Phys.org news

Phys.org / Mount Etna eruptions reveal carbon dioxide and water can trigger separate explosive paths

The plumbing systems of volcanoes are vast and complex. But they aren't consistent, even in the same volcano. A Cornell-led collaboration found very different mechanisms behind two historic eruptions of Mount Etna in Italy. ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Medieval pandemic left a hidden legacy in Europe's oldest trees

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates how radiocarbon dating can reveal the maximum lifespan of Mediterranean hardwoods, uncovering hidden links between human history and ...

Jun 6, 2026
Dialog / Sweet basil carbon dots show potential for sustainable agriculture

What if a common herb found in the kitchen could help farmers grow healthier crops? As the global population grows and agriculture faces increasing environmental challenges, scientists are searching for innovative ways to ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / 120,000-year-old European fallow deer—tracing the loss of genetic diversity

European fallow deer have faced a dramatic loss of genetic diversity since the last interglacial period. This was revealed by 120,000-year-old fossils from central Germany's Neumark-Nord site in Saxony-Anhalt, analyzed by ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists identify the origin of noise in spin qubit quantum processors

A spin qubit, in which quantum information is encoded in the spin state of an electron, is one of the most promising platforms for quantum computing. Spin qubits exhibit long coherence times and are compatible with advanced ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Hair-size microrobots combine three cancer-fighting functions in preclinical animal tests

Imagine a future where cancer treatment affects only the tumor, where eye injections are no longer required and brain surgeries don't result in large incisions or long recovery times. That's the future researchers at Michigan ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Saturday Citations: Greenland sharks; quantum weirdness; people are mostly pretty chill

This week, researchers reported that GLP-1 medications may influence the biology of aging. Hidden meltwater in deep Antarctic coastal waters has a strong climate impact. And a novel prostate cancer treatment reduced risk ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Previously unknown detoxification pathway for chloromethane revealed

Chloromethane is a gas that is toxic to humans and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. It is produced during the combustion of coal, biomass and other raw materials. Natural sources such as algae, plants and ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Remote work is taking its toll on the mental health of American workers, researchers find

Working from home comes with some major pluses. It's more flexible, there's no more pesky commute, work-life balance improves, and you can even stay in your pajamas all day if you want. But according to a major study of more ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / 'The Heaven Sword' crowned as East Asia's tallest tree after a nearly decade-long search

Taiwan, historically known as Formosa, holds a secret deep within its rugged interior: it is one of the rare locations on Earth capable of supporting "giant" trees—specimens that tower over 80 meters in height. Since 2014, ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / Hagfish fossils reveal stepwise eye simplification before near-total vision loss

Many animals, including humans, rely on their eyes to detect changes in their surroundings. The eyes of vertebrates, animals with a backbone or a similar supporting structure, contain a transparent structure (i.e., the lens) ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / Hidden meltwater found deep in Antarctic coastal waters reveals stronger climate impacts

Freshwater from melting Antarctic glaciers may be influencing the Southern Ocean in ways scientists have largely overlooked. New research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, has found that glacial meltwater is not ...

Jun 5, 2026