Renormalization group dynamics of higher-derivative gravity coupled to a massive scalar

The authors consider higher-derivative gravity coupled to a massive scalar field. They first obtain the one-loop counterterms and renormalization group equations (RGEs) for all the essential coupling constants and use them to investigate the ultraviolet behaviour of the theory. A few asymptotically free regimes for all essential coupling constants on the special solutions of the RGEs are found; in this way quantum gravity gives us the possibility of solving the problem of nongauge couplings by making them asymptotically free. They also discuss the possibility of using their results to the analysis of wormhole mechanisms to drive the cosmological constant to zero.