The mysterious substance that binds galaxies together could naturally be “in tune” with a hidden fifth dimension, according to a new University of Sheffield theory aiming to shed light on one of science’s biggest enigmas: dark matter.

Dark matter has been explored by scientists and science fiction writers for decades, inspiring everything from planet-destroying vortexes in “Star Trek” to the “dust” that sustains the multiverse in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” fantasy trilogy.

Yet it remains one of the greatest open problems in physics. While scientists are certain it exists because of its immense gravitational effect—acting as an invisible “cosmic glue” holding galaxies together—it has never been observed, and its true nature remains a mystery.