All News

Phys.org / Some rays flash decoy eyes while others never do, as evolution's hidden trade-off comes into focus

From butterflies to peacocks, bold circular "eyespots" are among nature's most eye-catching patterns. But why do they appear in some animals and not others? A new study of skates and rays finally provides an answer—and it ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Pressure-tuned quantum spin liquid-like behavior observed in material Y-kapellasite

A quantum spin liquid is a phase of matter in which the magnetic moments in a material do not align or freeze, even at temperatures close to absolute zero (i.e., at 0 K). The experimental realization of this highly dynamic ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Study shows a widely used antifungal drug works only when its target enzyme is active

Serious fungal infections are on the rise, and many hospital-acquired cases are becoming harder to treat as fungi become resistant to available medications. One of the most widely used therapies, caspofungin, combats Candida ...

Apr 23, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists discover how the Twelve Apostles were formed—and their real age

Scientists at the University of Melbourne have uncovered for the first time how Australia's iconic Twelve Apostles were formed, finding tectonic plate movements over millions of years lifted and tilted the giant structures ...

Apr 23, 2026
Tech Xplore / SmartDJ lets users reshape audio experiences with simple words

Penn Engineers have developed SmartDJ, an AI-powered editor that lets users modify immersive audio environments with simple instructions in everyday language, with potential applications in virtual reality, augmented reality, ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Common soil fungus could cut pesticide use while helping tomatoes grow stronger

Trichoderma species—a common fungus found in soils—have varying abilities to promote tomato plant growth and differentially affect the abundance of certain soil bacteria, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State.

Apr 23, 2026
Tech Xplore / A truly invisible device that does not disturb its surroundings and its metamaterial shell

Metamaterials are carefully engineered materials that possess desirable properties and can be used to manipulate electromagnetic, acoustic, or other types of waves in interesting ways. Some materials scientists and engineers ...

Apr 20, 2026
Phys.org / Catalysis App: Structured research data for developing sustainable catalysts

Catalysis—the reduction of activation energy in a chemical reaction by a catalyst—plays a key role in the chemical industry, as well as in the development of sustainable technologies essential for achieving a low-carbon economy. ...

Apr 25, 2026
Phys.org / Century of data shows global decline in fish growth

A new analysis has revealed a global decline in fish growth over the last century, with scientists warning that overfishing and environmental change are eroding the biological foundations of many fisheries. Helen Yan led ...

Apr 25, 2026
Phys.org / Archaeological mission in Oxyrhynchus has found Homer's 'Iliad' inside a Roman-era mummy

The Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission, run by the Institute of Ancient Near East Studies (IPOA) at the University of Barcelona and led by Maite Mascort and Esther Pons, has identified a papyrus containing a fragment of Homer's ...

Apr 20, 2026
Medical Xpress / Baby teeth and brain imaging reveal how early-life metal exposures shape brain development and behavior

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report that early-life exposure to common environmental metals may influence brain development and behavioral health more than a decade later. The study, published ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / First gap-free peanut genomes reveal genes behind bigger seeds and better oils

An international team of researchers has produced complete, gap-free genome sequences for six peanut varieties, providing a comprehensive blueprint for future peanut breeding and improvement strategies.

Apr 24, 2026