Could some observations from a faraway galaxy add up to a refutation of string theory? Researchers who study data from NASA’s Chandra Observatory think so. It’s difficult to prove something’s absence ...

What is string theory: It replaces point-like particles with tiny vibrating strings, requiring extra dimensions to reconcile ...

Why this matters: Extra dimensions could unify physics, explain cosmic mysteries, and reshape our understanding of the universe’s structure. What scientists propose: String theory and M‑theory predict ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. String theory captured the hearts and minds of many physicists decades ago because of a beautiful simplicity. Zoom in far enough on a ...

String theory proposes that the fundamental constituents of the universe are one-dimensional “strings” rather than point-like particles. What we perceive as particles are actually vibrations in loops ...

Brian Greene is one of the foremost scientists and science communicators of our time. Greene, a theoretical physicist at Columbia University, has been working for decades to advance our understanding ...