Phys.org news

Phys.org / Aerosols may warm or cool the climate depending on timing, new study finds

A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem challenges a long-held assumption in climate science by showing that aerosols—tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere—can either warm or cool the climate, depending on ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Rocket launches and reentries harm Earth's ozone layer

The space industry is surging. In coming years, nearly 10,000 spacecraft are slated to launch into low-Earth orbit for a variety of purposes, such as global surveillance, space tourism, and satellite "megaconstellations" ...

Jun 8, 2026
Dialog / A 170 km journey by a freshwater stingray challenges long-held conservation assumptions

Most sharks and rays inhabit the oceans, but a small proportion thrive in freshwater. Approximately 4% to 5% of all shark and ray species live in tropical and subtropical rivers around the world. Two main ecological strategies ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Chemists unlock first total synthesis of rare plant alkaloid tied to anticancer activity

Plants are undeniably one of nature's most promising sources of new medicines, with monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) being a great example. Some intricate compounds are built from multiple-linked chemical units that ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Brazilian breadbasket's aquifers are falling, and new satellite maps show where water stress is growing

A collaboration of scientists from NASA and Brazilian research institutions has produced a detailed picture of groundwater change across Brazil. The images reveal significant declines in some of the aquifers that are critical ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Peptide blocks DNA breaks tied to treatment-induced leukemia, offering new prevention route

Thanks to effective therapies, more and more people are now able to live with or after cancer in the long term. Consequently, the number of patients affected by the long-term effects of their treatment is also increasing. ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Van der Waals forces can play unexpected role in thin film properties

Researchers have demonstrated the ability to use van der Waals forces to tune the physical and electronic properties of ferroelectric thin films. The work opens the door to new techniques for engineering materials for use ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / NASA satellites reveal major ocean nutrient stress

A new study combining NASA satellite observations, ocean surveys and genetic testing of marine microorganisms found evidence that warming ocean waters may be limiting nutrient availability across much of the global ocean. ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Alien signal claims face stricter verification under updated disclosure rules

The IAA SETI Committee has updated rules for evaluating and revealing the detection of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Magnesium transporter discovery could improve rice nutrition and taste

Rice is a staple food for nearly half the global population and an important dietary source of magnesium, a mineral essential for human health, plant growth and energy metabolism. Although magnesium is known to influence ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Satellites reveal cities' 'urban pulse,' tracking neighborhood growth in near real time

For over a century, doctors have used electrocardiograms (EKGs) to render the invisible electrical activity of the human heart visible, using the pulse to diagnose disease before it becomes fatal. Now, scientists have invented ...

Jun 8, 2026
Phys.org / Researchers craft a new, simple recipe for highly entangled quantum states

Building useful quantum technologies—from sensors to computers—requires generating highly complex entangled states, in which the properties of particles are deeply intertwined. Producing such states has traditionally required ...

Jun 8, 2026