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Aeon: We are not empty

The concept of the atomic void is one of the most repeated mistakes in popular science. Molecules are packed with stuff

The empty atom picture is likely the most repeated mistake in popular science. It is unclear who created this myth, but it is sure that Carl Sagan, in his classic TV series Cosmos (1980), was crucial in popularising it. After wondering how small the nuclei are compared with the atom, Sagan concluded that

[M]ost of the mass of an atom is in its nucleus; the electrons are by comparison just clouds of moving fluff. Atoms are mainly empty space. Matter is composed chiefly of nothing.

Reuters: Germany plans to double AI funding in race with China, U.S.

The AI push comes as Germany attempts to turn around its economy from a recession while the country's key autos and chemicals industries face stiff competition from upstart electric-vehicle makers and high energy costs.

Aufbau, Funktion und Aufgabe des CMS-Detektors am CERN

Der CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) ist einer der beiden Detektoren, die gemeinsam den Nachweis des Higgs-Bosons ermöglicht haben und ist eine dieser gigantischen Strukturen 100m unter der Erde am CERN and dem die vom LHC beschleunigten Teilchen untersucht werden.

Wie schon in den ersten beiden Raumzeit-Folgen der CERN-Serie ist der Gesprächspartner wieder ein Österreicher: Wolfgang Adam vom Institut für Hochenergiephysik.

Motion Mountain: This 9-line summary of textbook physics agrees with 400 years of experiments. Exactly.

Boingboing: How often should you wash your jeans and other clothes? Doctors give some shocking answers

In fact, when it comes to jeans, Dr. Anthony Rossi of the American Academy of Dermatology said, "I personally don't wash my jeans." In his opinion, compromising the fabric of a nice pair of jeans isn't necessary unless they are truly soiled or stinky — a good jean material will hold up better if you keep them away from the washing machine, and not washing them won't hurt you.

Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics: Wendelstein 7-X reaches milestone: Power plasma with gigajoule energy turnover generated for eight minutes

The Straits Times: Global Covid-19 cases up 80% as new sub-variant emerges

Ars Technica: Physicists achieve fusion with net energy gain for second time

Reuters: How concrete, asphalt and urban heat islands add to the misery of heat waves

Die ersten beiden Folgen aus der CERN-Serie sind fest in wiener Hand:

• RZ111 CERN: Geschichte und Erfolge: Gespräch mit Manfred Krammer, Leiter des Experimental Physics Department am CERN.
• RZ112 CERN: Die Beschleuniger-Kette: Gespräch mit Alexander Huschauer, zuständig für den Betrieb und Wartung des CERN Proton Synchrotron.

Ars Technica: Europe turns its new $1.5 billion space telescope on, and happily it works

The Verge: Why sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere can’t undo all the effects of climate change

The Guardian: Gulf stream could collapse as early as 2025, study suggests

The Guardian: Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian May to release 3D atlas of asteroid

CNBC: FDA says soda sweetener aspartame is safe, disagreeing with WHO finding on possible cancer link

“Aspartame is one of the most studied food additives in the human food supply. FDA scientists do not have safety concerns when aspartame is used under the approved conditions,” an agency spokesperson said late Thursday shortly after the WHO released its findings.

[...]

An adult who weighs 70 kilograms, or 154 pounds, would have to drink more than nine to 14 cans of aspartame-containing soda daily to exceed the limit and potentially face health risks.

Ars Technica: What countries will heat up the most in a 2°-warmer world?

The need for air conditioning will skyrocket, with Africa and Europe hit hardest.