Phys.org news

Phys.org / Ultra-fast light-shaping technology could be 'game-changer' for future imaging

Scientists have developed a new type of "virtual" metasurface—capable of controlling light in ways traditional lenses and optics can't—which they say is superior to the current approach, which relies on ultrathin engineered ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / What really controls water chemistry in nanoscale spaces

Water is the most studied molecule on Earth, yet a surprisingly basic question has gone unanswered for decades: When water is squeezed into gaps just a few molecules wide—as happens inside nanoscale pores, membranes and biological ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Why old nuclear-site concrete could become a tool for trapping strontium-90

Crushed concrete from legacy nuclear facilities could play a far greater role in safely managing radioactive land than previously understood. Research published in ACS ES&T Water and conducted by scientists from the University ...

Jun 25, 2026
Dialog / Miniature satellite tags reveal diving behavior of juvenile sea turtles

Until recently, researchers were unable to conduct satellite-tracking studies on juvenile turtles because of their small body sizes and immediate dispersal into the ocean, leaving this period of their lives enigmatic and ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Natural hallucinogens may have evolved as ecological tools, not chemical accidents

Natural hallucinogens, such as psilocybin, mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and related compounds, have generally received attention for their effects on human perception, emotion and cognition. Recently, interest ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Seven exotic quantum phases predicted in ultracold magnetic atoms, including topological superconductivity

Strongly interacting quantum particles are key to some of the most fascinating phenomena in modern physics—from magnetism and superconductivity to topological states. Yet the complexity of such systems makes many of their ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient stellar flyby may still be steering long-period comets today

The Gaia mission has allowed researchers to understand the motions of stars like never before, even revealing possible interactions between our solar system and nearby stars. Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Nathan ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient asteroid barrage may explain why early Earth had no stable continents

New research led by Curtin University and QUT (Queensland University of Technology) has revealed that repeated asteroid impacts may have been the dominant force shaping early Earth, delivering vast amounts of heat into the ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Inorganic nanoscale device behaves like a single neuron, opening doors for AI and retinal implants

McGill University researchers have developed a light-detecting nanoscale structure that mimics how a neuron processes information. The neuron-like behavior emerges from the materials themselves, reducing the energy demand ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists measure hidden quantum forces that could power a new generation of pharmaceutical drugs

It's one thing to design a pharmaceutical drug. It's another to know if and why it actually works; not on paper or in a computer model, but inside the chaotic world of living systems, where proteins twist into shape, atoms ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Artificial 'leaf' powers wireless biomedical device

Plants convert light into energy efficiently through photosynthesis—an ability that scientists and engineers still struggle to match with electronic devices. Recently, researchers have looked beyond traditional semiconductor ...

Jun 25, 2026
Phys.org / Warming may slow forest growth and cut carbon storage by 30%, model shows

Forests and land play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, but current models and forecasts don't incorporate a surprising ecological discovery: Despite more available carbon, climate change and warmer ...

Jun 25, 2026