CERN fails to replicate faster-than-light neutrino results

Growing body of evidence suggests shock neutrino speeds were wrong

Physicists at CERN have confirmed that experiments that apparently showed particles travelling faster than the speed of light look increasingly suspect after new experiments failed to replicate the results.

The science world was rocked to its foundation last year, when the European science centre claimed to have sent neutrinos to a laboratory in Italy faster than light speed.

Einstein's special theory of relativity - the cornerstone of modern physics - states nothing can travel faster than the speed of light.

Now a repeat of the experiments has suggested the Einstein was right all along.

Scientists at CERN repeated the neutrino flight experiment between its labs and those at Gran Sasso labs Italy and this time the neutrinos did not exceed the speed of light.

"The evidence is beginning to point towards the OPERA result being an artefact of the measurement," said CERN research director Sergio Bertolucci.

Last month, CERN admitted that it looked as if the faster-than-light results were down to faulty wiring in the timing systems.

A final experiment is set to take place in May to confirm the new results.

"Whatever the result, the Opera experiment has behaved with perfect scientific integrity in opening their measurement to broad scrutiny, and inviting independent measurements. This is how science works," added Bertolucci.