Phys.org news
Phys.org / Celebrity dolphin of Venice doesn't need special protection—except from humans
Bottlenose dolphins usually live in small to medium-sized groups in coastal and open-sea waters, but every once in a while, a dolphin might leave its pod behind, flock to coastal areas and approach human settlements. While ...
Phys.org / Urine tests confirm alcohol consumption in wild African chimpanzees
Aleksey Maro knows far more than he cares to know about the urination habits of chimpanzees. But if you want to measure the alcohol intake of chimps in a Ugandan rain forest, where a breathalyzer is impractical, collecting ...
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 ...
Phys.org / Why do female caribou have antlers? Arctic study points to nutrition
Biologists have long wondered why caribou are the only deer in the world in which females—like males—have antlers. A study of shed antlers collected from calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge provides ...
Phys.org / Quantum effect could power the next generation of battery-free devices
A new study has revealed how tiny imperfections and vibrations inside a promising quantum material could be used to control an unusual quantum effect, opening new possibilities for smaller, faster, and more efficient energy-harvesting ...
Phys.org / Surprise solar eruptions on sun's far side validate new forecasting method
A team of scientists from around the world has created the first system that can predict when and where extremely powerful solar storms, called superflares, are most likely to happen. These storms can disrupt power grids, ...
Phys.org / How AI can improve the quality of peer review
A new AI coach for scientists has been shown to significantly improve the quality of peer reviews, making them clearer and more helpful for authors. Peer review is essential to ensuring the integrity of scientific publications, ...
Phys.org / Physicists develop new method to measure universe's expansion rate
We have known for several decades that the universe is expanding. Scientists use multiple techniques to measure the present-day expansion rate of the universe, known as the Hubble constant. These methods are internally consistent ...
Phys.org / Nine-city study finds richer neighborhoods get more sidewalk shade
One of the best forms of heat relief is pretty simple: trees. In cities, as studies have documented, more tree cover lowers surface temperatures and heat-related health risks. However, as a new study led by MIT researchers ...
Phys.org / Why do microbes team up? A new model explains nutrient sharing in fluctuating environments
Depending on others for something you need may feel like a risky proposition—and perhaps a human one. It is actually a survival strategy found in the microbial world, and far more frequently than one might expect. Discovering ...
Phys.org / Thunderstorms conjure ghostly coronae in treetops, observed outdoors for the first time
For the first time, researchers have observed and measured weak electrical discharges, known as coronae, on trees during thunderstorms. A new study describes the near-invisible sparkles appearing similarly on branches of ...
Phys.org / Canada's Magdalen Islands' peatlands hold vital clues about ancient Atlantic hurricanes
Eastern Canada has seen a rise in the number of hurricane- and near-hurricane strength events battering its maritime areas, with particularly violent storms in 2003 (Hurricane Juan), 2019 (Dorian) and 2022 (Fiona). While ...
