Exploring the Multiverse: Insights into Quantum Behavior
Victor de Schwamberg/Science Photo Library
A groundbreaking physics experiment published this year reported measuring single photons in two locations simultaneously, an assertion that challenges the multiverse theory. While many physicists express skepticism, the researchers staunchly defend their findings.
In May, Holger Hoffman and his team from Hiroshima University revealed results from a refined version of the iconic double-slit experiment. Their findings indicate that individual photons are “delocalized,” suggesting they cannot be confined to one location.
The initial double-slit experiments, conducted in 1801, demonstrated that shining light through two narrow slits onto a screen resulted in a wavy interference pattern. This phenomenon persists even when photons are emitted one at a time, implying that a single photon can behave like a wave—a point of contention among physicists regarding the nature of single photons and measurement.
When referencing a quantum particle as wavelike, this typically pertains to its wave function, a mathematical representation of all potential locations the particle might occupy.
These potential states exist in a layered configuration until a measurement is made—a concept known as superposition. Most physicists contend that measuring a particle collapses its wave function from superposition to a singular state.
One way to understand this is to propose the existence of multiple overlapping universes, each allowing photons to navigate different paths, with potential interference between photons from these separate universes, a concept referred to as the “many-worlds” interpretation.
However, Hoffman and his collaborators argue that their experiments provide concrete evidence that photons traverse both slits, demonstrating the wave function as more than just a mathematical abstraction—it serves as a depiction of reality, countering the idea of a multiverse.
Nevertheless, many physicists have expressed concern regarding the team’s methodology, suggesting that repeated statistical measurements cannot adequately determine a particle’s attributes. “I don’t believe you can draw conclusions about a single photon based on this,” stated Andrew Jordan at Chapman University in California, discussing the report with New Scientist.
The assertion that these experiments could resolve foundational issues in quantum mechanics has been met with considerable skepticism, according to Hoffman, partially due to the innovative nature of their measurement techniques.
“We’re challenging traditional views,” Hoffman explained, noting that existing interpretations of quantum mechanics usually presume that measured values and their mathematical representations depict reality. “The many-worlds interpretation is essentially the most extreme extension of that presumption,” he added.
Hoffman asserts that their investigation reveals that mathematical wave functions do not embody reality; the only true reality is what can be measured. “Although superposition suggests that a state might be defined by hypothetical measurements, actual experimental data contradicts this broader interpretation,” he elaborated.
Despite facing difficulties in publishing their findings, Hoffman and his team have been invited to present their research to various academic groups and are actively refining their work. “We anticipated some resistance. If this endeavor were straightforward, it wouldn’t be worthwhile. Altering one’s perspective takes considerable effort,” Hoffman concluded.
The demand for electricity by data centers in Australia could triple over the next five years, with projections indicating it may surpass the energy consumed by electric vehicles by 2030.
Currently, data centers obtain approximately 2% of their electricity from the National Grid, equating to around 4 terawatt-hours (TWh). The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) is optimistic about this share significantly increasing, projecting a growth of 25% annually to reach 12TWh, or 6% of grid demand by 2030, and 12% by 2050.
Aemo anticipates that the rapid expansion of this industry will drive “substantial increases in electricity usage, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.”
In New South Wales and Victoria, where the majority of data centers are situated, they contribute to 11% and 8% of electricity demand, respectively, by 2030. Electricity demand in each state is projected to grow accordingly.
Tech companies like OpenAI and SunCable are pushing Australia towards becoming a central hub for data processing and storage. Recently, the Victorian Government announced a $5.5 million investment aimed at establishing the region as Australia’s data center capital.
However, with 260 data centers currently operating across the nation and numerous others in the pipeline, experts express concerns about the implications of unchecked industry growth on energy transition and climate objectives.
Energy Usage Equivalent to 100,000 Households
The continual operation of numerous servers generates substantial heat and requires extensive electricity for both operation and cooling.
Subscribe to Climate and Environment Editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column for insightful newsletters
Globally, the demand for data centers is growing at a rate four times faster than other sectors, according to the International Energy Agency. The number and size of centers are escalating, with large facilities becoming increasingly common.
As highlighted by the IEA, “AI-centric hyperscale data centers possess a capacity exceeding 100MW and consume energy equivalent to what 100,000 homes use annually.”
Professor Michael Blair, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Melbourne and director of the Net Zero Australia project, stated that there is a significant connection between electricity and water usage due to cooling requirements, as servers convert electrical energy into heat.
“In confined spaces with many computers, air conditioning is required to maintain an optimal operating temperature,” he explains.
Typically, digital infrastructure is cooled through air conditioning or water systems.
Ketan Joshi, a climate analyst at the Oslo-based Australia Institute, shares that many tech companies are reporting a surge in electricity consumption compared to last year. The intensity of energy usage has also been increasing across several metrics: energy per active user and energy per unit of revenue, when compared to five years ago.
“They aren’t consuming more energy to serve additional users or increase revenue,” he asserts. “The pertinent question is: why is our energy consumption escalating?”
In the absence of concrete data, Joshi suggests that the undeniable growth in demand is likely attributed to the rise of energy-intensive generative AI systems.
“Running Harder to Stay in the Same Place”
Joshi is monitoring this issue, as data centers globally are evidenced to place substantial and inflexible demands on power grids, resulting in two significant repercussions: increased dependence on coal and gas generation, and diverting resources away from the energy transition.
While data center companies often assert they operate using clean energy through investments in solar and wind, Joshi remarks that there can often be a mismatch between their companies’ persistent reliance on the grid and their renewable energy production profiles.
“What’s the ultimate impact on the power grid?” he questions. “Sometimes, we have surplus energy, and other times, there isn’t enough.”
“So, even if everything appears favorable on paper, your data center might be inadvertently supporting fossil fuel transportation.”
Moreover, instead of renewable energy sources displacing coal and gas, these sources are accommodating the growing demands of data centers, Joshi notes. “It’s like sprinting on a treadmill—no matter how hard you run, it feels like the speed is continually increasing.”
The demand for electricity has surged to the extent that some companies have resorted to restarting their operations. Nuclear power plants in the U.S. that were once mothballed are being revived as demand for gas turbines increases. Some Australian developers are even proposing the installation of new gas generators to fulfill their energy needs.
Aemo predicts that by 2035, data centers could consume 21.4TWh, nearing the country’s annual energy consumption, comparable to that of four aluminum smelters.
Blair pointed out that AI adoption is in its infancy, and the outlook remains uncertain, as Aemo’s 2035 energy consumption scenarios range between 12TWh and 24TWh, indicating that the future might not be as expansive as anticipated.
In the National AI Plan released Tuesday, the federal government recognized the necessity for advancements in new energy and cooling technologies for AI systems. Industry Minister Tim Ayers stated that principles for data center investments will be established in early 2026, emphasizing requirements for supplementary investments in renewable energy generation and water sustainability.
“Undeniable Impact” on Electricity Prices
Dr. Dylan McConnell, an energy systems researcher at the University of New South Wales, noted that while renewable energy is on the rise in Australia, it is not yet progressing rapidly enough to meet required renewable energy and emissions targets. The expansion of data centers will complicate these challenges.
“If demand escalates beyond projections and renewables can’t keep pace, we’ll end up meeting that new demand instead of displacing coal,” he explains.
Unlike electric vehicles, which enhance demand on the grid while lowering gasoline and diesel usage, data centers do not reduce fossil fuel consumption elsewhere in the economy, according to McConnell.
“If this demand materializes, it will severely hamper our emissions targets and complicate our ability to phase out coal in alignment with those targets,” he advises.
In its climate targets recommendations, the Climate Change Agency stated: “Data centers will continue to scale up, exerting deeper pressure on local power sources and further hampering renewable energy expansions.”
McConnell asserted there will be a significant effect on overall energy costs, influencing electricity prices.
“To support this load, we will need a larger system that utilizes more costly resources.”
A hacker threatens to release personal information and photographs of thousands of nursery children online unless a ransom is paid.
Identified by the alias Shine, the hacker compromised the UK-based Kido Nursery chain and revealed the profiles of 10 children online on Thursday. Their Dark Web site features a “Data Leak Roadmap,” indicating plans to “publish 30 profiles of personal data for each child and 100 employees.”
A cybersecurity briefing reviewed by the Guardian suggests that Radiant is a new entity within the cybercrime landscape, “pushing the limits of morality and practicality.”
The group’s online content demonstrates proficient English skills; however, there are hints they may not be Western, attributed to a “slight awkwardness” in their phrasing, the analysis indicates.
The Radiant Gang’s “leak sites”—a common strategy in ransomware attacks displaying victim data on the dark web—contain 10 Kido customer profiles for parents, which include the child’s name, date of birth, parent’s and grandparent’s names, as well as address and phone number.
The site claims to possess sensitive information on over 8,000 children and their families, documenting incidents, protection reports, and claims. All Kido nurseries in the UK have reported being impacted.
The leak site mentioned its efforts to negotiate with Kido, stating, “It’s slowly leaking, which undermines the entire company and prompts them to continue the dialogue.”
A spokesperson from Kido stated: “We have recently identified and responded to cyber incidents. We are collaborating with external experts to investigate and determine the details of what occurred. We will promptly inform both our families and relevant authorities and maintain close communication with them.”
The nursery chain is collaborating with authorities, including the intelligence committee’s office, Ofsted, and the Metropolitan Police, which is currently conducting an investigation.
An email from Kido UK CEO Catherine Stoneman, reviewed by the Guardian, noted a “complex” forensic investigation and emphasized treating the incident as a “first priority.” She suggested that the breach involved “two third-party systems responsible for processing certain data.”
Stoneman elaborated: “If we confirm that family information has been compromised, affected families have been contacted. If you have not received direct communication, that means there is no forensic evidence indicating your data has been impacted.”
With 18 locations across London, the US, India, and China, Kido informed parents that the breach occurred due to criminal access to data hosted on a software service known as Famly.
Famly’s CEO, Anders Laustsen, stated: “We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into this matter to ensure that Famly’s security and infrastructure have not been compromised.
One parent shared with the BBC that she received a threatening phone call from a hacker.
Sean, whose child attends Kido Nursery in Tooting, southwest London, expressed that neither he nor any parents he knew had been directly informed by the nursery about the potential compromise of their children’s data. “How could they obtain details for specific kids, not just generally? That’s the real issue,” he remarked.
Sean noted that he viewed the risk of real-time information regarding children—such as through cyberattacks—as a necessary trade-off for using the app. He empathized with nursery staff who bear the brunt of parental complaints, pointing out that the app provider should be held accountable.
“One of the obviously alarming aspects is that anyone could stoop to such depths to extort money from a nursery while using children as leverage,” he said.
Authorities are cautioning businesses against paying hacker ransoms to help prevent the perpetuation of criminal activities, as cyberattacks continue to escalate in frequency.
Recent high-profile victims include Co-ops, Marks & Spencer, and Jaguar Land Rover. Many of these attacks have been linked to an English-speaking cybercrime group known as “scattered spiders.”
The M&S hack utilized ransomware commonly associated with Russian-speaking cyber gangs, including software designed to lock target IT systems.
The BBC communicated with criminals via the Signal messaging app, found them fluent in English but learned that it wasn’t their primary language, and they employed others for calls.
The hacker remarked, “We do it for profit, not just for the sake of being criminals. I know I’m committing crimes and this isn’t my first or my last.”
They added that the public scrutiny was too intense, leading them to refrain from targeting nurseries again.
Vaping offers a healthier alternative to smoking, yet it is not without risks.
Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
Fungal sequences linked to lung issues have been identified from e-cigarette mouthpieces.
While vaping is often recommended as a means to avoid smoking, the long-term health impacts remain largely unclear.
Devices designed for vaping utilize battery-powered coils to heat liquids that typically contain nicotine, generating vapors for inhalation by the user. The primary health concerns center around the toxicity of the liquid’s chemical components; however, the presence of microorganisms transferred from the device to the user’s airways has not been thoroughly investigated.
For further insights, refer to Borna Mehrad and his team at the University of Florida, who studied 25 daily users of disposable vapes. Researchers isolated microorganisms from the mouthpiece of the devices and compared them with samples taken from the participants’ mouths.
Although the sample size was limited, researchers noted that more than half exhibited a “rich colonization” of fungal species distinct from those found in the participants’ mouths, with 80% of these species linked to potential illnesses in humans.
The predominant species identified was Cystobasidium minutum, which is associated with blood infections in immunocompromised individuals. To evaluate its impact on lung health, the research team exposed mice to C. minutum, mimicking the inhalation process associated with vaping.
“Our findings showed that the fungus most frequently found in vape samples induced characteristics of chronic bronchitis in mice,” explains Mehrad. This condition is characterized by airway inflammation and can result in flu-like symptoms.
Regarding the source of these fungi, some may be present in the environment or on our hands. However, Jason Smith indicated that while this has not been tested, it is possible that some microorganisms were already within the vaping liquid when purchased. “Residual material in the vape device can create a nutrient base for mold proliferation,” he adds.
Ian Musgrave from the University of Adelaide in Australia has noted that these fungi have also been detected in shisha (commonly referred to as hookah or waterpipe), which is known to contribute to lung diseases induced by microbes. “Notably, the microbiota documented in this study were predominantly composed of potentially pathogenic fungi that are uncommon in the oral microbiota,” he remarks.
Team member Katy Deitz expressed that the results were not surprising, considering that around one-third of participants who reported respiratory complaints, such as coughing, did not properly clean their vapes.
Musgrave advocates for regular cleaning of vaping devices but stresses that current evidence does not definitively indicate that these fungal species exist in sufficient quantities on vape mouthpieces to pose a health threat.
The charity that operates Wikipedia is contesting the UK’s online safety legislation in the High Court, arguing that certain regulations put the site at risk of “operation and vandalism.”
This case could mark the first judicial review concerning online safety laws. The Wikimedia Foundation contends that it faces the danger of being subjected to the stringent Category 1 obligations that impose additional requirements on the largest websites and applications.
The Foundation has stated that enforcing a Category 1 obligation could jeopardize the safety and privacy of Wikipedia’s volunteer editors, potentially leading to the manipulation and destruction of entries, while diverting resources away from the site’s protection and enhancement.
Phil Bradley Schmieg, the Foundation’s lead attorney, announced plans to pursue a judicial review of the classification regulations.
The Foundation clarifies that it is not disputing the entire act or the existence of the requirements but is questioning the process that determines how a platform is designated as Category 1.
These regulations were established in secondary legislation by technical secretary Peter Kyle. The Foundation is challenging Kyle’s decision to implement these statutory measures through a judicial review that evaluates the legality of decisions in the High Court of England and Wales.
According to one interpretation of the Category 1 obligations, the Foundation noted that if it opts not to authenticate Wikipedia users and editors, anonymous users would need to grant other contributors the power to block modifications or deletions of content. This is part of the legal measures aimed at addressing online trolling.
Consequently, thousands of volunteer editors would be required to undergo identity verification, conflicting with the Foundation’s commitment to minimizing data collection about its readers and contributors.
Violations of this law could result in penalties such as an £18 million fine or 10% of the company’s global revenue, and potentially, in extreme cases, access to services could be restricted in the UK.
Bradley-Schmieg emphasized that the volunteer community, which operates in over 300 languages, could face “data breaches, stalking, troubling litigation, and even incarceration by authoritarian regimes.”
“Privacy is fundamental to keeping our users safe and empowered. Designed for social media, this is just one of many Category 1 obligations that could severely impact Wikipedia,” he stated.
The Foundation argues that the definition of Category 1 services is both broad and ambiguous, encompassing the ability to share or display content. It also refers to “popular” sites, focusing on usage patterns rather than the nature of the platform’s use.
“I regret that the circumstances have compelled me to request a judicial review of the OSA classification regulations,” Bradley-Schmieg remarked. “It is particularly unfortunate that we must safeguard the privacy and security of Wikipedia’s volunteer editors from flawed legislation when the intent of the OSA is to make the online environment in the UK safer.”
In response, a spokesperson for the UK government stated, “We are dedicated to implementing online safety laws to foster a secure online space for everyone. We cannot comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.”
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
