Scientists Reveal Dark Matter’s Familiar Behavior in Cosmic Study

Researchers from the Université de Genève have made significant strides in understanding dark matter, suggesting it behaves similarly to ordinary matter under gravitational influences. Their study, published in Nature Communications on November 16, 2025, indicates that dark matter may follow familiar physical laws, challenging assumptions about its unique properties.

Dark matter, which constitutes about five times more mass in the universe than ordinary matter, has long posed a mystery due to its invisibility and lack of direct detection. The study aimed to investigate whether dark matter is influenced by the same forces that govern visible matter, primarily focusing on its movement through gravitational wells formed by massive cosmic objects.

Examining Dark Matter’s Movement

The research team compared velocities of galaxies with the depths of gravitational wells, applying established principles from Einstein’s general relativity and Euler’s equations. They hypothesized that if dark matter does not experience an undiscovered fifth force, galaxies composed mainly of dark matter would behave similarly to ordinary matter, falling into these wells solely under the influence of gravity.

Camille Bonvin, an associate professor at UNIGE and co-author of the study, explained, “If dark matter is not subject to a fifth force, then galaxies will fall into these wells like ordinary matter.” This comparison allows researchers to test for the potential existence of a new interaction that could influence dark matter’s behavior.

Initial findings support the idea that dark matter operates within the parameters of known physics. The researchers concluded that dark matter behaves in line with Euler’s equations, suggesting it moves into gravitational wells much like ordinary matter.

Potential Fifth Force and Future Research

While the results are promising, the researchers caution that they have not entirely ruled out the possibility of a hidden fifth force acting on dark matter. According to Nastassia Grimm, the study’s lead author, “If such a fifth force exists, it cannot exceed 7% of the strength of gravity.” This limitation arises from the absence of detectable effects in their analyses.

The implications of these findings are profound, as they enhance the understanding of dark matter’s role in shaping the universe. The next phase of research will focus on identifying whether a subtle fifth force might indeed influence dark matter. Upcoming experiments, such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), are expected to detect forces as weak as 2% of gravity, potentially shedding more light on dark matter’s behavior.

Isaac Tutusaus, a researcher at ICE-CSIC and IEEC, emphasized the importance of this ongoing research: “These new data should allow us to learn even more about the behavior of dark matter.” As scientists continue to explore the cosmos, understanding dark matter remains a crucial part of unraveling the universe’s mysteries.