Phys.org news

Phys.org / Twisting atom-thin materials reveals new way to save computing energy

A recent study shows a new and potentially more energy-efficient way for information to be transmitted inside electronic systems, including computers and phones—without relying on electric currents or external magnetic fields.

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / 'Indian Niño' drove record heat in 2023 and 2024, new study finds

In 2023 and 2024, Earth's average global surface temperature spiked nearly 0.3 degrees Celsius above what was already expected from climate change. Each year was declared the hottest on record and coincided with deadly wildfires, ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / AI matches human teachers: Brief pre-lecture chat boosts students' brain synchrony and learning outcomes

Millions of students worldwide have long relied on self-paced learning through pre-recorded video lectures, a model that forms the backbone of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and large-scale online education. Since the ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Love hormone enters battle mode, exposing rivalry and group lines in Amazon study

The "love hormone" oxytocin (OT) plays a role not only in moments of intimacy but also in competitive situations. Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) have shown that OT levels increase when rivalry or clearly defined ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Portable sensor detects PFAS in water on-site, cutting need for costly lab tests

A new study has unveiled a new method to cost-effectively and practically test for "forever chemicals" in water, potentially revolutionizing environmental PFAS monitoring. Led by Griffith University, the novel PFAS detection ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Genetic 'bonus material' boosts gut bacterium's oxygen tolerance up to 1,000-fold

The bacterium Segatella copri is one of the most common inhabitants of the human gut. In their latest study, researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) have discovered that some strains of this bacterial ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Aircraft measurements reveal surprisingly strong Southern Ocean biological productivity

The biological productivity of the Southern Ocean in the summertime is substantially greater than many previous estimates have suggested, according to new airborne research by the U.S. National Science Foundation National ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / How higher temperatures can benefit (or devastate) bumble bee populations

New research finds that higher temperatures can actually benefit some bumble bee species—particularly those that make subterranean nests. However, periods of extreme heat appear to offset those benefits, and may contribute ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Cool beans, smart roots: Special cell helps seedlings survive drought battered and nutrient poor soils

Researchers have identified a previously unknown cell type hidden on the roots of common beans, a microscopic survival mechanism that could inform the development of more climate-resilient crops and reduce fertilizer dependence.

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / On the ground or in the atmosphere? Swarm satellites help characterize and pinpoint destructive events

When solar storms strike Earth, they can disrupt power grids, rail systems, satellites, and even marine life. These effects arise because solar wind and geomagnetic activity disturb the magnetosphere–ionosphere system, generating ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Cold-triggered ion channel in bacteria may point to broader temperature-sensing mechanism

All lifeforms need to continuously adapt to temperature changes to survive. Now, Weill Cornell Medicine investigators studying a bacterial protein have identified a new mechanism of sensing cold temperatures. The finding ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / 'Not just hot water': Marine heat waves can create toxic relationship between seagrasses and microbes

Heat stress from marine heat waves can create a toxic relationship between seagrasses and a hidden ecosystem of bacteria, transforming a previously beneficial co-existence between marine plants and microbes into a harmful ...

May 6, 2026