Researchers from the University of Cambridge have created DNA-like magnetic nanostructures that form strong inter-helix magnetic bonds. These produce topological textures in the magnetic field, opening the door to the next generation of magnetic devices, and patterning magnetic fields on the nanoscale.

Particles in quantum systems have many potential values, making them hard to simulate with a conventional computer. Researchers have proposed a new way to prepare energy states of a simulated quantum system using a quantum computer. Researchers first determine the energy state they are interested in creating. The quantum computer starts the system in a simplified state, then produces different combinations of how the variables evolve over time, then eliminates the energy states that don’t match researchers’ targets.

The iconic tusked whale of the Arctic has a new enemy – noise. A unique study from the University of Copenhagen and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources shows that narwhals are highly affected by noise from ships and seismic airgun pulses – even at 20-30 kilometers away. As ice melts, noise levels in the Arctic are rising, worrying scientists about the future of narwhals.