Phys.org news
Phys.org / Massive impact could be the cause of our lopsided moon
Our nearest neighbor, the moon, is still something of a mystery to us. For decades, scientists have wondered why it appears so lopsided, with dark volcanic plains on the near side (the side we see) and rugged, cratered mountains ...
Phys.org / Spaceflight causes astronauts' brains to shift, stretch and compress in microgravity
Spaceflight takes a physical toll on astronauts, causing muscles to atrophy, bones to thin and bodily fluids to shift. According to a new study published in the journal PNAS, we can now add another major change to that list. ...
Phys.org / Microbubbles can release microplastics into our water
Microbubbles in the tap water you just poured into a plastic glass are strong enough to create tiny abrasions on the inner layer of the plastic—quietly adding to our growing microplastic problem.
Phys.org / Glazed sherds in remote Gobi Desert reveal ancient Persian trade connections
In a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Dr. Ellery Frahm and his colleagues analyzed two unusual blue-green glazed ceramic sherds discovered in the Gobi Desert in 2016.
Phys.org / New massive hot subdwarf binary discovered
Astronomers report the discovery of a new binary system, designated LAMOST J065816.72+094343.1. The newfound binary consists of a massive and hot subdwarf and an unseen companion. The finding was detailed in the January issue ...
Phys.org / Hygienic conditions in Pompeii's early baths were poor, according to isotope analysis
The city of Pompeii was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have now reconstructed the city's water supply system based on carbonate deposits—particularly ...
Phys.org / Recovering tropical forests grow back nearly twice as fast with nitrogen
Young tropical forests play a crucial role in slowing climate change. Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, using photosynthesis to build it into their roots, trunks, and branches, where they can store carbon ...
Phys.org / A protein found in the GI tract can neutralize many bacteria
The mucosal surfaces that line the body are embedded with defensive molecules that help keep microbes from causing inflammation and infections. Among these molecules are lectins—proteins that recognize microbes and other ...
Phys.org / When 'no-effect' isn't safe: Safe chemicals turn toxic in combination across generations
Researchers at National Taiwan University reveal that combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and the preservative butylparaben, at a level considered safe on their own, can cause heritable harm, disrupting reproduction ...
Phys.org / Scientists demonstrate low-cost, high-quality lenses for super-resolution microscopy
Researchers have shown that consumer-grade 3D printers and low-cost materials can be used to produce multi-element optical components that enable super-resolution imaging, with each lens costing less than $1 to produce. The ...
Phys.org / A centuries-old debate on how reptiles keep evolving skin bones is finally settled
Our bones did not begin deep inside the body. They started in the skin, not long after the first complex animals took shape.
Phys.org / First standalone spin-wave chip operates without external magnets for future telecom
The Politecnico di Milano has created the first integrated and fully tunable device based on spin waves, opening up new possibilities for the telecommunications of the future, far beyond current 5G and 6G standards. The study, ...
