Phys.org news

Phys.org / AI-guided electron microscope provides unique glimpse into the world of MXenes

The use of artificial intelligence has enabled researchers at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) to gain a greater understanding of two-dimensional (2D) materials that can be useful for energy storage, water purification, ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / No great equalizer: Young laborers were hit hardest by early modern plague

A multidisciplinary archaeological team has examined plague burials from a 17th-century monastery turned hospital in Basel, Switzerland, shedding light on how social status impacted plague mortality in Early Modern Europe. ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Cosmic dust identified as the source of Venus' enigmatic lower haze

Venus, often called Earth's twin, is in fact a planet of extremes. Beneath its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere are crushing surface temperatures and dense clouds of sulfuric acid. While the planet's main cloud layer sits ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Four weeks of 'safe' low-level PFAS exposure in tap water altered embryo development in mice

An Adelaide University study has revealed that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in tap water, at levels currently considered safe, affected the development of embryos, causing irreversible damage that may ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Whales go quiet during noisy underwater surveys

A new study has shown that whale calls are reduced by as much as 50% in response to seismic surveys, which are commonly used to find oil and gas reserves. Researchers are worried that such surveys could impact vulnerable ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Island songbirds may have their own music and culture

Whether it is the climate, beaches, or simply being away from the hustle and bustle, island cultures around the world often do things differently to the mainland. It turns out this phenomenon isn't unique to humans.

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Parasites get trapped inside host cells when MIC11 is removed, exposing a crucial escape mechanism

Parasites are a major global health problem, underlying many human diseases worldwide. For example, Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for malaria, plays a well-established role; however, its complex life cycle ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / A 'blob' in a tank is helping scientists tease out the secrets of turbulence

In a tank on the bottom floor of a University of Chicago research laboratory, scientists summon "The Blob" into existence by firing water jets to create an artfully choreographed series of rings.

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / A built-in 'hairpin' mechanism in CRISPR-Cas13 prevents rogue RNAs

The CRISPR-Cas gene-editing system has long been the focus of research as a promising tool in genome editing. However, the emphasis has been on its underlying mechanisms and nucleases. In contrast, little research has examined ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Some lake bacteria survive by slashing half their genome and never looking back

Researchers at the University of Zurich have analyzed the genome of bacteria living in Lake Zurich to conclude that microbes employ two different strategies to colonize new habitats. Some acquire new traits, as expected—but ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Bats on a break: Tracking the secret life of pond bats

What do bats do at night when they're not hunting? Using tiny GPS trackers, Leiden researchers discovered that pond bats spend a substantial portion of the night resting—often outdoors. This surprising insight could change ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Self-interacting dark matter may solve three cosmic puzzles

A study led by UC Riverside physicist Hai-Bo Yu suggests that a new type of dark matter could explain three astrophysical puzzles across vastly different environments. Published in Physical Review Letters, the study proposes ...

Apr 13, 2026