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
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...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
Is modern medicine overdiagnosing? www.bmj.com/content/389/...
Suzanne O’Sullivan interview: Is modern medicine overdiagnosing?
Early detection and proactive medicine are often equated with better care—but Suzanne O’Sullivan begs to differ The Age of Diagnosis ,1 a new book by Suzanne O’Sullivan—neurologist, clinical…
www.bmj.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Is modern medicine overdiagnosing? www.bmj.com/content/389/...
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
May 27, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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
I'm leaving my role as Digital Comms Officer at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, and joining @newscientist.com as their new Features Editor for the next 6 months
I should probably avoid cliches (esp in my new editor role) but it really is a dream come true! I start next week, so watch this space 👀
I should probably avoid cliches (esp in my new editor role) but it really is a dream come true! I start next week, so watch this space 👀
May 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I'm leaving my role as Digital Comms Officer at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social, and joining @newscientist.com as their new Features Editor for the next 6 months
I should probably avoid cliches (esp in my new editor role) but it really is a dream come true! I start next week, so watch this space 👀
I should probably avoid cliches (esp in my new editor role) but it really is a dream come true! I start next week, so watch this space 👀
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
"Tropical tree in Panama has evolved to kill its 'enemies' with lightning"
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
by @jacklinkwan.bsky.social for Live Sciences
#PlantScience
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
by @jacklinkwan.bsky.social for Live Sciences
#PlantScience
Tree that kills its 'enemies' with lightning discovered
Tonka bean trees survive lightning strikes — and use the powerful electric shocks to kill their competitors.
www.livescience.com
April 16, 2025 at 7:33 AM
"Tropical tree in Panama has evolved to kill its 'enemies' with lightning"
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
by @jacklinkwan.bsky.social for Live Sciences
#PlantScience
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
by @jacklinkwan.bsky.social for Live Sciences
#PlantScience
Sharks aren't so silent after all! 🦈🔊
For the first time ever, researchers recorded rig sharks making loud clicking sounds underwater. It might be a stress signal, a defence tactic… or just their teeth snapping shut
My latest for @livescience.com ⬇️
www.livescience.com/animals/shar...
For the first time ever, researchers recorded rig sharks making loud clicking sounds underwater. It might be a stress signal, a defence tactic… or just their teeth snapping shut
My latest for @livescience.com ⬇️
www.livescience.com/animals/shar...
Scientists thought sharks didn't make sounds — until this accidental discovery
Researchers made the first known recordings of sharks making sounds after noticing they made clicks while being handled at a marine laboratory.
www.livescience.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Sharks aren't so silent after all! 🦈🔊
For the first time ever, researchers recorded rig sharks making loud clicking sounds underwater. It might be a stress signal, a defence tactic… or just their teeth snapping shut
My latest for @livescience.com ⬇️
www.livescience.com/animals/shar...
For the first time ever, researchers recorded rig sharks making loud clicking sounds underwater. It might be a stress signal, a defence tactic… or just their teeth snapping shut
My latest for @livescience.com ⬇️
www.livescience.com/animals/shar...
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
When the US reported a year ago that the H5N1 avian influenza virus had infected dairy cattle, it seemed some rare confluence of factors had allowed the virus to infect the cows’ udders.
Then it happened again.
And again.
Story in @science.org on some questions about the origins of H5N1 in cows… 🧪
Then it happened again.
And again.
Story in @science.org on some questions about the origins of H5N1 in cows… 🧪
Mysteries surrounding cow flu have scientists concerned about future outbreaks
One year after the first infections were reported, it's still unclear how H5N1 virus jumped into U.S. cattle—and why it keeps doing so
www.science.org
March 26, 2025 at 9:47 AM
When the US reported a year ago that the H5N1 avian influenza virus had infected dairy cattle, it seemed some rare confluence of factors had allowed the virus to infect the cows’ udders.
Then it happened again.
And again.
Story in @science.org on some questions about the origins of H5N1 in cows… 🧪
Then it happened again.
And again.
Story in @science.org on some questions about the origins of H5N1 in cows… 🧪
Reposted by Jacklin Kwan
I’ve had a several dozen requests to write or be interviewed about the 5th anniversary of Covid and said no to all of them… except this one with @alexis-madrigal.bsky.social. Here’s our chat on the things we’ve memory-holed, and where we go from here.
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
Ed Yong on the Pandemic’s Legacy on Science Research and Reporting | KQED
As part of our series looking at the legacy of the pandemic five years on, we talk to Ed Yong about how COVID changed our relationship with health news, reporting and research.
www.kqed.org
March 24, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I’ve had a several dozen requests to write or be interviewed about the 5th anniversary of Covid and said no to all of them… except this one with @alexis-madrigal.bsky.social. Here’s our chat on the things we’ve memory-holed, and where we go from here.
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
#23andMe declared bankruptcy, so it seems like a good time to re-share @wired.com feature 🧬
23andMe sells a story about personal heritage, told through genetics... But reality is often more subjective & politicised than they let on
Palestinian identity in 23andMe 🇵🇸🔽
www.wired.com/story/23andm...
23andMe sells a story about personal heritage, told through genetics... But reality is often more subjective & politicised than they let on
Palestinian identity in 23andMe 🇵🇸🔽
www.wired.com/story/23andm...
Mohammed is Palestinian. Why does 23andMe think he’s Egyptian?
Genetic ancestry tests such as 23andMe attempt to place individuals into neatly-defined country groups. But people from Palestine are finding their heritage erased
www.wired.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
#23andMe declared bankruptcy, so it seems like a good time to re-share @wired.com feature 🧬
23andMe sells a story about personal heritage, told through genetics... But reality is often more subjective & politicised than they let on
Palestinian identity in 23andMe 🇵🇸🔽
www.wired.com/story/23andm...
23andMe sells a story about personal heritage, told through genetics... But reality is often more subjective & politicised than they let on
Palestinian identity in 23andMe 🇵🇸🔽
www.wired.com/story/23andm...
Scientists have used CO2 lasers to detect radioactive material from 10m away, over 10x farther than the previous record! ☢️
The approach could find a home in nuclear security & disaster response. Always a joy to cover nuclear detection for @physicsworld.bsky.social
physicsworld.com/a/co2-laser-...
The approach could find a home in nuclear security & disaster response. Always a joy to cover nuclear detection for @physicsworld.bsky.social
physicsworld.com/a/co2-laser-...
CO2 laser enables long-range detection of radioactive material – Physics World
Remote detection of radioactive material could play an important role in nuclear disaster response and nuclear security
physicsworld.com
March 19, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Scientists have used CO2 lasers to detect radioactive material from 10m away, over 10x farther than the previous record! ☢️
The approach could find a home in nuclear security & disaster response. Always a joy to cover nuclear detection for @physicsworld.bsky.social
physicsworld.com/a/co2-laser-...
The approach could find a home in nuclear security & disaster response. Always a joy to cover nuclear detection for @physicsworld.bsky.social
physicsworld.com/a/co2-laser-...
Oh, when will we learn?
January 13, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Oh, when will we learn?