Phys.org news
Phys.org / Divers may think they protect reefs, but one unseen habit is taking a steady toll
Research at the University of Sydney has found that scuba-diving tourism—widely promoted as a sustainable way to experience coral reefs—is causing frequent and often hidden damage to fragile marine ecosystems.
Phys.org / Five-tea comparison reveals kombucha's biological properties depend on starting point
Over the past few years, kombucha has become one of the world's most popular fermented beverages. While most consumers focus primarily on its taste, scientists are increasingly analyzing its chemical composition and potential ...
Phys.org / How did we learn which plants are safe to eat? Food scientists explain
Have you ever eaten a green potato, or a bunch of rhubarb leaves? Hopefully not, because these two plant parts can be toxic to humans. While they may seem edible, they contain chemicals that can make you seriously ill.
Phys.org / How homing pigeons keep navigation simple when winging their way home together
When it comes to flocking together, homing pigeons use a simple strategy to find better ways home, according to a recent report. The study, published in the journal eLife, suggests that homing pigeons use simple route averaging ...
Phys.org / Researchers capture inception of hydrogen-uranium reaction for the first time
When hydrogen gas interacts with uranium metal, the combination creates a chemically reactive powder and a runaway reaction that is difficult to stop. The result can impact the safety and lifespan of technology critical for ...
Phys.org / Teaching thermodynamic laws to AI unlocks a polymer modeling challenge
For more than half a century, materials scientists have struggled with how to simulate the complexity of polymer materials. An individual chain can comprise tens of thousands of atoms, a melt or composite contains billions, ...
Phys.org / As wolves recover, golden jackals may still conquer most of Europe thanks to 'human shield'
Human activity may be enabling the expansion of golden jackals across Europe by reducing the suppressive effect of gray wolves, suggests research published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. This human-mediated interaction could ...
Phys.org / Trophic rewilding by large herbivores supports insect diversity, scientists find
Insects are declining across Europe. Czech scientists have determined this decline can be mitigated by returning large ungulates—horses, aurochs cattle, and wisents—to landscapes. This has been shown by a recent study by ...
Phys.org / Surface design transforms thermal management and enables frictionless systems
A research team led by Professor Steven Wang, Associate Vice President (Resources Planning) and Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Energy and Environment, has designed a revolutionary ...
Phys.org / Ancient dust points to retreat of West Antarctic Ice Sheet during last warm period
Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may have been far smaller during one of Earth's most recent warm periods, according to a new study that traced the origin of ancient dust preserved in Antarctic ...
Phys.org / Plastic upcycling method turns food packaging into faster-degrading materials
Scientists have discovered a way to convert widely used plastics into new materials with distinct properties that degrade more rapidly. Applying this new process to upcycle existing plastics—such as those used for food packaging ...
Phys.org / Discovery of furtivovirus advances understanding of giant virus evolution
In evolutionary biology, all life on Earth is theoretically part of a single phylogenetic tree, indicating common ancestry. This model suggests that every living organism can be traced back to a distant common ancestor. However, ...
