Phys.org news

Phys.org / How adoption of a new crop reshaped land use in Bronze Age Europe

A new study published in Science Advances reveals how Bronze Age communities in Central Europe adapted to changing environmental and social conditions by adopting broomcorn millet, a fast-growing, climate-resilient crop.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Families' interest in their kids' education is falling around the globe as scores drop, test shows

Families' interest in their kids' education is falling in many high-income countries as school systems struggle with plunging test scores, according to newly released results from a standardized test taken by 15-year-olds ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Electrochemical system extracts pure hydrogen from ammonia at substantially lower temperatures

As a liquid that is easily stored and transported, ammonia (NH3) is an attractive carrier for hydrogen, which is used in fuel cells, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical processing and other applications. However, breaking ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / First Denisovan forearm bone discovered in southwest China

Scientists have discovered various Denisovan remains in Southwest China dating to the late Middle Pleistocene, including the first Denisovan radius—one of two long bones in the forearm.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Unconventional quantum materials could dramatically boost the search for dark matter

For decades, physicists have searched for dark matter, the invisible substance thought to make up roughly 85% of all matter in the universe. Although its gravitational influence shapes galaxies and the large-scale structure ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Forever chemicals break apart into fluoride under UV treatment, revealing a cleanup roadmap

UC Riverside environmental engineers have identified key chemical reactions that occur when ultraviolet light is used to destroy "forever chemical" pollutants in water, providing a roadmap for developing more effective cleanup ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Beryllium signal identifies stars that have swallowed rocky planets

An international team led by researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil has developed an innovative method to identify stars that have consumed the planets around them. The technique detects variations in ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Cacao genetics could help breeders reduce heavy metal levels in cocoa beans

Cadmium is a naturally occurring, toxic heavy metal found in many soils across Latin America and the Caribbean, where cacao trees are widely cultivated. It makes its way into cocoa seeds, called beans, that are roasted and ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / 3D magnetic-field control reveals new way to tune spin textures

(Fe0.63Ni0.3Pd0.07)3P, or FNPP, is a magnetic material that exhibits complex magnetic structures even at room temperature. This makes the material of interest for spintronics, a field that could enable data processing with ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Fossils from embryo to adult suggest how an enigmatic, bird-like troodontid dinosaur grew

Analysis of fossilized remains from dinosaurs known as troodontids reveals how one species' hip and leg bones may have developed over its lifespan, from embryo to adult—with potential implications for resolving longstanding ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Discontinuity and disorder: Explaining the luminosity bump in evolved stars

Toward the end of their lives, low-mass stars undergo an abrupt dip in brightness, also known as the luminosity bump. While the endpoint of this bump is well understood, its onset has remained elusive. Now, in a paper published ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / GPS collars reveal secrets of the power struggle between lions and hyenas in the wild

Hidden deep in the bush, ranging over huge territories at speeds humans can't match and through terrain not even the most rugged vehicle can handle, hyenas and lions are hard to study. Now, new research using GPS collars ...

Sep 9, 2026