In physics, M-theory is a unification of what were originally thought to be five distinct versions of superstring theory. The possibility of such a theory was first conjectured by Edward Witten (pictured) at a string theory conference at the University of Southern California in 1995, initiating a flurry of research activity known as the second superstring revolution. Work by several physicists showed that the original five theories could be related by transformations called S-duality and T-duality. Witten's conjecture drew on these dualities and on a field theory called eleven-dimensional supergravity. Some physicists believe that a complete formulation of M-theory could provide a framework for developing a unified theory of all the fundamental forces of nature. Current directions of research in the theory include matrix theory and gauge/gravity duality. According to Witten, the M in M-theory can stand for "magic", "mystery", or "membrane" according to taste, and the true meaning of the title should be decided when a more fundamental formulation of the theory is known.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-theory

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1633:

Galileo Galilei was forced to recant his heliocentric view of the Solar System by the Roman Inquisition, after which, as legend has it, he muttered under his breath, "And yet it moves". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_affair

1813:

War of 1812: After learning of American plans for a forthcoming surprise attack, Laura Secord set out on a 30 km (19 mi) journey from Queenston, Ontario, Upper Canada, on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord

1911:

George V and Mary of Teck were crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey in London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Teck

1969:

The surface of the Cuyahoga River in Ohio, US, caught on fire, helping to spur the environmental movement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyahoga_River

2002:

An earthquake measuring 6.5 Mw struck a region of northwestern Iran, killing at least 261 people and injuring 1,300 others, and eventually causing widespread public anger due to the slow official response. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Bou%27in-Zahra_earthquake

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

avocation: 1. A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit. 2. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/avocation

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The entire cosmos is made out of one and the same world-stuff, operated by the same energy as we ourselves. "Mind" and "matter" appears as two aspects of our unitary mind-bodies. There is no separate supernatural realm: all phenomena are part of one natural process of evolution. There is no basic cleavage between science and religion; they are both organs of evolving humanity.   --Julian Huxley https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Julian_Huxley