UN Scientific Advisory Board adopts landmark statement on Open Science

@science

https://council.science/news/un-scientific-advisory-board-adopts-landmark-statement-on-open-science/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=un-scientific-advisory-board-adopts-landmark-statement-on-open-science

Scientific fraud and the reform of science publishing

@science

https://council.science/blog/scientific-fraud-and-the-reform-of-science-publishing/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=scientific-fraud-and-the-reform-of-science-publishing

Navigating science careers: Strategic pathways for the future

@science

https://council.science/podcasts/navigating-science-careers/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=navigating-science-careers

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/37667789

PDF.

This study examines the influence of graphic icons in building and maintaining social connections in computer-mediated communication interactions. Through an online survey, participants (N = 395) were randomly assigned to reflect on conversations with either a close contact (strong tie) or an acquaintance (weak tie) and reported their use of graphic icons. We found that the use of graphic icons can be viewed as part of routine relational maintenance practices. More frequent use of memes, GIFs, and emojis was associated with greater self-disclosure breadth and depth, stronger intimacy, and better relationship maintenance. Social anxiety and tie strength moderated these relationships. The effects were stronger for less socially anxious individuals and in weak tie relationships, suggesting that graphic icons may serve different social functions depending on individual characteristics and relational contexts. These findings provide evidence that memes, GIFs, and emojis can serve as useful tools to improve social connection and relationship management in digital communication.

Consultancy: Analysis of reflective survey on experience in scientific organizations. Deadline: 24 September

@science

https://council.science/news/consultancy-analysis-of-reflective-survey/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=consultancy-analysis-of-reflective-survey

Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on Cerro Pachón in Chile at 2,682 meters elevation, represents a revolutionary leap in astronomical observation capabilities[^1]. Set to begin operations in 2025, it will conduct the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), creating an unprecedented time-lapse record of the southern sky[^2].

Core Capabilities

The observatory centers on the 8.4-meter Simonyi Survey Telescope, equipped with the world's largest digital camera - a 3.2-gigapixel device weighing 3,000 kilograms[^3]. This camera combines 189 individual charge-coupled devices (CCDs) that deliver data within seconds of capturing an image[^7].

The telescope's unique three-mirror design provides an exceptionally wide field of view - 3.5 degrees in diameter, equivalent to about 45 full moons[^1]. Two of these mirrors, the primary (M1) and tertiary (M3), are crafted from a single piece of glass to enhance stability and rapid positioning[^1].

Scientific Mission

The observatory has four primary scientific objectives[^4]:

1. Understanding dark matter and dark energy
2. Creating an inventory of Solar System objects
3. Mapping the Milky Way
4. Exploring transient phenomena like exploding stars and black holes

Over its planned 10-year survey, Rubin will catalog approximately:

• 20 billion galaxies
• 17 billion stars
• 6 million Solar System objects
• 100,000 near-Earth objects[^1]

Data Management

The observatory will generate about 20 terabytes of data nightly[^6]. Three types of data products will be produced[^1]:

• Prompt alerts within 60 seconds of observation
• Daily processed images and catalogs
• Annual reprocessed data of the entire dataset

"For the first time in history, the number of cataloged celestial objects will exceed the number of living people!" said Željko Ivezić, director of construction[^7].

Current Status

The observatory achieved first light in April 2025, with system first light images released on June 23, 2025[^1]. Initial images revealed over 2,000 previously unknown asteroids and captured unprecedented views of the Trifid and Lagoon nebulae[^1].

Public Access

Unlike many observatories, Rubin will make its data widely available. "That's a huge democratization of science," notes Ivezić[^7]. The data will be accessible to professional astronomers, students, and the general public through various platforms and tools[^3].

[^1]: Wikipedia - Vera C. Rubin Observatory [^2]: Rubin Observatory - About [^3]: NSF - NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory [^4]: NOIRLab - Vera C. Rubin Observatory [^6]: AURA Astronomy - Vera C. Rubin Observatory [^7]: Science News - The Vera Rubin Observatory is ready to revolutionize astronomy

Welcoming the Young Academy Finland to the ISC Membership

@science

https://council.science/news/welcoming-the-young-academy-finland/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=welcoming-the-young-academy-finland

ISC calls on Greece to uphold scientific integrity in Georgiou retrial

@science

https://council.science/statements/scientific-integrity-georgiou-retrial/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=scientific-integrity-georgiou-retrial

CERN's BASE collaboration achieved a breakthrough in antimatter research by maintaining an antiproton in a quantum superposition between spin states for nearly 50 seconds - marking the first-ever demonstration of an antimatter qubit[^1].

Using electromagnetic Penning traps, researchers controlled a single antiproton to oscillate smoothly between spin "up" and "down" states, like pushing a playground swing in perfect rhythm[^1]. This coherent quantum control allows for testing fundamental physics theories with unprecedented precision.

The achievement enables 10-100 times more accurate measurements of antiproton magnetic moments[^1], helping investigate why matter dominates over antimatter in the universe - a key mystery in physics. According to BASE spokesperson Stefan Ulmer, "This represents the first antimatter qubit and opens up the prospect of applying the entire set of coherent spectroscopy methods to single matter and antimatter systems in precision experiments"[^1].

A new system called BASE-STEP will transport trapped antiparticles to magnetically calmer environments. Lead author Barbara Latacz notes this could extend spin coherence times "maybe even ten times longer than in current experiments, which will be a game-changer for baryonic antimatter research"[^1].

[^1]: CERN - A quantum leap for antimatter measurements

Imaginary time is a mathematical concept used in physics that represents time multiplied by the imaginary unit i (the square root of -1)[^1]. While it may sound like science fiction, it's a legitimate scientific tool used in special relativity, quantum mechanics, and cosmology.

Stephen Hawking explained imaginary time using a spatial analogy: "One can think of ordinary, real, time as a horizontal line. On the left, one has the past, and on the right, the future. But there's another kind of time in the vertical direction. This is called imaginary time, because it is not the kind of time we normally experience"[^6].

Recent experimental work has given physical meaning to this abstract concept. In 2025, physicists Isabella Giovannelli and Steven Anlage demonstrated how imaginary time manifests in the real world by measuring frequency shifts in microwave pulses[^8]. Their groundbreaking experiment showed that imaginary time delays correspond to measurable changes in wave frequencies, proving that these mathematical constructs have observable physical effects[^10].

Key applications of imaginary time include:

1. Quantum Mechanics

• Used to calculate quantum states and predict system behavior
• Helps solve complex quantum mechanical equations
• Essential for understanding particle behavior at microscopic scales

2. Cosmology

• Helps remove singularities in models of the universe
• Used in Hawking's "no boundary proposal" for the origin of the universe
• Allows scientists to model the Big Bang without mathematical breakdowns[^1]

3. Special Relativity

• Appears in calculations involving spacetime intervals
• Helps describe the relationship between space and time
• Used in the Minkowski spacetime model[^1]

Hawking noted that imaginary time is not merely a mathematical trick: "Imaginary time may sound like science fiction... But nevertheless, it is a genuine scientific concept. In fact, imaginary time is really the real time, and what we call real time is just a figment of our imaginations"[^6].

The mathematical representation of imaginary time (τ) is obtained from real time (t) through what's called a Wick rotation: τ = it, where i is the imaginary unit[^1]. This transformation helps physicists solve complex problems that would be difficult or impossible to address using only real time.

[^1]: Wikipedia - Imaginary time

[^6]: Stephen Hawking Estate - The Beginning of Time

[^8]: Science Alert - Physicists Catch Light in 'Imaginary Time' in Scientific First

[^10]: Physics APS - Imaginary Time Delays Are For Real

Launch of the new ISC podcast series: Rethinking scientific careers in a changing world

@science

https://council.science/podcasts/podcast-rethinking-research-careers-in-a-changing-world/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=podcast-rethinking-research-careers-in-a-changing-world