<ul><li>A nuclear fusion machine in southern France has maintained a plasma for more than 22 minutes, beating the previous world record.</li><li>Such machines are referred to as "artificial suns" and could lead to a renewable and powerful energy source.</li><li>The fusion reactor, WEST, achieved the world record and is being developed along with the EAST fusion machine by a global team of researchers.</li><li>The ultimate goal is to keep the plasma confined while reducing its harmful effects on the reactor.</li></ul>

New world record: French nuclear fusion machine has longest plasma

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