Phys.org news

Phys.org / First quantum oscillations observed in gallium nitride holes

Gallium nitride, a semiconductor that can operate at high voltages, temperatures, and frequencies, has enabled technologies from LED lighting to high-power electronics. Now Cornell researchers have observed a quantum property ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / 'Space archaeology' reveals first dynamic history of a giant spiral galaxy

A team of astronomers led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian have for the first time used galactic archaeology, the study of detailed chemical fingerprints in deep space, to trace the history of a galaxy ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Wildflower folk remedy shows modern potential for tackling antibiotic resistance

Scientists have proven that a wildflower steeped in folklore for its medicinal powers has genuine healing qualities—and the potential to help combat antibiotic resistance. Tormentil, a yellow wildflower found in heath and ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Electric current stabilizes spins at unstable points for new types of computing

A research team has discovered a new way to control tiny magnetic properties inside materials using electric current, which could possibly pave the way for new types of computing technologies. The work is based on spintronics, ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Astrophysicists resolve 'negative superhump' conundrum of deep-space binary star systems

New UNLV-led research is helping to unravel clues to a cosmic mystery that has eluded scientists for decades. Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are binary star systems in which primary stars—incredibly dense and compact white ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Study reshapes understanding of interaction between organelles in animal cells

Findings from a new University of Cincinnati study have reshaped the fundamental understanding of how a certain cell organelle prepares its environment for cellular digestion. The study, led by UC's Jiajie Diao, Ph.D. and ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / An end to the battle between touchscreens and long fingernails is on the horizon

Anybody who has tried to use a smartphone or tablet with long nails knows that there's a learning curve. Rather than effortlessly tapping with a fingertip, you must awkwardly lay the pads of your fingers onto the screen. ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / A sudden surge in luminosity: Stacked dyes hint at brighter organic semiconductors

In nature, a certain size is often a prerequisite for biomolecules to perform their specific functions. For example, for proteins or DNA to fulfill their vital tasks, they must be folded in a precise manner—and this requires ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Shorebird science and conservation collective shows big data can protect birds

New research from the Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), published in the journal Conservation Biology, provides a model for big data ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Drought spurs rise in antibiotic-resistant soil microbes

A new Caltech study indicates that drought increases the abundances of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in soils, which directly correlates with an increase in antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals. In other words, ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Stealth superstorms reveal lightning on Jupiter: Beyond the superbolt

Jupiter's lightning has long been of interest to planetary scientists, as it marks stormy spots where researchers can look to learn more about convection in Jupiter's atmosphere. Observing lightning from a distance can be ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Chaos as a matter of direction: Researchers build layered material where order and disorder coexist

Some materials behave unexpectedly. They crack differently than expected, or react in ways that are hard to explain. The answer often lies in their atomic structure. Is it neatly arranged, as in a crystal, or disordered, ...

Mar 23, 2026