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Scientists discovered a quasicrystal, a rare form of matter, within trinitite, a mineral formed from the world's first nuclear bomb test in 1945. This quasicrystal, impossible to create under normal conditions, was formed due to the extreme heat and pressure of the explosion. The discovery, published in PNAS, is the oldest known human-made quasicrystal and could offer insights into nuclear forensics and help detect illicit nuclear tests, providing lasting evidence beyond decaying radioactive materials.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.