Measured

For centuries, one of the most important numbers in physics has evaded accurate identification. The results of a recent experiment by NIST researchers could help bring us closer to a satisfying answer.

The magnetometer found inside your cellphone acts like a traditional compass to help you navigate your surroundings. Now, researchers are using it to map human biology, and it could ultimately make managing diabetes a lot cheaper and easier.

For the first time in 30 years, new terms have been officially added to the International System of Units. The four new prefixes – ronna, quetta, ronto and quecto – describe very large and very small numbers that until now didn’t have their own names