Margaret Harris
@drmlharris.bsky.social
Science journalist at Physics World magazine (@physicsworld.bsky.social). Also available as @[email protected]. All views on science, politics, history, nonsense, etc. my own. DM for Signal contact info.
🎶Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landsliiide
Of a champagne superkilonover
A champagne superkilonover in the sky-y
Caught beneath the landsliiide
Of a champagne superkilonover
A champagne superkilonover in the sky-y
An unusual signal initially picked up by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and subsequently by optical telescopes around the world may have been a “superkilonova” – that is, a kilonova that took place inside a supernova. 🧪⚛️🔭 physicsworld.com/a/unusual-as...
Unusual astronomical event might be a 'superkilonova' – Physics World
Merger of two neutron stars in the aftermath of a supernova may have been observed for the first time, though questions remain
physicsworld.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM
🎶Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landsliiide
Of a champagne superkilonover
A champagne superkilonover in the sky-y
Caught beneath the landsliiide
Of a champagne superkilonover
A champagne superkilonover in the sky-y
Reposted by Margaret Harris
If you're a UK physicist or astronomer who's concerned about planned funding cuts to science funding by the UKRI, our parent organization @iop.org wants to hear from you: 🧪⚛️🔭 www.iop.org/feedback-fol...
Feedback following UKRI refocusing of funding
Please share your feedback following UKRI's refocusing of funding.
www.iop.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM
If you're a UK physicist or astronomer who's concerned about planned funding cuts to science funding by the UKRI, our parent organization @iop.org wants to hear from you: 🧪⚛️🔭 www.iop.org/feedback-fol...
Reposted by Margaret Harris
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
Reposted by Margaret Harris
for connoisseurs of local journalism traffic farming, this is the latest frontier – you reprint ancient facts from Wikipedia and present them as news, in order to create curiosity gap headlines that appear in Google Discover / Apple News
February 2, 2026 at 2:12 PM
for connoisseurs of local journalism traffic farming, this is the latest frontier – you reprint ancient facts from Wikipedia and present them as news, in order to create curiosity gap headlines that appear in Google Discover / Apple News
Last week I spotted a paper about unsinkable materials and another paper about icebergs, and because my brain runs on unexpected connections, I wrote this little post about both of them.🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/saving-the...
Saving the Titanic: the science of icebergs and unsinkable ships – Physics World
Two studies published this week have an unexpected (if tenuous) link to the 20th century’s most famous maritime disaster
physicsworld.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Last week I spotted a paper about unsinkable materials and another paper about icebergs, and because my brain runs on unexpected connections, I wrote this little post about both of them.🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/saving-the...
Machine learning in general is looking like it’ll be a huge plus for science, but LLMs specifically are currently proving *absolutely disastrous* for scientific publishing.
Research Notes of the AAS in particular, which was set up to handle short, moderated contributions especially from students, is getting swamped. Often the authors clearly haven’t read what they’ve submitting, (Descriptions of figures that don’t exist or don’t show what they purport to)
January 29, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Machine learning in general is looking like it’ll be a huge plus for science, but LLMs specifically are currently proving *absolutely disastrous* for scientific publishing.
Reposted by Margaret Harris
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
I have some colleagues who would, I suspect, love to write about this paper. Except they’re probably still catching up on the work they missed when their nursery-and-primary-school-aged children gave them multiple Lurgies From Hell.
This is hilarious: arxiv.org/abs/2601.20123
Optimal illness policy for an unethical daycare center
While businesses are typically more profitable if their workers and communities are minimally exposed to diseases, the same is not true for daycare centers. Here it is shown that a daycare center coul...
arxiv.org
January 29, 2026 at 8:14 AM
I have some colleagues who would, I suspect, love to write about this paper. Except they’re probably still catching up on the work they missed when their nursery-and-primary-school-aged children gave them multiple Lurgies From Hell.
Reposted by Margaret Harris
The Royal Astronomical Society is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Proposed budget cuts a catastrophe for UK astronomy
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (...
ras.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:07 PM
The Royal Astronomical Society is gravely concerned at the drastic cuts to support for UK astronomy outlined by the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Read our statement 👉 ras.ac.uk/news-and-pre...
Is Uranus icy? Or is it rocky? New modelling suggests that the composition of the outer planets (Uranus + Neptune) could be radically different from what we previously assumed. But if we want to know for sure, we'll have to send a spacecraft to investigate. 🔭⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/uranus-and...
Uranus and Neptune may be more rocky than icy, say astrophysicists – Physics World
Novel modelling approach suggests that the traditionally ice-rich image of these planets may be skewed
physicsworld.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Is Uranus icy? Or is it rocky? New modelling suggests that the composition of the outer planets (Uranus + Neptune) could be radically different from what we previously assumed. But if we want to know for sure, we'll have to send a spacecraft to investigate. 🔭⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/uranus-and...
Reposted by Margaret Harris
LinkedIn probably wasn’t the best channel to post this, but I stand by it
January 26, 2026 at 6:23 AM
LinkedIn probably wasn’t the best channel to post this, but I stand by it
In 1927, Einstein told Bohr, "God does not play dice." A century on, scientists are still debating the role of probability in #quantum mechanics. This article by @physicsworld.bsky.social contributor Vijit Nautiyal describes a new approach to an old question. ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/modelling-...
Modelling wavefunction collapse as a continuous flow yields insights on the nature of measurement – Physics World
Quantum state diffusion framework makes it possible to characterize quantum measurement in terms of entropy production
physicsworld.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:15 PM
In 1927, Einstein told Bohr, "God does not play dice." A century on, scientists are still debating the role of probability in #quantum mechanics. This article by @physicsworld.bsky.social contributor Vijit Nautiyal describes a new approach to an old question. ⚛️🧪 physicsworld.com/a/modelling-...
It's absolutely wild to me that simply shining a laser (albeit a very powerful one) on a material (albeit a very specialized one) can just...mess with its magnetic properties in such a highly controllable way. ⚛️🧪
Photolithography is the workhorse of modern chip manufacturing, but scientists @psi.ch and @ethz.ch recently discovered that it can also do something far more interesting: manipulate the magnetic properties of materials on a scale of nanometres. 🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/shining-la...
Shining laser light on a material produces subtle changes in its magnetic properties – Physics World
New use for photolithography could have applications for data storage
physicsworld.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM
It's absolutely wild to me that simply shining a laser (albeit a very powerful one) on a material (albeit a very specialized one) can just...mess with its magnetic properties in such a highly controllable way. ⚛️🧪
Reposted by Margaret Harris
Holy hell, what an obituary
Renfrew Christie Dies at 76; Sabotaged Racist Regime’s Nuclear Program
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Holy hell, what an obituary
Props to whoever wrote the subhead on this article. Now, if only the “grey-haired, heavily male” membership of other academic societies *cough* @royalsociety.org *cough* could agree that codes of conduct should mean something and violations should have consequences… 🧪 www.science.org/content/arti...
National Academy of Sciences to allow expulsion of harassers
Gray-haired, heavily male membership votes in historic bylaw change permitting members to be ousted for misconduct
www.science.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Props to whoever wrote the subhead on this article. Now, if only the “grey-haired, heavily male” membership of other academic societies *cough* @royalsociety.org *cough* could agree that codes of conduct should mean something and violations should have consequences… 🧪 www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Margaret Harris
We've got ISSUES. Literally.
We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do?
arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563
A 🧵 1/n
We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do?
arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563
A 🧵 1/n
January 13, 2026 at 8:27 AM
We've got ISSUES. Literally.
We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do?
arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563
A 🧵 1/n
We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do?
arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563
A 🧵 1/n
Reposted by Margaret Harris
Me in 2025: Don't use AI note takers in meetings because they can lead to unchecked errors and unfair and discriminatory outcomes
Me in 2026: Don't use Grok in military planning unless you want to accidentally start a war
Not a fan of this rate of change
Me in 2026: Don't use Grok in military planning unless you want to accidentally start a war
Not a fan of this rate of change
January 13, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Me in 2025: Don't use AI note takers in meetings because they can lead to unchecked errors and unfair and discriminatory outcomes
Me in 2026: Don't use Grok in military planning unless you want to accidentally start a war
Not a fan of this rate of change
Me in 2026: Don't use Grok in military planning unless you want to accidentally start a war
Not a fan of this rate of change
Reposted by Margaret Harris
I took to the blog and wrote about the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics, in case you're in the mood for a discount @seanmcarroll.bsky.social kind of thing: chadorzel.substack.com/p/why-the-ev...
Why the Everett Interpretation of QM Is Not Insane
The dollar-store version of Sean Carroll
chadorzel.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:29 AM
I took to the blog and wrote about the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics, in case you're in the mood for a discount @seanmcarroll.bsky.social kind of thing: chadorzel.substack.com/p/why-the-ev...
The Institute of Physics (@iop.org), its publishing arm @ioppublishing.bsky.social, and its flagship magazine @physicsworld.bsky.social (which I work for) figured this out a long time ago. If you’re a physicist/astronomer/science teacher/something else relevant, follow them & show them some love!
Why are academic societies still on X it must violate all their code of conducts?
GET OFF THAT APP NOW.
January 8, 2026 at 8:44 AM
The Institute of Physics (@iop.org), its publishing arm @ioppublishing.bsky.social, and its flagship magazine @physicsworld.bsky.social (which I work for) figured this out a long time ago. If you’re a physicist/astronomer/science teacher/something else relevant, follow them & show them some love!
As a dual citizen living in the UK (albeit not one currently under threat, either from the current UK government or from any of the even more xenophobic and illiberal options angling to replace it), this piece from @stephenkb.bsky.social perfectly articulates my anger. www.ft.com/content/0e12...
Threatening to strip someone of their citizenship is no joke
That this Labour government seems to find Alaa Abdel Fattah’s predicament a laughing matter is unconscionable
www.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:09 PM
As a dual citizen living in the UK (albeit not one currently under threat, either from the current UK government or from any of the even more xenophobic and illiberal options angling to replace it), this piece from @stephenkb.bsky.social perfectly articulates my anger. www.ft.com/content/0e12...
My favourite example in this genre is the folks who set out to climb Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa in February at 2pm (it's dark by 5), in running shoes, accompanied by multiple children under 5.
Somehow, they got to the top. At which point they *realized the train wasn't running* and called Mountain Rescue.
Somehow, they got to the top. At which point they *realized the train wasn't running* and called Mountain Rescue.
Stopping hiking mountains if you aren't prepared and know what you're doing.
You're not built different - you're just an asshole putting others in danger to save your dumb ass.
You're not built different - you're just an asshole putting others in danger to save your dumb ass.
Mass. hikers who reportedly ignored advice from authorities rescued from N.H. mountain
Two Massachusetts men were rescued from a New Hampshire mountain on Saturday after reportedly ignoring advice from authorities.
share.google
December 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM
My favourite example in this genre is the folks who set out to climb Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa in February at 2pm (it's dark by 5), in running shoes, accompanied by multiple children under 5.
Somehow, they got to the top. At which point they *realized the train wasn't running* and called Mountain Rescue.
Somehow, they got to the top. At which point they *realized the train wasn't running* and called Mountain Rescue.
This story about real-world #quantum entanglement resources includes a neat explanation of entanglement distillation and dilution, and it’s written by @physicsworld.bsky.social student contributor Daniele Iannotti. Do check it out! 🧪⚛️
What happens to entanglement in real #quantum computers? When physicists @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social started to explore this, they found that the calculus of what can be done, and what can be harnessed, needs a serious retooling. 🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/real-world...
Real-world quantum entanglement is far from an unlimited resource – Physics World
New study shows that operational limits redefine the cost and convertibility of entanglement
physicsworld.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This story about real-world #quantum entanglement resources includes a neat explanation of entanglement distillation and dilution, and it’s written by @physicsworld.bsky.social student contributor Daniele Iannotti. Do check it out! 🧪⚛️
"If Apple can wholesale ban you from accessing your personal files and family photos with no reliable channel to resolve a potential misunderstanding, you don't appear to own anything that isn't physical and held in your direct possession." ⬅️why I still buy CDs. www.theregister.com/2025/12/15/a...
Apple blocks dev after failed gift card redemption
: Paris Buttfield-Addison literally wrote books on Swift
www.theregister.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
"If Apple can wholesale ban you from accessing your personal files and family photos with no reliable channel to resolve a potential misunderstanding, you don't appear to own anything that isn't physical and held in your direct possession." ⬅️why I still buy CDs. www.theregister.com/2025/12/15/a...
Reposted by Margaret Harris
"can we use it for nukes? no? christ, just give it to the hippies across the street" - new mexico
December 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
"can we use it for nukes? no? christ, just give it to the hippies across the street" - new mexico
Is it wrong that I'm imagining the scientists in this photograph as a *human* version of a Newton's cradle? Like, if you moved the bloke on the right really far out and then let go of him, would he swing into the middle guy and make the dude on the left go flying?
Maybe that's just me.
Maybe that's just me.
Atoms in a one-dimensional #quantum gas behave like a Newton’s cradle toy, transferring energy from atom to atom without dissipation. Developed @tuwien.at, this quantum fluid of ultracold, confined rubidium atoms can be used to simulate solid-state systems. 🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/atomic-sys...
Atomic system acts like a quantum Newton’s cradle – Physics World
Quantum simulator enables scientists to test laws of transport phenomena at the quantum level
physicsworld.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Is it wrong that I'm imagining the scientists in this photograph as a *human* version of a Newton's cradle? Like, if you moved the bloke on the right really far out and then let go of him, would he swing into the middle guy and make the dude on the left go flying?
Maybe that's just me.
Maybe that's just me.