Nature Physics

A recently proposed class of magnets, so-called altermagnets, combine features of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. We discuss the scientific appeal of altermagnets, current controversies and challenges for their practical use. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Thesis Top of page ⤴ Malaria parasites rapidly glide through host tissues in right-handed spirals. A tilted architecture and asymmetric forces power this chiral motion and help them to transition between different environments.

Social connections can unlock opportunities that are advantageous to careers in physics. However, this resource is unevenly distributed, and its benefits can’t always overcome the negative effects of societal stereotypes and biases. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Thesis Top of page ⤴ Controlling topological photonic quasiparticles is a prerequisite for their implementation in devices.

Fungi in flow The means by which filamentous fungi can control fluid flows in porous media remain poorly understood. Sang Hyun Lee and co-workers show that the fungi can create multiphase flows by locally clogging pores, thereby redistributing fluid phases. The image shows hydrophilic fungi Penicillium sp. displacing oil trapped in a porous medium. The fungi grow from the aqueous phase into the oil phase in a microfluidic chip, advancing the oil–water interface and displacing the oil. See Lee et al.

A toast to twenty To celebrate the journal's twentieth birthday, we take a look back at the papers that formed our first-ever issue. The network motif represents the interconnectedness of physics research. The central node is Nature Physics at twenty years old. The next ring of nodes serves as a graphical representation of each of the eight papers in the first issue, with the intellectual links they spurred stretching into the rest of the network. See Reichert et al. Image: Laoise Mac Gabhann.

The first direct observation of gravitational waves occurred on 14 September 2015. We look back at ten years of gravitational wave science. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts expose the need for science education research. World View Top of page ⤴ Thesis Top of page ⤴ The properties of quantum Hall states can be probed in experiments inspired by optical interferometers.

It’s never too early to plan for a regular dose of physics during your vacation. If you are looking for inspiration, we have some hidden physics gems for you. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Geopolitical tensions pose a threat to international collaborations and the democratization of science. World View Top of page ⤴ Thesis Top of page ⤴ Intense muon beams are generated at large facilities. A proof-of-principle experiment demonstrates muon generation in the laboratory.

This month, we publish three articles reporting breakthroughs in different areas of quasicrystal research. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Thesis Top of page ⤴ Books & Arts Top of page ⤴ The high precision of atomic sensors can be further enhanced by quantum correlations between atoms prepared in an entangled state through the use of artificial intelligence. News & Views Quasicrystals were discovered by chance about 40 years ago, and it has largely been a matter of luck to find new ones since.

This month, we celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention and look to the future of metrology. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Heliophysics focuses on understanding the different processes in the solar system and the influence of the Sun on space and planets. Collaboration between subfields of heliophysics and different communities needs to improve to advance the field.

This month, we publish a Comment detailing the proportion of papers published in Nature Physics that have a last author who is a woman. Here, we present our internal data and outline our response and commitments for the future. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Thesis Top of page ⤴ On average, physics students who identify as men perceive themselves more strongly as ‘physics people’ than students who are women.

Following International Women’s Day, we draw inspiration from trailblazing women physicists from history and ask how the physics community can accelerate the closing of the gender gap. Editorial Top of page ⤴ Physics is amazing and transformational. But for far too long the people most likely to benefit from its opportunity and wonder have been too narrowly defined.