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Phys.org / Antarctica sits above Earth's strongest 'gravity hole.' Now we know how it got that way

Gravity feels reliable—stable and consistent enough to count on. But reality is far stranger than our intuition. In truth, the strength of gravity varies over Earth's surface. And it is weakest beneath the frozen continent ...

Feb 16, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Plasma rotation simulations could help fusion reactors survive decades of use

Scientists have long seen a puzzling pattern in tokamaks, the doughnut-shaped machines that could one day reliably generate electricity from fusing atoms. When plasma particles escape the core of the magnetic fields that ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Specially engineered crystal reveals magnetism with quantum potential

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, working with international partners, have uncovered surprising behavior in a specially engineered crystal. Composed of tantalum, tungsten and selenium—elements ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Climbing behaviors of tree-dwelling mammals unlock insights on early primate evolution

Researchers have shed new light on the features that enable tree-dwelling mammals to move effectively through their environments, providing insights into the evolution of the distinct upright postures seen in primates. The ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Hidden insect diversity in grass shoots threatened by mowing

When it comes to biodiversity, researchers and the public tend to focus on large-scale patterns. This overlooks a hidden but precious diversity: small, inconspicuous wasps, midges, flies, beetles and other insects that live ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Tropical forests generate rainfall worth billions, study finds

Tropical forests help to generate vast amounts of rainfall each year, adding weight to arguments for protecting them as water and climate pressures increase, say researchers. A new study led by the University of Leeds has ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Beyond 'survival' of fittest: Evolution works in teams

Survival of the fittest. Nature red in tooth and claw. The common view of natural selection is based solely on the individual: A trait allows an organism to out-compete its rivals and is thus passed down to its offspring. ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Northern Europe's radiator: Volcanic eruptions in the past may have pushed ocean currents toward collapse

New research from the University of Copenhagen suggests that volcanic eruptions during the Ice Age may have triggered sudden climate change by disrupting the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), causing temperatures ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Colossal's techy new HQ helps Dallas startup be 'in your face' with de-extinction mission

An animatronic dire wolf looks around then tilts its head to greet you in the lobby. An animated megalodon shark circles its prey in a conference room made of floor-to-ceiling screens before striking and "breaking" the glass.

Feb 18, 2026 in Other Sciences
Medical Xpress / Menopausal hormone therapy not linked to increased risk of death, study shows

Menopausal hormone therapy (commonly known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is not associated with an increased risk of death, finds a Danish study of over 800,000 women published in The BMJ. The findings support current ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Phys.org / Satellite imagery and AI reveal development needs hidden by national data

For years, Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway have ranked near the top of the United Nations' annual index of countries based on indicators of well-being and quality of life. Countries with more poverty and less access to health ...

Feb 17, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Could the discovery of a tiny RNA molecule explain the origins of life?

One of the greatest mysteries of our planet is how a soup of lifeless chemicals transformed into the first living cell. There are several competing theories about where this happened, from frozen polar ice to superheated ...

Feb 13, 2026 in Biology