Jacklin Kwan
@jacklinkwan.bsky.social
Love a bit of physics ⚛️ | Features Editor at New Scientist
Pinned
Jacklin Kwan
@jacklinkwan.bsky.social
· May 27
Hello hello! Today was my first day at @newscientist.com as its new Features Editor
My email inbox is now open to pitches! Send me your big-swing feature ideas about science's emerging research, disruptive discoveries or high-impact applications
📧 jacklin.kwan@newscientist.com
My email inbox is now open to pitches! Send me your big-swing feature ideas about science's emerging research, disruptive discoveries or high-impact applications
📧 jacklin.kwan@newscientist.com
Was raised on a diet of science explainers growing up – SciShow, Veritasium, NileRed...
Now I’m in one. Still processing.
youtu.be/jCc1B8i_J44?...
Now I’m in one. Still processing.
youtu.be/jCc1B8i_J44?...
Every Type of Black Hole Explained
YouTube video by New Scientist
youtu.be
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Was raised on a diet of science explainers growing up – SciShow, Veritasium, NileRed...
Now I’m in one. Still processing.
youtu.be/jCc1B8i_J44?...
Now I’m in one. Still processing.
youtu.be/jCc1B8i_J44?...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
The covid-19 pandemic opened the door to once-controversial human challenge trials. Now, volunteers are willingly catching norovirus and influenza to reveal how our immune systems really fight back
How deliberately giving people illnesses is supercharging medicine
www.newscientist.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The covid-19 pandemic opened the door to once-controversial human challenge trials. Now, volunteers are willingly catching norovirus and influenza to reveal how our immune systems really fight back
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Three thought experiments involving “demons” have haunted physics for centuries. What should we make of them today?
How 3 imaginary physics demons tore up the laws of nature
www.newscientist.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Three thought experiments involving “demons” have haunted physics for centuries. What should we make of them today?
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Two clashing ideas about disorder inside black holes now point to the same strange conclusions, and it could reshape the foundations of how we think about space and time
Black hole entropy hints at a surprising truth about our universe
www.newscientist.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Two clashing ideas about disorder inside black holes now point to the same strange conclusions, and it could reshape the foundations of how we think about space and time
This might be my favourite piece from 2025!
I emailed 20+ physics depts to ask: what experiment would you do if you had all the money & time? Despite research purse strings tightening, scientists are wild dreamers (cue gamma ray lasers and mega colliders) 💥
www.newscientist.com/article/2501...
I emailed 20+ physics depts to ask: what experiment would you do if you had all the money & time? Despite research purse strings tightening, scientists are wild dreamers (cue gamma ray lasers and mega colliders) 💥
www.newscientist.com/article/2501...
Inside the wild experiments physicists would do with zero limits
From a particle smasher encircling the moon to an “impossible” laser, five scientists reveal the experiments they would run in a world powered purely by imagination
www.newscientist.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This might be my favourite piece from 2025!
I emailed 20+ physics depts to ask: what experiment would you do if you had all the money & time? Despite research purse strings tightening, scientists are wild dreamers (cue gamma ray lasers and mega colliders) 💥
www.newscientist.com/article/2501...
I emailed 20+ physics depts to ask: what experiment would you do if you had all the money & time? Despite research purse strings tightening, scientists are wild dreamers (cue gamma ray lasers and mega colliders) 💥
www.newscientist.com/article/2501...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
New tools that create ultra-precise maps of our tissues are transforming our ability to diagnose and cure once-fatal illnesses
A revolutionary way to map our bodies is helping cure deadly diseases
New tools that create ultra-precise maps of our tissues are transforming our ability to diagnose and cure once-fatal illnesses
www.newscientist.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
New tools that create ultra-precise maps of our tissues are transforming our ability to diagnose and cure once-fatal illnesses
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Matter with “forbidden” symmetries was once thought to be confined to lab experiments, but is now being found in some of the world’s most extreme environments.
Why quasicrystals shouldn’t exist but are turning up in strange places
Matter with “forbidden” symmetries was once thought to be confined to lab experiments, but is now being found in some of the world’s most extreme environments
www.newscientist.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Matter with “forbidden” symmetries was once thought to be confined to lab experiments, but is now being found in some of the world’s most extreme environments.
Not every day that we develop cures for deadly diseases, especially ones that literally make your skin fall off 😰
You've likely never heard of the tech driving this revolution: spatial multiomics. Loved working with @michael-marshall.bsky.social for this story 🔽
www.newscientist.com/article/2504...
You've likely never heard of the tech driving this revolution: spatial multiomics. Loved working with @michael-marshall.bsky.social for this story 🔽
www.newscientist.com/article/2504...
A revolutionary way to map our bodies is helping cure deadly diseases
New tools that create ultra-precise maps of our tissues are transforming our ability to diagnose and cure once-fatal illnesses
www.newscientist.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Not every day that we develop cures for deadly diseases, especially ones that literally make your skin fall off 😰
You've likely never heard of the tech driving this revolution: spatial multiomics. Loved working with @michael-marshall.bsky.social for this story 🔽
www.newscientist.com/article/2504...
You've likely never heard of the tech driving this revolution: spatial multiomics. Loved working with @michael-marshall.bsky.social for this story 🔽
www.newscientist.com/article/2504...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Never underestimate the lengths people will go to to find weird rocks.
Just edited this fantastic feature by @elisecutts.bsky.social: quasicrystals are turning up in meteorites, lightning strikes and even the aftermath of the Trinity test ⚛️
A wild detective story about forbidden symmetries hiding in extreme places
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
A wild detective story about forbidden symmetries hiding in extreme places
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Why quasicrystals shouldn’t exist but are turning up in strange places
Matter with “forbidden” symmetries was once thought to be confined to lab experiments, but is now being found in some of the world’s most extreme environments
www.newscientist.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Never underestimate the lengths people will go to to find weird rocks.
Just edited this fantastic feature by @elisecutts.bsky.social: quasicrystals are turning up in meteorites, lightning strikes and even the aftermath of the Trinity test ⚛️
A wild detective story about forbidden symmetries hiding in extreme places
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
A wild detective story about forbidden symmetries hiding in extreme places
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Why quasicrystals shouldn’t exist but are turning up in strange places
Matter with “forbidden” symmetries was once thought to be confined to lab experiments, but is now being found in some of the world’s most extreme environments
www.newscientist.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Just edited this fantastic feature by @elisecutts.bsky.social: quasicrystals are turning up in meteorites, lightning strikes and even the aftermath of the Trinity test ⚛️
A wild detective story about forbidden symmetries hiding in extreme places
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
A wild detective story about forbidden symmetries hiding in extreme places
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
In 1992, three physicists began an argument about how many numbers we need to fully describe the universe. Their surprisingly long-running quarrel takes us to the heart of what’s truly real
The 30-year fight over how many numbers we need to describe reality
In 1992, three physicists began an argument about how many numbers we need to fully describe the universe. Their surprisingly long-running quarrel takes us to the heart of what’s truly real
www.newscientist.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM
In 1992, three physicists began an argument about how many numbers we need to fully describe the universe. Their surprisingly long-running quarrel takes us to the heart of what’s truly real
The lymphatic system is one of those things I always pretended to understand
How can something so familiar still be so mysterious? Luckily this excellent feature by Carissa answers the questions I've been too scared to ask 🙏
How can something so familiar still be so mysterious? Luckily this excellent feature by Carissa answers the questions I've been too scared to ask 🙏
Our bodies contain a ghostly web of thread-like vessels and bean-shaped nodes, called the lymphatic system.
My latest cover story looks at how it could be a secret ingredient in treating some major health conditions from Alzheimer's disease to cancer.
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
My latest cover story looks at how it could be a secret ingredient in treating some major health conditions from Alzheimer's disease to cancer.
www.newscientist.com/article/2499...
The extraordinary influence of the lymphatic system on our health
It has remained mysterious for millennia, but we’re finally uncovering the profound role the lymphatic system plays in everything from preventing dementia to fighting cancer
www.newscientist.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The lymphatic system is one of those things I always pretended to understand
How can something so familiar still be so mysterious? Luckily this excellent feature by Carissa answers the questions I've been too scared to ask 🙏
How can something so familiar still be so mysterious? Luckily this excellent feature by Carissa answers the questions I've been too scared to ask 🙏
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
bombshell reporting from @carolinehaskins.bsky.social on the FTC complaints people have filed in the last year asking for help with AI psychosis:
People Who Say They’re Experiencing AI Psychosis Beg the FTC for Help
The Federal Trade Commission received 200 complaints mentioning ChatGPT between November 2022 and August 2025. Several attributed delusions, paranoia, and spiritual crises to the chatbot.
www.wired.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
bombshell reporting from @carolinehaskins.bsky.social on the FTC complaints people have filed in the last year asking for help with AI psychosis:
Had a blast writing this feature for @newscientist.com 💜
So much of physics seems to revolve around measuring constants to an eye-watering precision. This feature really made me appreciate how these numbers connect to nature
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
So much of physics seems to revolve around measuring constants to an eye-watering precision. This feature really made me appreciate how these numbers connect to nature
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
The 30-year fight over how many numbers we need to describe reality
In 1992, three physicists began an argument about how many numbers we need to fully describe the universe. Their surprisingly long-running quarrel takes us to the heart of what’s truly real
www.newscientist.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Had a blast writing this feature for @newscientist.com 💜
So much of physics seems to revolve around measuring constants to an eye-watering precision. This feature really made me appreciate how these numbers connect to nature
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
So much of physics seems to revolve around measuring constants to an eye-watering precision. This feature really made me appreciate how these numbers connect to nature
www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
How many fundamental constants are there? Turns out that's a tricky question! Great feature from @jacklinkwan.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
The 30-year fight over how many numbers we need to describe reality
In 1992, three physicists began an argument about how many numbers we need to fully describe the universe. Their surprisingly long-running quarrel takes us to the heart of what’s truly real
www.newscientist.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
How many fundamental constants are there? Turns out that's a tricky question! Great feature from @jacklinkwan.bsky.social www.newscientist.com/article/2498...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Some things we see in space appear to outpace light. Now we are learning to harness these bizarre optical illusions to understand the mysteries of neutron stars, gamma ray bursts and more
How faster-than-light explosions could reveal the universe’s secrets
Some things we see in space appear to outpace light. Now we are learning to harness these bizarre optical illusions to understand the mysteries of neutron stars, gamma ray bursts and more
www.newscientist.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Some things we see in space appear to outpace light. Now we are learning to harness these bizarre optical illusions to understand the mysteries of neutron stars, gamma ray bursts and more
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Nothing can travel faster than light – but there are some pretty convincing illusions in the universe that appear to do so.
From light echoes to backwards explosions, what can we learn from these unusual superluminal events?
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
From light echoes to backwards explosions, what can we learn from these unusual superluminal events?
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
How faster-than-light explosions could reveal the universe’s secrets
Some things we see in space appear to outpace light. Now we are learning to harness these bizarre optical illusions to understand the mysteries of neutron stars, gamma ray bursts and more
www.newscientist.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Nothing can travel faster than light – but there are some pretty convincing illusions in the universe that appear to do so.
From light echoes to backwards explosions, what can we learn from these unusual superluminal events?
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
From light echoes to backwards explosions, what can we learn from these unusual superluminal events?
Story by me in @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
Physics cements c as the ultimate speed limit, but I learnt that apparent superluminal motion is all around us, including when you flick on the lights
These illusions are helping us study the big lights in the sky
Amazing reporting by @astrojonny.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
These illusions are helping us study the big lights in the sky
Amazing reporting by @astrojonny.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
How faster-than-light explosions could reveal the universe’s secrets
Some things we see in space appear to outpace light. Now we are learning to harness these bizarre optical illusions to understand the mysteries of neutron stars, gamma ray bursts and more
www.newscientist.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Physics cements c as the ultimate speed limit, but I learnt that apparent superluminal motion is all around us, including when you flick on the lights
These illusions are helping us study the big lights in the sky
Amazing reporting by @astrojonny.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
These illusions are helping us study the big lights in the sky
Amazing reporting by @astrojonny.bsky.social
www.newscientist.com/article/2495...
Who knew that my first New Scientist cover would be as an editor!
Not too late to find out how scientists are mapping the hidden quantum world inside materials ▶️ bit.ly/47NEx6Z
Not too late to find out how scientists are mapping the hidden quantum world inside materials ▶️ bit.ly/47NEx6Z
September 17, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Who knew that my first New Scientist cover would be as an editor!
Not too late to find out how scientists are mapping the hidden quantum world inside materials ▶️ bit.ly/47NEx6Z
Not too late to find out how scientists are mapping the hidden quantum world inside materials ▶️ bit.ly/47NEx6Z
Physicists have measured the 'quantum geometric tensor' – a thing most people have never heard of but that may shapes the hidden world of all materials
Had the pleasure of working with the brilliant @kpc.bsky.social for my first cover for @newscientist.com ⚛️
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
Had the pleasure of working with the brilliant @kpc.bsky.social for my first cover for @newscientist.com ⚛️
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
We’ve glimpsed the secret quantum landscape inside all matter
A strange kind of geometry governs how particles move inside matter. Now, for the first time, physicists have uncovered its full shape – and it could transform how we design materials
www.newscientist.com
September 8, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Physicists have measured the 'quantum geometric tensor' – a thing most people have never heard of but that may shapes the hidden world of all materials
Had the pleasure of working with the brilliant @kpc.bsky.social for my first cover for @newscientist.com ⚛️
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
Had the pleasure of working with the brilliant @kpc.bsky.social for my first cover for @newscientist.com ⚛️
www.newscientist.com/article/2494...
I absolutely loved revisiting my dissertation for @sciam.bsky.social's anniversary special!
Ever since I began communicating science, I was fascinated by why non-physicists felt drawn to quantum mechanics. To answer that question, I did a deep dive in the Scientific American's archive ⬇️
Ever since I began communicating science, I was fascinated by why non-physicists felt drawn to quantum mechanics. To answer that question, I did a deep dive in the Scientific American's archive ⬇️
For our anniversary, an ode to our enduring fascinating with quantum mechanics for 100 years and counting by @jacklinkwan.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/what...
Quantum Mechanics Makes No Sense. So Why Do We Love It So Much?
A survey of Scientific American’s century of quantum coverage helps explain the enduring popularity of strange physics
www.scientificamerican.com
September 8, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I absolutely loved revisiting my dissertation for @sciam.bsky.social's anniversary special!
Ever since I began communicating science, I was fascinated by why non-physicists felt drawn to quantum mechanics. To answer that question, I did a deep dive in the Scientific American's archive ⬇️
Ever since I began communicating science, I was fascinated by why non-physicists felt drawn to quantum mechanics. To answer that question, I did a deep dive in the Scientific American's archive ⬇️
In the immortal words of Insane Clown Posse: "Magnets, how do they work?" We've just discovered a new form: altermagnets. Confused? Join the club
Luckily @libor-s.bsky.social explains to me why magnets are as elegant as they are confusing for @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2487...
Luckily @libor-s.bsky.social explains to me why magnets are as elegant as they are confusing for @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2487...
We’ve discovered a new kind of magnetism. What can we do with it?
Researchers have found the first new type of magnet in nearly a century. Now, these strange "altermagnets" could help us build an entirely new type of computer
www.newscientist.com
July 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In the immortal words of Insane Clown Posse: "Magnets, how do they work?" We've just discovered a new form: altermagnets. Confused? Join the club
Luckily @libor-s.bsky.social explains to me why magnets are as elegant as they are confusing for @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2487...
Luckily @libor-s.bsky.social explains to me why magnets are as elegant as they are confusing for @newscientist.com
www.newscientist.com/article/2487...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
The Vera Rubin Observatory will change everything. Seeing wider, deeper, and faster. Investigating everything from dark energy to Planet 9. Here's all you need to know. 🔭🧪 @science.org @vrubinobs.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
This giant, all-seeing telescope is set to revolutionize astronomy
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will build an unprecedented map of the universe—and discover billions of fast-changing objects
www.science.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The Vera Rubin Observatory will change everything. Seeing wider, deeper, and faster. Investigating everything from dark energy to Planet 9. Here's all you need to know. 🔭🧪 @science.org @vrubinobs.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
"Tested" is a great and beautifully made, thoughtful podcast miniseries on the history of testing for sex in sports and the way it mostly serves exclude trans women and to harm cis women with natural variation www.newamerica.org/fellows/even...
Tested: A Surprising History of Women's Sports
Join New America Fellows and ASU's Sports @ Humanities Institute for a conversation about the podcast, Tested.
www.newamerica.org
May 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM
"Tested" is a great and beautifully made, thoughtful podcast miniseries on the history of testing for sex in sports and the way it mostly serves exclude trans women and to harm cis women with natural variation www.newamerica.org/fellows/even...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
My feature article about the delayed-choice quantum eraser is out now in @physicsworld.bsky.social!
physicsworld.com/a/the-quantu...
physicsworld.com/a/the-quantu...
May 29, 2025 at 11:54 AM
My feature article about the delayed-choice quantum eraser is out now in @physicsworld.bsky.social!
physicsworld.com/a/the-quantu...
physicsworld.com/a/the-quantu...