Quantum time reversal achieved, synthetic cells divide, interstellar comet chemistry stuns

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed quantum control protocols that can make a quantum system appear to run backward in time, harvesting energy from the measurement process. In parallel, a University of Minnesota team created 'SpudCells' that can feed, grow, and divide for several generations, marking a major step toward synthetic life. Meanwhile, JWST and ALMA analysis of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reveals it formed 12 billion years ago with unprecedented chemistry, and a new AI-driven method has discovered two room-temperature superconductor candidates.

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Quantum control technique makes time flow backward in stunning physics breakthrough Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed quantum control protocols that can suppress or reverse the apparent arrow of time in quantum systems. The technique also enables a measurement engine that harvests energy from the act of quantum measurement, with potential applications in quantum computing and quantum batteries. 1

Artificial cells that feed, grow, and reproduce bring synthetic life closer A team led by synthetic biologist Kate Adamala at the University of Minnesota has created 'SpudCells'—artificial cells enclosed in membranes that can import materials, grow, and spontaneously divide for several generations. The work, posted as a preprint, represents a major step toward building life from scratch, though the cells still require human intervention and eventually stop dividing. 2 3 4

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is 12 billion years old with chemistry unlike anything seen Using JWST and ALMA observations, astronomers found that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS has isotopic ratios indicating it formed in an extremely cold, primordial environment about 12 billion years ago. Its chemistry is distinct from both Solar System comets and the previous interstellar objects, offering a unique window into the early history of the galaxy. 5

Webb's 'little red dots' puzzle astronomers with new theories including black hole stars Hundreds of mysterious red blobs seen by JWST in the early universe—dubbed 'little red dots'—do not fit standard models of galaxy formation. New theories suggest they could be black holes cocooned in thick gas, or even a new class of object called 'black hole stars,' potentially rewriting cosmic history. 6 7

AI and quantum physics team up to discover two new superconducting materials The SuperC consortium combined machine learning with quantum physics to rapidly screen countless material combinations, leading to the discovery of YRu3B2 and LuRu3B2 as new superconductors. The method could accelerate the search for a room-temperature superconductor, which would revolutionize energy use. 8