This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/science-environment-16167648

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Analysis: Higgs result offers glimpse of the future Analysis: Higgs result offers glimpse of the future
(40 minutes later)
By Paul Rincon Science editor, BBC News website, GenevaBy Paul Rincon Science editor, BBC News website, Geneva
After weeks of speculation, the wait is over.After weeks of speculation, the wait is over.
While not definitive enough to claim a discovery, new results provide the best evidence yet for the existence of the elusive and coveted Higgs boson.While not definitive enough to claim a discovery, new results provide the best evidence yet for the existence of the elusive and coveted Higgs boson.
The heads of the two experiments that are searching for glimpses of the Higgs using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) gave their talks in the auditorium at Cern - the organisation that operates the collider.The heads of the two experiments that are searching for glimpses of the Higgs using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) gave their talks in the auditorium at Cern - the organisation that operates the collider.
Finding the Higgs would be a huge discovery - on a par, according to some, with the discovery of DNA more than 60 years ago. But others think it would be in a class of its own. It is the cornerstone of the current theory of particle physics - which explains how particles and forces interact.Finding the Higgs would be a huge discovery - on a par, according to some, with the discovery of DNA more than 60 years ago. But others think it would be in a class of its own. It is the cornerstone of the current theory of particle physics - which explains how particles and forces interact.
But it would also confirm that scientists have been on the right track to understanding what makes the Universe tick.But it would also confirm that scientists have been on the right track to understanding what makes the Universe tick.
Scientists have both narrowed the Higgs search range substantially and provide tantalising hints that something might - just might - be showing itself at the mass of 125 gigaelectronvolts (GeV).Scientists have both narrowed the Higgs search range substantially and provide tantalising hints that something might - just might - be showing itself at the mass of 125 gigaelectronvolts (GeV).
"The window for the Higgs gets smaller and smaller. Yet it is still alive," said Prof Rolf Heuer, director-general of Cern."The window for the Higgs gets smaller and smaller. Yet it is still alive," said Prof Rolf Heuer, director-general of Cern.
Summing up the talks, he added: "Be prudent - we have not found it yet."Summing up the talks, he added: "Be prudent - we have not found it yet."
No room for feelingsNo room for feelings
Prof Heuer has been extremely cautious and less upbeat than some about the result.Prof Heuer has been extremely cautious and less upbeat than some about the result.
Asked earlier what he felt in his bones, Prof Heuer said that what he felt was immaterial: "Physics is not about feelings, it is about science and logic," he said.Asked earlier what he felt in his bones, Prof Heuer said that what he felt was immaterial: "Physics is not about feelings, it is about science and logic," he said.
It is perhaps understandable. If he said anything else it would make Cern look as if it had jumped the gun if these hints diminished - as many signals have done in the past.It is perhaps understandable. If he said anything else it would make Cern look as if it had jumped the gun if these hints diminished - as many signals have done in the past.
The reasons for caution are also scientific. Five sigma is the level of statistical certainty required to claim a discovery. Three sigma can be counted as an observation. But, says Pippa Wells, a senior scientist on Atlas, "we are not even there yet".The reasons for caution are also scientific. Five sigma is the level of statistical certainty required to claim a discovery. Three sigma can be counted as an observation. But, says Pippa Wells, a senior scientist on Atlas, "we are not even there yet".
The certainty of what the scientists have seen is not much higher than throwing one die and getting two sixes in a row - around the two sigma level.The certainty of what the scientists have seen is not much higher than throwing one die and getting two sixes in a row - around the two sigma level.
But they are now analysing five times as much data as have been presented before. And the fact that both experiments see an "excess" or data spike at 125 gigaelectronvolts (GeV) is extremely tantalising.But they are now analysing five times as much data as have been presented before. And the fact that both experiments see an "excess" or data spike at 125 gigaelectronvolts (GeV) is extremely tantalising.
It might even suggest the elusive boson may finally be emerging from the mist.It might even suggest the elusive boson may finally be emerging from the mist.
Sandra Koitner, a scientist on Atlas, agreed that both agreement between the two experiments boosted the probability of this being a real effect. Sandra Koitner, a scientist on Atlas, agreed that the agreement between the two experiments boosted the probability of this being a real effect.
But she told BBC News: "He (Prof Heuer) is right to be cautious. But we are very excited to see some hints… we have been waiting years for this."But she told BBC News: "He (Prof Heuer) is right to be cautious. But we are very excited to see some hints… we have been waiting years for this."
Now they have to collect more data to strengthen the statistical certainty what they are seeing is real.Now they have to collect more data to strengthen the statistical certainty what they are seeing is real.
Pippa Wells explained that by next year the LHC will have as much as four times as much data as they currently have.Pippa Wells explained that by next year the LHC will have as much as four times as much data as they currently have.
That should close out the Higgs question once and for all.That should close out the Higgs question once and for all.