Physicists make most precise measurement ever of neutron’s lifetime

Physicists have measured the lifetime of the neutron more precisely than ever before. The average time it takes for the subatomic particle to decay is 877.75 seconds, according to an experiment that used magnetic fields to trap ultra-cold neutrons. The results have twice the precision of similar measurements, and are consistent with theoretical calculations. But they do not explain why neutrons live nearly 10 seconds longer in a different experiment that involves watching the particles decay as they move in a beam.

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The discrepancy might be explained by special relativity, according to which "clocks tick relatively more slowly" (time expands) for neutrons travelling in a beam.