A recent study proposes that microscopic wormholes could be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Using Euclidean quantum gravity, researchers estimate that approximately ten billion wormholes could form per cubic centimeter every second, potentially providing the energy needed to explain the universe's expansion rate.

Current observations indicate that the universe is expanding at an increasing rate, which challenges Einstein's general theory of relativity when only known particles and radiation are considered.

While dark energy has been the prevailing explanation for this expansion, its true nature remains elusive.

The authors of the study suggest that dark energy may vary over time, aligning with recent observations of changing expansion rates.

Published in Physical Review D, the study introduces the concept of subatomic-sized wormholes as a potential candidate for dark energy.

These wormholes are theorized to be constantly generated from the vacuum of space due to quantum effects, akin to particle formation near black holes.

If validated, these wormholes could offer significant insights into quantum gravity, a major objective in theoretical physics.

The research team is in the early stages of developing a model to calculate wormhole formation rates and plans to publish their findings soon.

However, the validity of the wormhole model remains untestable until it is supported by experimental data, which may be achievable with future space experiments.

Over the years, various theories have been proposed to explain dark energy, including its potential existence in black holes or the possibility that it does not exist at all.