A configuration of five point charges in Euclidean space demonstrates that the electrostatic potential can have at least 24 non-degenerate critical points. This finding disproves Maxwell's conjecture, which states that the field of \(n\) point charges can have at most \((n-1)^2\) non-degenerate critical points.

Researchers at Emory University have used a machine learning technique to uncover unexpected features of non-reciprocal forces in many-body systems. The study combines a neural network with laboratory measurements from a dusty plasma, enhancing understanding of the fourth state of matter.