Phys.org news

Phys.org / Why doesn't coffee taste like caffeine?

Though decaf fans might disagree, caffeine is a critical component of a cup of joe. This compound is incredibly bitter on its own, but regular coffee itself is not. A team reporting in the Journal of Agricultural and Food ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / 'BBQ sauce' phase may link little red dots to quasars

Everyone knows that finding the right sauce recipe can make or break a barbecue, but now astronomers are using BBQSORS (pronounced "barbecue sauce") as part of the recipe to explain quasars, some of the brightest objects ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient cave lion genomes reveal a distinct lineage

A new study on multiple genomes from the extinct cave lion has discovered that it represented a highly distinct evolutionary lineage, which separated from modern lions more than a million years ago. The results also show ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Detailed molecular picture of tooth enamel reveals adaptations to diet

From chewing to chomping to grinding, teeth suffer from a lifetime of repeated mechanical stress. It makes sense, then, that enamel is one of the hardest natural materials.

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Printed manga may give the brain a storytelling advantage

A new study by researchers at the University of Tokyo explores whether reading manga on paper or on a tablet changes how the brain understands and remembers stories. Participants first read the opening half of a two-part ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Whiskey chemistry propels microscopic machines through liquid

Whisky-inspired chemicals could help power a new generation of microscopic machines, according to researchers who have discovered a way to make tiny particles "swim" through liquid using compounds linked to the production ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Thundering footsteps warn caterpillars of lethal ladybeetle attacks

Diminutive warty birch caterpillars (Falcaria bilineata), less than 1.5mm long, ardently defend their leaf tip homes from invading caterpillars by scraping and pounding the leaf to warn off potential invaders. But how might ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / A new capability to detect chemical weapons involves two existing methods

In the aftermath of suspected chemical attacks, investigators from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) step in to collect chemical, environmental, and biomedical samples. Thorough forensic laboratory ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / SWOT satellite gets clearer ocean data after fix for hidden underwater wave interference

Florida State University research published in Science Advances demonstrates a new framework for predicting the motion of kilometer-scale underwater waves that complicate satellite readings of the ocean.

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Water-wave tweezers steer tiny 'surfers' without touching them

Summer brings with it the sight of surfers moving seamlessly across wave crests, with ocean waters carrying them along coastlines. A team of scientists has now created a similar phenomenon—with small objects rather than surfers—that ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / Temperature gaps help sneeze clouds stay denser and travel farther, experiments show

When a person coughs or sneezes, they expel a cloud of microscopic particles capable of carrying viruses and bacteria that act as vectors for respiratory diseases such as flu, COVID-19 or tuberculosis. Understanding how these ...

Jun 3, 2026
Phys.org / New route to tailor-made diamond nanoparticles holds promise for quantum applications

Nanodiamonds are tiny diamond particles only a few nanometers in size. Because they are chemically highly stable and can host so-called color centers, optically active defects in the crystal lattice, they are considered promising ...

Jun 3, 2026