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Krystal Kasal

Krystal Kasal

Author

Krystal is a freelance science and technical writer with a Master's degree in physics from Washington State University. She has been doing freelance work for the last five years, with experience in clinical research and writing educational physics content. She enjoys writing about science, nature, health, and anything a little bit out of the ordinary.

Articles by Krystal Kasal

Phys.org / Quantum computers must overcome major technical hurdles before tackling quantum chemistry problems

Although the potential applications of quantum computing are widespread, a new feasibility study suggests quantum computers still face major hurdles in solving quantum chemistry problems. The study, published in Physical ...

Mar 13, 2026
Medical Xpress / A single dose of psilocybin is more effective than nicotine patches for quitting smoking, study suggests

A new study, published in JAMA Network Open, reports the outcome of a clinical trial out of Johns Hopkins University assessing the effectiveness of psilocybin as a treatment for smokers attempting to quit. The trial compared ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Nocturnal ants use lunar compass and sophisticated calculations to travel at night

It's well known that many animals, including migratory birds, butterflies, and even fish, use the sun for navigational purposes. Nocturnal animals are dealt a more difficult hand, however, as the moon's path is far more variable. ...

Mar 11, 2026
Phys.org / New exoplanet survey method finds high rates of closely orbiting planets

Up until now, exoplanet surveys have mostly focused on nearby, bright stars that are sun-like or are red dwarfs, which are known to frequently host planets. While astronomers have discovered thousands of planets this way, ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Nearby red dwarf star hosts at least four planets—with one in the habitable zone

In 2020, a study confirmed that two planets orbited the nearby red dwarf, GJ 887. Now, astronomers have confirmed the existence of two additional planets orbiting GJ 887 in a new study published in Astronomy and Astrophysics. ...

Mar 9, 2026
Phys.org / Inland China experienced typhoon-related population decline 3,000 years ago, according to 'oracle bones,' AI and physics

Evidence suggests that China's "cradle of civilization" experienced marked climate disasters and social upheavals during the mid-late Holocene (around 3,000 years ago). However, the direct causes and impacts of these ancient ...

Mar 8, 2026
Medical Xpress / A safer, more effective atrial fibrillation treatment method using magnetic gel may be on the way

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart condition characterized by a rapid, irregular heartbeat stemming from the heart's upper chamber. It is a leading cause of stroke from clots that form in a small pouch of the heart called ...

Mar 5, 2026
Phys.org / Most compact quadruple star system yet fits within an area the size of Jupiter's orbit

Astronomers have reported observations of a rare star system consisting of one star orbiting a system of three more tightly bound stars. This quadruple star system is described in a new study, published in Nature Communications, ...

Mar 4, 2026
Phys.org / Study finds 77% of US national parks are highly vulnerable to climate change

National parks in the United States represent a treasure trove of natural, historical, and recreational landscapes, but their health is at risk. A comprehensive new study on the climate-change vulnerability of national parks, ...

Mar 3, 2026
Phys.org / NASA's MAVEN detects first evidence of lightning-like activity on Mars

While sifting through the extensive data collected by NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft over the last decade, scientists discovered a familiar type of electromagnetic signal commonly caused ...

Mar 2, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists synthesize stable N₄ radical anions under ambient conditions

A team of scientists from the University of Manchester and Oxford have synthesized stable nitrogen chain radical anions under ambient conditions. These molecules, which are normally too reactive to isolate and study under ...

Feb 28, 2026
Tech Xplore / HFC electrolyte delivers energy-dense lithium battery that keeps running at −50 °C

A research team in China has developed an electrolyte using monofluorinated hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) solvents capable of achieving energy densities higher than 700 Wh kg−1 at room temperature and about 400 Wh kg−1 at −50 °C, ...

Feb 27, 2026
Phys.org / Single-celled organism becomes multicellular via three different pathways

Some single-celled organisms are known to transition to multicellularity during their lifetimes, usually either by cloning themselves or when many similar cells come together to form a larger multicellular organism. A new ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Major gap in Earth's rock record likely due to tectonics—not glaciers

The Great Unconformity is a major gap in Earth's geologic record. The missing layer between Precambrian and Cambrian rocks represents a gap of around a billion years of history. Among much debate surrounding the cause of ...

Feb 24, 2026
Phys.org / CT scans of Inca child sacrifices reveal new details about capacocha rituals

The Incas were known to engage in a sacrificial ritual involving children to appease their gods. Archaeologists have found and analyzed the remains of these human sacrifices, although not all of them have undergone CT scanning, ...

Feb 23, 2026