Anna Demming

Anna Demming

Live Science Contributor

Anna Demming is a freelance science journalist and editor. She has a PhD from King’s College London in physics, specifically nanophotonics and how light interacts with the very small. She began her editorial career working for Nature Publishing Group in Tokyo in 2006. She has since worked as an editor for Physics World and New Scientist. Publications she has contributed to on a freelance basis include The Guardian, New Scientist, Chemistry World, and Physics World, among others. She loves all science generally, but particularly materials science and physics, such as quantum physics and condensed matter.

Articles by: Anna Demming

Artist's impression composed of a star with a disc around it (a Be "vampire" star; foreground) and its companion star that has been stripped of its outer parts (background).

'Vampire' stars that bleed their companions dry may have a hidden accomplice, new study reveals

By Anna Demming published

Scientists suspect that type-Be 'vampire' stars grow by preying on their smaller companions. New research suggests there may be an important third player in these systems.

An artist's impression of two black holes subject to each other's gravity.

Newly discovered black hole 'speed limit' hints at new laws of physics

By Anna Demming published

When supermassive black holes barrel toward collision, they can reach speeds of up to 1/10th the speed of light, new research suggests.

An illustration of a helium atom, with two protons and neutrons in its nucleus.

Scientists tried to solve the mystery of the helium nucleus — and ended up more confused than ever

By Anna Demming published

Helium is the simplest element in the periodic table with more than one particle in its nucleus, yet state of the art theory and experiments on it don't add up.

small round white tablets spilling out of a jar onto a pink background

Metformin cuts risk of long COVID by 40% in patients with obesity, trial suggests

By Anna Demming published

A new study shows metformin can diminish risk of developing long COVID by more than 40% in overweight and obese patients.

A Renaissance painting of the Medicis on horses going for a hunt. They are surrounded by people.

Medici family's famous hunting grounds may have killed them, report suggests

By Anna Demming published

At least one Medici was plagued by a deadly strain of malaria, analysis of organ tissue from the Medici family tomb reveals.

An illustration of all the solar system planets arranged in an arc around the sun

Scientists discover secret 'symmetries' that protect Earth from the chaos of space

By Anna Demming published

A new analysis of chaos in the solar system reveals how planetary collisions are avoided over billions of years.

two soccer players, one in a red jersey and white shorts and one in a white jersey and black shorts, pass each other on the pitch, having just collided. The player in white holds his head in one hand as if in pain

Even mild concussions can 'rewire' the brain, possibly causing long-term symptoms

By Anna Demming published

After a mild concussion, parts of the brain can become "hyperconnected," and this may contribute to patients' long-lasting symptoms.

A pocket watch shoots out diffracted light against a black background.

Scientists create 'slits in time' in mind-bending physics experiment

By Anna Demming published

Researchers replicated the classic double slit experiment using lasers, but their slits are in time not space.

photo shows a man outdoors at a protest in London holding a sign that reads "It's not about a 'virus,' it's about control."

Most methods for squashing conspiracy theories don't work, study finds. Here's what does.

By Anna Demming published

A systematic review of conspiracy theory interventions shows that most traditional approaches have little impact, but certain alternatives show promise.

a colorful brain scan shows axons (wires) in a network that winds through the brain

Your native language may shape the wiring of your brain

By Anna Demming published

The connections between different regions of the brain responsible for language processing depend on which language you grew up with.