Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 29 October 2026 · From issue 59

Potential energy landscape networks of confined vortex matter

In simulations, special "magic number" vortex patterns made the whole energy map far simpler.

Xiaoyu Ma, Wenzhao Li et al.

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Also in issue 59 15 papers

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In human cells, spindle filaments space themselves by density and two motor proteins, not by spanning the whole cell.
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Different flat surfaces on clay grab heavy rare earth metals in different ways depending on water acidity.
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In premature babies, a key brain region follows its own timetable and does not catch up.
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Africa's total water demand hit 347 cubic kilometers in 2020, mostly for farming.
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Ancient people avoided areas with water but no good toolmaking stone, even in Arabia's desert.
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In lab tests, thrombin trims a Parkinson's protein, changing how it clumps and works.
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A shorter, one week rabies vaccine schedule made fewer antibodies than the standard one month schedule.
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A black hole's winds weakened as it switched to shooting out a fast particle jet.
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