Science in Small Bites
A Higgs boson particle walks into a Catholic church where the priest is preparing for Mass. The priest tells the subatomic particle that “his kind” are not welcome there. The Higgs boson replies, “Well, Father, there is no mass without me.”
If you even chuckled slightly at this science-nerd humor, then you may be very interested in some recent findings in quantum physics.
Note: The Higgs boson particle was discovered by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012. The following topic is about the first theorized particle found since then.
Segment One: Scientists may have interacted with dark matter for the first time
We are still searching for the glue that holds our universe together, and physicists have recently taken a potentially large step in that direction.
Contrary to what Einstein initially thought, our universe is expanding. Early in the last century, scientists believed that the universe was static, unmoving for all of eternity. However, those early beliefs dissolved when, in 1929, Hubble proved that galaxies were moving away from us. Then, in 1998, scientists discovered that the universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate because of dark energy, a substance we know little to nothing about.
We know little to nothing about dark energy and dark matter, even though the two combined make up 95% of our universe, and we have yet to interact with either. That is, until the scientists at Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, recently reported what may be the first interaction between a Xenon nucleus and a dark matter particle.
If this turns out to be the real deal in physics, it may be the most profound discovery about our universe to date; as well, it may be the first step in solving the mystery of a substance that constitutes the greater part of our universe.
Here’s how the scientists discovered what may be the first interaction with dark matter. The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) particle detector is situated a mile deep in the abandoned Homestead Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota. The structure consists of a core of liquid xenon, surrounded by a layer of water, and encased in thick shielding that blocks background radiation.
Scientists use xenon because its large atoms provide a bigger target for interaction with Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPS), thought to be dark matter particles.
The results of a possible interaction between a xenon atom and a WIMP occurred on June 16, 2023. After several years of studying the incident for accuracy, the scientists at the LZ detector released their findings to the public.
This is big news for a couple of reasons. First, if they detected a dark matter particle, it would support the long-standing mathematical theory that dark matter makes up 85% of the universe.
Second, dark matter also holds galaxies together, while the ever-expanding universe threatens to tear them apart. Not to be a Gloomy Gus, but there are two theories as to the ultimate fate of our universe: The Big Freeze promises a dark, cold universe for eternity, while the Big Rip will tear everything in the universe apart, including black holes right down to individual atoms, leaving the universe a vast vacant nothingness.
So, yeah, it’s a big deal, but we will not be around to see something that will (probably) not happen for trillions of years. Still, human curiosity drives us to learn about an event far in the future.
Segment Two: To nap or not to nap – that is the question
Mr. Van Winkle went off into the forest to take a nap and awakened twenty years later, having completely missed the Revolutionary War. On one hand, Winkle’s nap was a blessing; on the other, napping through REM sleep (rapid eye movement) isn’t ideal for getting adequate sleep the next evening.
“Naps are good for you,” says one source, while another source says the opposite, so what are we to believe? Well, we are going to skip right over social media, Dr. Google, and con artists and visit the Mayo Clinic to find answers based on science.
In an article written by the Mayo Clinic staff, titled “Napping: Dos and Don’ts for Healthy Adults,” in 2024, it states, “If you’re sleep-deprived or just looking for a way to relax, you might be thinking about taking a nap. Napping at the wrong time of day or napping for too long can backfire, though. Understand how to get the most out of a nap.
The article also says that napping, if done correctly, offers a wide range of benefits. These include more alertness, less tiredness, better mood, improved physical and mental health, and better memory.
I have learned from many conversations with friends that naps are not for everyone. Some find it hard to nap during the day; others complain of feeling like s&%t after a nap. In truth, this sleep inertia usually goes away in about half an hour.
The Mayo Clinic article addresses the problems caused by the length of a nap, saying, “Trouble sleeping at night. For most people, short naps don’t tend to affect sleep quality over-night. But if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, napping might make these problems worse. Long or frequent naps might interfere with nighttime sleep.”
As a bonafide napoholic, I have had some experience with not being able to get sufficient sleep after taking a long nap during the day. I currently take a 25-minute nap using the alarm feature on my cell phone and never have a problem falling asleep at night and staying asleep if I stick to the 25-minute regimen. This brain hack makes me feel like I get two days out of one because I maintain my energy throughout the day.
In addition to taking a short nap, I take it in bed lying on my back, an entirely different position from lying on my side at night. This decreases any nocturnal sleeping problems. “Some research also links naps longer than an hour a day with higher risks of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease,” states the Mayo Clinic article.
As we age, we often become fatigued sooner than we did in years past. A good nap can often be key to restoring your energy throughout the day.
Segment Three: A coat of many colors; you’ll be lichen this
I couldn’t resist another opportunity to invoke the name of one of my favorite people – Dolly Parton. As it happens, researchers recently found a new species of lichen here in the Appalachians. Dolly’s song “Coat of Many Colors” inspired the name of a many-colored lichen, Japewiella dollypartonia.
You may know the background to this song was based on fact: Dolly’s family was poor, and store-bought clothing was out of the question. Her mother lovingly sewed Dolly a coat from rags of many colors. Although she was made fun of at school, Dolly shrugged off the bullying, knowing that the coat represented the love that her family valued above all else.
In a time when love, respect and dignity are on the wane, there is a truth that can never be eradicated in people of good heart.
Finally, Last week’s science quiz was a photo of what appears to be a commonplace mushroom. However, nothing about this particular mushroom is common: An Amanita virosa is extremely dangerous and is responsible for the vast majority of mushroom-related fatalities in the United States.
Ken Springer
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