New Research Suggests Gluons Contribute to Proton's Baryon Number

Findings from the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider indicate that gluons may play a significant role in carrying and conserving baryon number within protons. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that baryon number is solely attributed to the proton's three valence quarks. The research could fundamentally alter the understanding of matter's stability and the internal structure of protons.