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Bursts of heat hundreds of thousands of times more intense than the sun are generated as lead ions collide in conditions colder than outer space, releasing exotic new particles.

The reaction creates a kaleidoscope of colours as the energy of each particle is detected by recording equipment at the LHC at CERN.

A series of images have been released by CERN predicting how the Higgs boson particle will appear to scientists as it decays a split second after it is created. The research progress continues, and the physicists at work estimate that they will be able to determine if the Higgs boson exists within 18 months. 

A third picture shows trails of bubbles left behind when particles smaller than atoms travel through liquid hydrogen, taking a variety of curved paths due to the strong magnetic field around them.

Particle physicist and CERN spokesperson Christine Sutton said: “When two lead ions collide basic particles like pions – one of the basic particles that make up atoms – are expelled.

“Sub-atomic particles such as these include the basic building blocks of atoms and are common in the universe.

“So by studying these we can learn more about what the universe is made from and perhaps one day how it all began.”

Although the particle itself eludes them, experts continue to narrow down the areas in which it might be found, meaning a result may not be far off.

Researchers added that results from two of the collider’s detectors, called Atlas and CMS, might have indicated the first glimpse of the Higgs but it is too early to be sure.

Rolf-Dieter Heuer, director general at CERN told reporters: “I would say we can settle the question of the Higgs boson, the Shakespearean question ‘to be or not to be’ at the end of next year.”

China is booming, and its swelling economy is not the only mighty aspect of the country. Recently scientist came upon the largest ever fruiting body of a fungus yet recorded.

The outsized specimen- that is of the type F. ellipsoidea or as it’s also called, a bracket fungus- was discovered growing on the underside of a tree in China. Measuring up to 10m in length and 80cm in width, the giant piece of curiosity weighs half a tonne- impressive vital statistics that have taken scientists by surprise.

The fungus that previously held the record in the size stakes is a fungus growing in Kew Gardens in the UK. 

The battle to fight MS continues, and a major investigation to find a safe treatment for the condition is underway. The clinical trial, that will involve 150 European patients, will set out to determine if stem cells are the answer to busting the damaging effect MS has on the brain and spinal cord. Researchers are hoping that the investigation will lead to a breakthrough innovation that will help to slow down and even stop the advance of the condition. If the treatment proves successful, it might even reverse the damage MS causes. The research that forms the foundation of the soon to be carried out trial has been partly funded by the MS Society in the UK, and the trial is set to begin later this year.

A new discovery in the animal kingdom has been made. As suggested by scientists, a South American dolphin is the first mammal to detect prey by their electric fields. Initially, researchers believed that structures found on the dolphins’ head were sensory organs, but it has now been established that they have the ability to detect electric fields in water. The handy quality that is electroreception is widely known to be utilised by fish and amphibians, but so far, the only mammal displaying the same quality has been the platypus. As documented in Proceedings B, a journal published by the Royal Society, scientists believe that other cetaceans aside from the South American Dolphin may well possess the very same characteristic.

One of the most deeply rooted convictions in the field of pedagogy is that one should learn languages young or don’t bother at all. But the impression is no longer valid, since a new study has revealed that adults might be the true talents when it comes to learning languages.

At the forefront of the study, linguists at the University of Haifa, Israel, recently carried out an experiment in which groups of children at the age of 8 and 12, as well as a group adults, were presented with the challenge to learn a new language rule. It transpired that the adults came out on top on every level of the test- a fact that demonstrates that grown-ups display high chances for learning new languages implicitly. Hence, the myth is shattered that children rule when it comes to learning new languages, and the excuse that it’s too late to take up a new language once adulthood is reached is no longer valid.

The announcement that one of the UK’s leading tabloids, News of the World, is to close has rattled the publishing world. The shock decision was made by the management following allegations that the paper had hacked into murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s voicemail. The allegations were met with outrage, and saw Prime Minister David Cameron pressing for a public inquiry into press practices, as a well as a further inquiry into the police’s handling of the investigation.

The closure of the publication, which sells 2.6 million copies a week, will affect 200 editorial positions, although, News International claims, some employees will be offered alternative positions across the publisher’s different titles. The last issue of News of the World will be published on Sunday.

Many have argued that News International’s most recent gesture may not be completely unrelated to the organisation’s controversial bid for BSkyB. Critics of the move have asserted that it will only be a matter of time before The Sun replaces the News of the World as News International’s Sunday tabloid representative, rendering Rupert Murdoch’s latest strategy as a rebranding exercise in order to bury recent accusations of privacy breaching.

Chronic pain could be a thing of the past, thanks to a discovery that will help to numb the excruciating pain associated with sunburn. The brains behind the new pain-busting breakthrough is a team of scientists at Kings College in London, who identified the very molecule that triggers sunburn discomfort – namely a protein called CXCL5, which is categorised as a chemokine molecule.

To determine and prove the significance of CXCL5 in relation to inflammatory pain, the molecule was injected into healthy rats without exposing them to UV. The study showed that the rats’ pain threshold matched that of sunburn. An antibody with neutralising properties was used to reverse the sensitivity caused by the molecule. Significantly, the new discovery could potentially lead to a new breed of painkillers that may be used to bust pain related to chronic conditions such as arthritis.

A robotic worm with promising potential has been unleashed by engineers at the University of Leeds. Developed to aid search for survivors in rubble and collapsed buildings caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, the creature takes the shape of a real worm and measures two metres in length and 16 centimetres in width. The brainchild of engineer Jordan Boyle, the robo worm is constructed using 12 articulated segments, each with its own motor allowing it to wriggle at a range of different speeds.

In terms of the nifty specimen’s nervous system, it comprises a little over 300 neurons and a set of sensors set about movements that mimic the motions of a real worm. Considering the increase in natural disasters, the robo worm is a welcome invention indeed.

Traffic jam is not a problem confined solely to major motorways. Congestion problems occur in the skies as well, and since the European Commission believes that the personal aerial vehicle (PAV) will soon be over us like a rash, the problem is only set to increase. If the EC’s predictions that PAVs will be used on a greater scale for personal transportation will soon become reality, the issue of airborne traffic jam shouldn’t be taken lightly. To face the challenge, and combat the prospect of the skies being overrun by non-professional pilots hurriedly making their way to work, the EC has come up with a concept that fuses the best of ground-based and air-based transportation.

The research project, called MyCopter, is major and well funded with €4.3m in the pot. Key components of the scheme are to ensure that PAVs can automatically travel in the skies in orderly fashion, by sensing the other vehicles around them. Other important aspects that will help make the PAVs fully or partially autonomous without requiring ground-based air traffic control include functions such as control and simulation, flocking and the development of easily graspable user interfaces for pilots.

Generous deposits of rare earth minerals – the significant kind that is used in many hi-tech appliances – have been found on the seabed. The breakthrough discovery was made by Japanese scientists at the University of Tokyo, and it’s been estimated that as much as 100bn tons of the minerals may be present in the mud of the Pacific Ocean floor. The team of geologists located minerals in the sea mud at 78 different locations, and one square kilometre (0.4 square mile) of deposits would yield one-fifth of the current global annual consumption of rare earths.

The finding is significant indeed, and could potentially herald a shift in the market and challenge China’s dominance in the field – currently the country is produces as much as 97 percent of the world’s rare earth metals.

To quit smoking is no mean feat, and governments around the world have applied all sorts of strategies in order to inspire smokers to bin cigarettes for good- the smoke ban in pubs being one drastic measure. One of the latest initiatives to help would-be quitters in their quest is encouraging text messages. According to UK researchers, it’s believed that this approach could double the chance of someone successfully kicking the habit.

Of the 2,900 smokers taking part in the programme, about 10 percent had managed to quit after six months, thanks to receiving supportive text messages. The group that opted to take part were sent five texts a day for the first five weeks, followed by three texts a week for the next 26 weeks. To offer a sample message, one read as follows: “Quick result! Carbon monoxide has now left your body!”

Of the smokers taking part in the study, but without the help of text support, only 4.9 percent quit successfully. Hence, the study calls for texts to be included in programmes to help people give up cigarettes for good.