Phys.org news

Phys.org / Tornado-forecast system can increase warning lead times, study finds

Researchers at the University of Kansas have shown the National Severe Storms Laboratory's Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) has potential to help weather forecasters issue warnings to emergency managers and the general public ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Ocean fronts revealed as key players in Earth's carbon cycle

Narrow bands of ocean covering just over one-third of the world's seas are responsible for absorbing nearly three-quarters of the carbon dioxide that oceans pull from the atmosphere, new research shows. The study, published ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Climate-risk scores guide major decisions, but underlying science is rarely open

When families decide where to buy a home, when cities approve new development, or when governments decide where to invest billions in resilience, they increasingly turn to climate-risk scores for guidance.

Jan 27, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Cuttlefish use polarized light to create a dramatic mating display invisible to humans

Many organisms leverage showy colors for attracting mates. Because color is a property of light (determined by its wavelength), it is easy for humans to see how these colors are used in animal courting rituals. Less obvious ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Highly stable Cu₄₅ superatom could transform carbon recycling

After years of trying, scientists have finally created a stable superatom of copper, a long-sought-after chemical breakthrough that could revolutionize how we deal with carbon emissions.

Jan 27, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Amazon Leo satellites exceed brightness limits, study finds

Seeing a satellite zip across the night sky can be a fascinating sight. However, what may be spectacular for people on the ground is becoming a major problem for astronomers. A new study published on the arXiv preprint server ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / The Great Mongolian Road: Japanese Imperial Army maps reveal first detailed documentation

In a study published in the Journal of Historical Geography, researchers Dr. Chris McCarthy and his colleagues have documented, for the first time, the Great Mongolian Road, a major yet understudied east-west caravan route ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / People are swayed by AI-generated videos even when they know they're fake, study shows

Generative deep learning models are artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can create texts, images, audio files, and videos for specific purposes, following instructions provided by human users. Over the past few years, ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / NASA's Juno measures thickness of Europa's ice shell

Data from NASA's Juno mission has provided new insights into the thickness and subsurface structure of the icy shell encasing Jupiter's moon Europa. Using the spacecraft's Microwave Radiometer (MWR), mission scientists determined ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Ancient Martian beach discovered, providing new clues to red planet's habitability

New findings from NASA's Perseverance rover have revealed evidence of wave-formed beaches and rocks altered by subsurface water in a Martian crater that once held a vast lake—considerably expanding the timeline for potential ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Novel nanomaterial uses oxidative stress to kill cancer cells

Scientists at Oregon State University have developed a new nanomaterial that triggers a pair of chemical reactions inside cancer cells, killing the cells via oxidative stress while leaving healthy tissues alone. The study ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Ochre used in ancient graves in Finland reflects identity of deceased

Roughly 5,500–6,000 years ago, the area including present-day Finland was inhabited by hunter-fisher-gatherers living in small village-like clusters. Traveling via waterways, these people established permanent fishing systems, ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Other Sciences