Phys.org news

Phys.org / Half of America sits in democratic limbo—and that silent middle may decide what breaks next

If you were to ask democracy scholars what they consider the greatest threat to American democracy, you might assume it is voters who support undemocratic practices or policies. But the real answer may surprise you: These ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Cell membranes may store memories after electrical stimulation

The science of memories has been pursued and studied since the days of ancient Greece and Aristotle. Today, research conducted by Dima Bolmatov, assistant professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Texas Tech University, ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Deep-rooted grass stores significantly more carbon, says new study

Soil biologist Eric Slessarev has some advice for conservationists, landscapers, and farmers with fallow fields: Go touch deep-rooted grass. Or better yet, go plant some. Slessarev, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Crabs' iconic sideways walk evolved from common ancestor, study suggests

Researchers have provided new insights into the evolutionary origin of sideways walking in crabs. Their study, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, presents the largest comparative dataset on crab locomotion to ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Astronomers precisely date rare brown dwarf companion, offering new test for how these objects cool

Astronomers at the University of Hawaiʻi have precisely measured the age of a nearby sun-like star and its unusual companion, known as a brown dwarf, an object that falls between a planet and a star. The discovery offers ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / A few extra minutes of daily play can strengthen your bond with your dog in four weeks

Playing a little extra with your dog improves the emotional bond between owner and dog, according to a new study from Linköping University. However, training did not give the same results. The study is relevant for all dog ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / A laser inspired by black holes: Extreme physics recreated in the lab

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University have successfully recreated key features of black hole physics in a laboratory setting using an innovative optical system that mimics how black holes behave after violent cosmic events ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Birds and monkeys in the Amazon share information via 'internet of the forest'

You might go for a walk in the forest to disconnect from work and calm your nerves after a busy week. The chirping and calls of birds in the canopy above might be exactly what allows you to relax.

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Malaria rebound spurs AI-driven hunt for parasite genes linked to deadly cases

Despite decades of efforts to combat it, malaria remains a major global health threat. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2025 World Malaria Report, about 282 million cases and approximately 610,000 deaths ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Better-fed calves are more motivated to play, pioneering study shows

New research has revealed dairy calves that are fed less complete tasks faster and remember more in pursuit of milk, but miss out on play. Calves that were given more food were more inclined to play. The study, led by the ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Perovskite quantum dots crack two big barriers, staying stable in polar solvents and growing with atomic precision

Perovskite quantum dots are considered promising materials for LEDs, photocatalysis, and future quantum light sources. Researchers at LMU Munich have managed to master two major hurdles in working with these quantum dots: ...

Apr 21, 2026
Phys.org / Penguin muscle map reveals how waddles and underwater 'flight' both work

Penguins may look charmingly awkward on land, but new research shows their bodies are finely tuned for powerful, efficient movement both on land and underwater. A team of anatomists from Midwestern University, in collaboration ...

Apr 21, 2026