Phys.org news
Phys.org / Pleasant-sounding words are easier to remember, pseudoword experiment shows
Which words do we find beautiful? And do beautifully sounding words stick better in memory? A new study led by linguist Theresa Matzinger from the University of Vienna suggests that the phonemic composition of words influences ...
Phys.org / Young mountain lions face barriers from roads and development across California
Previous research set off alarm bells by showing that mountain lion populations across California are more different genetically than normal for a wide-roaming predator. New findings published in Frontiers in Ecology and ...
Phys.org / Increasing plant diversity in agricultural grasslands boosts yields, reducing reliance on fertilizer
Higher plant diversity in agricultural grasslands increases yields with lower inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. That is the headline finding of a landmark, international study led by Trinity College Dublin that paints a promising ...
Phys.org / Bat study shows motherhood comes with a cost, but not for all
Is it better to have children early or later in life, and does parenthood accelerate aging? Researchers at University College Dublin and the University of Bristol have tackled these questions by studying an exceptional population ...
Phys.org / AI chatbots can effectively sway voters—in either direction
A short interaction with a chatbot can meaningfully shift a voter's opinion about a presidential candidate or proposed policy in either direction, new Cornell University research finds.
Phys.org / E-waste recycling in Ghana exposes workers to toxic pollution and health risks
A University of Michigan study has found that people in Ghana and across the Global South who recycle electronic waste face a difficult paradox: earning livelihoods to ensure survival comes at the cost of severe long-term ...
Phys.org / Alternative to BPA passes toxicity and sustainability standards set by EU innovation guidelines
Polyester and a host of other plastic products could potentially be manufactured with non-toxic and sustainable BPA alternatives identified in a multidisciplinary study published in Nature Sustainability by researchers in ...
Phys.org / Research reveals atypical Santas can succeed
A naturally fluffy white beard, a round belly and a jolly laugh might seem like the keys to being a successful Santa Claus, but new research suggests that a calling to play the man with the bag full of toys is enough to help ...
Phys.org / Waste management in spider mites reveals evolutionary insights into arthropod social behavior
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have discovered the adaptive significance of the remarkable waste-management behavior in the social spider mite Stigmaeopsis longus, a tiny herbivorous arthropod that lives in cooperative ...
Phys.org / Why the Amazon's ability to make its own rain matters more than ever
Dr. Magali Nehemy stood on the banks of the Tapajós River in the Amazon rainforest when the community's chief—a man in his seventies who had lived there his whole life—looked out over the bare shoreline and shook his ...
Phys.org / Cleaner rayon fiber production cuts solvent use by up to 70%
A UBC research team has developed a cleaner way to produce rayon, a popular fabric used in clothing for more than a century. The process could significantly reduce chemical use and improve sustainability in textile manufacturing.
Phys.org / New statistical tools sharpen the search for causal DNA changes in livestock
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new suite of statistical methods that dramatically improves the ability to pinpoint DNA changes responsible for important traits in livestock. The work addresses ...
