Phys.org news
Phys.org / New study identifies sequence of critical thresholds for Antarctic ice basins
The Antarctic ice sheet does not behave as one single tipping element, but as a set of interacting basins with different critical thresholds. This is the finding of a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ...
Phys.org / From power grids to epidemics: Study shows how small patterns trigger systemic failures
Why do some systems collapse suddenly after what seems like a minor disturbance? A single transmission line failure can cascade into widespread blackouts. A delayed shipment can ripple through a global supply chain, emptying ...
Phys.org / A clearer future: Researchers unveil transparent, plastic-free wood
Researchers at the University of Osaka have developed a highly transparent material made entirely from natural wood without adding plastic and uncovered why some wood becomes clearer than others. Their study reveals that ...
Phys.org / Microscopic mirrors for future quantum networks: A new way to make high-performance optical resonators
Researchers in the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences have devised a new way to make some of the smallest, smoothest mirrors ever created for controlling ...
Phys.org / Rewriting our understanding of early hominin dispersal from Africa to Eurasia
What if Homo erectus (H. erectus), the direct ancestor of modern humans, arrived in China much earlier than we thought? Research published in Science Advances may rewrite our understanding of early human dispersal in that ...
Phys.org / Pekingese, Shih Tzu and Staffordshire bull terrier among 12 dog breeds at risk of serious breathing condition
Scientists have identified a further 12 dog breeds as being at risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome—a condition that can cause serious breathing problems—including the Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Boston terrier, ...
Phys.org / Exposing a hidden anchor for HIV replication
The tiny shell protecting the HIV virus resembles a slightly rounded ice cream cone, but there is nothing sweet about it. More than 40 million people worldwide live with AIDS because of this virus, and treatments must continually ...
Phys.org / Antarctic warming is altering atmospheric stability: New evidence from the 1950s to the present
A new study published in the Journal of Climate reveals how surface warming in Antarctica, particularly over the Antarctic Peninsula, is significantly altering the stability of the lowest layers of the atmosphere.
Phys.org / Solving a longstanding mystery about complex life's origin—oxygen-tolerant Asgard archaea may explain eukaryotes' rise
The most widely accepted scientific explanation for the arrival of all complex life on Earth has had an unsolved mystery at its heart. According to the theory, all plants, animals and fungi, known collectively as eukaryotes, ...
Phys.org / Simplifying quantum simulations—symmetry can cut computational effort by several orders of magnitude
Quantum computer research is advancing at a rapid pace. Today's devices, however, still have significant limitations: For example, the length of a quantum computation is severely limited—that is, the number of possible ...
Phys.org / Feeling worse about money? Climate change may be part of the reason
Climate change is not just reshaping the planet, it's already affecting how people feel about their lives, their health and their financial security, according to a new study from the Universities of Portsmouth and Dundee. ...
Phys.org / Quantum-level effects in biology: Weak magnetic fields and isotopes can alter cell protein structures
A novel method to manipulate the inner structure of cells connects several scientific fields and could represent a significant step in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. ...