Phys.org news
Phys.org / Urban light pollution disrupts nighttime melatonin in wild nurse sharks
Artificial light from major coastal cities can disrupt the nighttime biology of sharks, according to new research that provides the first-ever measurements of melatonin—a hormone tied to biological rhythms—in wild sharks.
Phys.org / Under snowpacks, microbes drive a winter-to-spring nitrogen pulse, study finds
When snow blankets the landscape, it may seem like life slows down. But beneath the surface, an entire world of activity is unfolding.
Phys.org / Ancient American pronghorns were built for speed
The fastest land animal in North America is the American pronghorn, and previously, researchers thought it evolved its speed because of pressure from the now-extinct American cheetah. But recently, that theory has come under ...
Phys.org / Innate biases of newborn animals inspire adaptive decision-making model
Precocial animals, the ones that move autonomously within hours after hatching or birth, have many biases they are born with that help them survive, finds a new paper led by Queen Mary University of London, published in Proceedings ...
Phys.org / Are cats 'vegan' meat eaters? Why isotopic signatures of feline fur could trick us into thinking that way
Cats—unlike humans—are true carnivores: they must eat meat to survive because their bodies can't draw some essential nutrients from plants. By looking at tissues, researchers can get a good understanding of what foods ...
Phys.org / Cosmic radiation brought to light: Researchers measure ionization in dark cloud for the first time
Where starlight doesn't reach, new things are born: For the first time, an international research team has directly measured the effect of cosmic radiation in a cold molecular cloud. The observation shows how charged high-energy ...
Phys.org / AI systems could identify math anxiety from student inputs and change feedback
Math anxiety is a significant challenge for students worldwide. While personalized support is widely recognized as the most effective way to address it, many teachers struggle to deliver this level of support at scale within ...
Phys.org / Modeling finds old-growth wildfire risk highest where low-severity fires once burned
A new analysis shows that the Pacific Northwest's mature and old-growth forests are most at risk of severe wildfire in areas that historically burned frequently at lower severity. The study by scientists at Oregon State University ...
Phys.org / New mineral sunscreen reduces white cast by using tetrapod-shaped zinc oxide
UCLA researchers have developed a mineral sunscreen formulation that significantly reduces the white, chalky cast that keeps many people from wearing sun protection daily. For decades, dermatologists have urged people to ...
Phys.org / New framework maps seven pillars for judging research trustworthiness
A new paper proposes a systems-level framework for evaluating the trustworthiness of research findings across methods and approaches. The paper, titled "A Framework for Assessing the Trustworthiness of Research Findings," ...
Phys.org / Maps offer neighborhood-level insight into American migration
California's most devastating wildfire—the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures—forced nearly half of all residents living within designated fire perimeters to relocate within a year.
Phys.org / We ate space mushrooms and survived to tell the tale
The mushrooms spread out on the chopping board seemed normal enough. They were rich and dense, and had a strong earthy aroma. In the saucepan, they melted—along with the cheese—to form a creamy pasta sauce.
