Phys.org news
Phys.org / Shift in key cosmic inflation measurement could be a statistical artifact
For the last few decades, researchers have been studying what the universe looked like in its first seconds. It is generally accepted that the universe expanded exponentially in the first fraction of a second after the Big ...
Phys.org / The 'private solution trap': Why richer countries may favor adaptation over public solutions, and who pays
A new study, led by the University of Nottingham and conducted by a team of 72 economists and psychologists across the world, has identified a potential "private solution trap" in problems requiring international cooperation ...
Phys.org / Quantum computers could have a fundamental limit after all
The performance of quantum computers could cap out after around 1,000 qubits, according to a new analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Through new calculations, Tim Palmer at the University ...
Phys.org / Superconducting quantum processor performs well with significantly less wiring
Quantum computers, computing systems that process information using quantum mechanical effects, could outperform classical computers on some computational tasks. These computers rely on qubits, the basic units of quantum ...
Phys.org / Self-cleaning fabric could eliminate the need for detergent
Detergents may begin their journey by cleaning our clothes, but they end up contaminating the environment, flowing into rivers, ponds, and oceans, where they severely disrupt aquatic animal life. Even after wastewater treatment, ...
Phys.org / How soil microbes may control the future of our planet
The soil beneath our feet is a huge carbon bank storing up to approximately three times more carbon than the entire atmosphere. That makes it a significant player in the future of our climate. If even a small fraction of ...
Phys.org / Moby Dick 'ship sinking' sperm whales caught headbutting on camera
New research from the University of St Andrews reports sperm whales headbutting one another. The behavior was captured on film and described scientifically for the first time, confirming accounts by 19th century mariners ...
Phys.org / Discovery of genetic switch could help turn rice into a perennial crop
Rice is a vital crop that feeds more than half of the world's population. In the wild, many rice species are perennials that live for several years, but the varieties we eat today are typically annuals that must be replanted ...
Phys.org / Urban blue tits use discarded cigarette butts to protect their nests, study suggests
Discarded litter not only makes our streets and neighborhoods look untidy, but it can also pose a significant risk to wildlife. However, in a surprising development, a study published in the journal Animal Behaviour reports ...
Phys.org / Hydrogen shell detected around Nova Persei 1901 may be a planetary nebula
Using NASA's SPHEREx space telescope, astronomers have observed remnants of the eruption of Nova Persei 1901. As a result, they detected a bipolar molecular hydrogen shell around this nova, which may be a large planetary ...
Phys.org / Did you hear the one about scientists telling jokes? Not many did, according to a study of humor at conferences
To engage audiences and help keep their attention, many public speakers sprinkle their speeches with a little humor. It's a useful tool, but something that scientists rarely use, according to a report into humor at science ...
Phys.org / Python scales host microstructures that block bacterial biofilms—revealing potential for antimicrobial materials
Materials inspired by nature, or biomimetic materials, are nothing new. Scientists have designed water-resistant materials inspired by lotus leaves and rose petals, unsinkable metals based on the air-trapping, buoyant abilities ...
