Higgs-like particle found in ‘milestone’ for mankind | Agence France-Presse

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Proton-proton collisions as measured by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern) in its search for the Higgs boson particle. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

July 4, 2012 (Agence France-Presse) -- After a quest spanning nearly half a century, physicists on Wednesday said they had found a new sub-atomic particle consistent with the elusive Higgs boson which is believed to confer mass.

Rousing cheers and a standing ovation erupted at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) after scientists presented astonishing new data in their search for the mysterious particle.

Many hailed it as a moment in history, and white-haired veterans of the quest shed tears of joy.

The new find is “consistent with (the) long-sought Higgs boson,” CERN declared in a statement.

“We have reached a milestone in our understanding of nature,” said CERN Director General Rolf Heuer.