memory and personal identity. https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/04/memento-turns-25/
New 3D map of Universe could solve dark energy mystery. Latest data must still be analyzed but could help determine if dark energy is constant or varies over time. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/desi-completes-its-3d-map-of-universe-right-on-schedule/
The New York Times drops freelance journalist who used AI to write book review. Writer and author Alex Preston said he “made a serious mistake” after a reader spotted similarities between his review and one that appeared in the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/mar/31/the-new-york-times-drops-freelance-journalist-who-used-ai-to-write-book-review?CMP=share_btn_url
Scientists crack the case of “screeching” Scotch tape. Micro-cracks travel along the peeling tape at supersonic speeds, producing shock waves and sound pulses. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/heres-why-scotch-tape-screeches-when-its-peeled/
Re-creating the complex cuisine of prehistoric Europeans. SEM analysis of pottery residues showed people combined fish with a wide variety of plants when cooking. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/recreating-the-complex-cuisine-of-prehistoric-europeans/
Tuck and turn, or bend and twist? How falling cats land on their feet. Falling cats in the study also seemed to show a marked preference for turning to the right. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/tuck-and-turn-or-bend-and-twist-how-falling-cats-land-on-their-feet/
New teaser gives us first look at "Godzilla Minus Zero", sequel to 2023's excellent "Godzilla Minus One." Director Takashi Yamazaki told Cinemacon attendees that sequel is first Japanese film shot for IMAX. https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/04/new-teaser-gives-us-first-look-at-godzilla-minus-zero/
Hunting for elusive "ghost elephants": Werner Herzog directed this evocative NatGeo documentary about an intrepid ornithologist’s quest to find a new species of elephant. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/hunting-for-elusive-ghost-elephants/
How our digital devices are putting our right to privacy at risk. Law professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson chats with Ars about his new book, "Your Data Will Be Used Against You." https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/04/how-our-digital-devices-are-putting-our-right-to-privacy-at-risk/
The physics of squeaking sneakers. Geometry of tread patterns determines frequency, so these scientists designed rubber blocks to play the Star Wars theme. Science! https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/the-physics-of-squeaking-sneakers/
Watch Kanzi the bonobo pretend to have a tea party, just like a human toddler. “Kanzi is able to generate an idea of this pretend object and at the same time know it’s not real.” https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/watch-kanzi-the-bonobo-pretend-to-have-a-tea-party/
This black hole “burps” with a trillion times the Death Star's energy. Dubbed “Jetty McJetface,” the tidal disruption event’s energy keeps getting brighter and should peak in 2027. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/this-black-hole-burps-with-death-star-energy/
Research roundup: 7 cool science stories we almost missed. Sperm gets lost in space; raccoons solve puzzles; the physics of folding a crepe; and more. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/research-roundup-7-cool-science-stories-we-almost-missed-3/
It’s a race against time to save Krypto in Supergirl trailer. Have these villains not seen John Wick? https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/its-a-race-against-time-to-save-krypto-in-supergirl-trailer/
How moss helped convict grave robbers of a Chicago cemetery. Burr Oak Cemetery is the final resting place of Emmett Till and blues singer Willie Dixon, among others. Graves were desecrated and remains dumped in a 2009 scandal. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/how-moss-helped-convict-grave-robbers-of-a-chicago-cemetery/
Meet the Quantum Kid. Nine-year-old Kai Moskvitch’s podcast explores how quantum technologies can transform our daily lives. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/meet-the-quantum-kid/
"Good Omens" S3 trailer sets up a blessed conclusion. Aziraphale and Crowley—will those two crazy kids make up? https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/04/good-omens-s3-trailer-sets-up-a-blessed-conclusion/
Review: "Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" brings back that Westeros magic with immensely satisfying first season. Prequel series is just great storytelling, reminding GoT fans why they loved the original so much. https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/02/review-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-brings-back-that-westeros-magic/
The AI apocalypse is nigh in "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die":
Ars chats with Director Gore Verbinksi and screenwriter Matthew Robinson on the making of this darkly satirical sci-fi film. (It's great, BTW.) https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/02/the-ai-apocalypse-is-nigh-in-good-luck-have-fun-dont-die/
Research roundup: 6 cool January science stories that we almost missed. Highlights: A lip-syncing robot, Leonardo’s DNA, and new evidence that humans, not glaciers, moved stones to Stonehenge. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/research-roundup-6-cool-stories-we-almost-missed-2/
Here's the fun, action-packed full trailer for "Mandolorian and Grogu" https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/02/heres-the-fun-action-packed-trailer-for-mandolorian-and-grogu/
"Sunrise on the Reaping" teaser brings us a Second Quarter Quell: “You have no idea what’s in store for you. Twice the number of tributes, twice the glory.” https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/04/sunrise-on-the-reaping-teaser-brings-us-a-second-quarter-quell/
Ugandan chimps split into two factions, then killed rivals. Rare event suggests relational dynamics may play a role in collective violence, along with cultural markers. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/04/ugandan-chimps-split-into-two-factions-then-killed-rivals/
Museums incorporate “scent of the afterlife” (aromas of mummification balms) into Egyptian exhibits. “Smell added an emotional and sensory depth that text labels alone could never provide.” https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/museums-incorporate-scent-of-the-afterlife-into-egyptian-exhibits/
What ice fishing can teach us about making foraging decisions. It's mostly about social cues. Social density increases likelihood of sticking with a location. Environmental factors had little influence. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/what-ice-fishing-can-teach-us-about-making-foraging-decisions/
What’s the best cabin layout for aircraft evacuation? The key is to evenly distribute elderly passengers, who move more slowly, among the aircraft cabins. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/whats-the-best-cabin-layout-for-aircraft-evacuation/
X-rays reveal kingfisher feather structure in unprecedented detail. Synchrotron radiation imaging revealed a porous, almost sponge-like nanostructure to create bright hues for Chinese tian-tsui artifacts. https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/what-the-chinese-art-of-tian-tsui-has-to-do-with-kingfishers/
Paul Atreides faces the cost of his holy war in "Dune: Part 3" teaser https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/paul-atreides-faces-the-cost-of-his-holy-war-in-dune-part-3-teaser/
It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser. “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/02/its-outright-war-for-the-iron-throne-in-house-of-the-dragon-s3-teaser/