Tale of two anomalies.

A recent improved determination of the fine structure constant, α=1/137.035999046(27), leads to a ~2.4σ negative discrepancy between the measured electron anomalous magnetic moment and the standard model prediction. That situation is to be compared with the muon anomalous magnetic moment where a positive ~3.7σ discrepancy has existed for some time. A single scalar solution to both anomalies is shown to be possible if the two-loop electron Barr-Zee diagrams dominate the scalar one-loop electron anomaly effect and the scalar couplings to the electron and two photons are relatively large. We also briefly discuss the implications of that scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]