Today in Science: Quantum tunneling wins physics Nobel

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October 7, 2025—Babies can process language in the womb, an enzyme that alters a person's blood type, and this year's Nobel Prize in Physics goes to research on a bizarre quantum effect.    —Andrea Tamayo, Newsletter Writer TODAY'S NEWS Vicki Smith/Getty Images By imaging the brains of newborns, researchers found that babies begin to process language before they're born. | 3 min read  Researchers discovered an enzyme that can convert the blood type of human organs. The first-of-its-kind procedure could someday improve access to donor organs. | 2 min read Growing up, Carla Brodley was almost shut out of computer science. But now, thanks to her efforts to make it more accessible, more women have stayed in the field. | 34 min listen  Today, the Supreme Court weighs Colorado's ban on scientifically discredited "conversion therapy." | 4 min read  More News TOP STORIES The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics vanbeets/Getty Images (medal) Quantum Tunneling This year's Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists—John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis—who brought a bizarre microscopic effect, called quantum tunneling, into the macroscopic world via electronics big enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Quantum tunneling occurs when a particle passes through a barrier to almost magically appear on the other side, leaving the barrier unscathed.   How it works: The scientists created electric circuits that contained superconducting components (which can conduct current without electric resistance) divided by a thin barrier of non-conductive material. Through exhaustive mapping and measurement of the circuit's properties, Clarke, Devoret and Martinis showed how electrons moving through the system act as a single particle, tunneling across the dividing barrier to fill the entire circuit.   Why it matters: Quantum tunneling is the basis for transistors, which are the foundational technology for all sorts of modern devices ranging from supercomputers to smartphones. And by showing how this esoteric effect from the subatomic realm can also manifest at larger, everyday scales, the new laureates' work paved the way for future quantum-infused technological breakthroughs, namely the ongoing development of quantum computing.  Read laureate John Clarke's 1994 Scientific American article on superconducting quantum interference devices, or SQUIDS, which are highly sensitive magnetometers used in medical diagnostic equipment and other high-performance hardware. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor IMAGE OF THE DAY In his new book Feline, photographer Tim Flach captures his fascination with the science of cats. Flach had been hesitant to take on the notoriously uncooperative felines. But he persevered, producing a book that combines his images with text by Jonathan Losos, an evolutionary biologist at Washington University in St. Louis. | 4 min read​

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SPONSORED CONTENT BY NANOBIOSYM RESEARCH INSTITUTE  Nanobiosym Global Summit 2.0: Quantum Convergence at MIT  Scientific American is a proud media partner of Nanobiosym's next big summit, which will be held on October 11- 12, 2025 at MIT's Kresge Auditorium. This landmark event will bring together some of the world's brightest minds and boldest leaders to reimagine the future of science, technology, longevity, AI, consciousness and the 5th Industrial Revolution. Help shape the New Renaissance!    Apply here to join us as a Delegate to the Nanobiosym Global Summit

EXPERT PERSPECTIVES In January 2024, Florida legislators approved House Bill 1639, which endorsed so-called conversion therapy: counseling aimed at curing someone of being transgender, viewing it as a form of mental disorder or spiritual failing. But studies have found that LGBTQ people who underwent conversion therapy "had nearly twice the odds of lifetime suicidal ideation" and were 75 percent more likely to plan to attempt suicide, wrote Steve Silberman, journalist and author, the next month. "With many red-state legislators, and the Supreme Court's far-right partisans, demonstrating that they view LGBTQ people as broken and in need of repair, protecting young people from such harmful quackery requires extra vigilance from all of us," he says. PUZZLER Unscramble this image of our cover from May 1952. The assembled illustration features a flowering baby's breath plant growing in artificial day-night cycles. More Puzzles At least one thing has been resolved today: You know what to get for your favorite cat lover as a holiday gift. Cats are an exceptional example of evolutionary success according to some biologists. Plus, they look so cool doing what they do. Photographer Tim Flach has other stunning collections on dogs, horses, and even endangered species, so all animal lovers are covered. Please send any ideas, comments or feedback on this newsletter to: newsletters@sciam.com. See you tomorrow!   —Andrea Tamayo, Newsletter Writer with contributions from Andrea Gawrylewski

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