Phys.org news
Phys.org / Breaking connections helps ideas spread farther, says physics-based study
Sticking with the same people might feel safe and comfortable. But a new Northwestern University study suggests it can actually trap new ideas and behaviors inside tight echo chambers. By contrast, the research, published ...
Phys.org / Why stars spin down, or up, before they die
From birth to death, stars generally slow by 100 to 1,000 times their initial rotation rates; in other words, they "spin down." The sun's total angular momentum has declined as material is gradually blown off at the surface ...
Phys.org / Better volcano eruption predictions on Earth—and Venus—thanks to Mauna Loa study
When Mauna Loa erupted in 2022, the largest lava flow headed on a path headed directly toward Daniel K. Inouye State Highway 200, also known as Saddle Road, a critical route that carries many residents from their homes on ...
Phys.org / Specially designed material combines light and electricity to remove PFAS from water without harmful byproducts
Researchers at Clarkson University have reported a breakthrough in tackling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of widely used "forever chemicals" that are difficult to remove from water and have raised growing ...
Phys.org / Fragile no more, nickelates get an upgrade that changes how superconductivity endures
Discovered in 2019, the material known as nickelates has intrigued researchers for its potential to become a superconductor at elevated temperatures—a property that could significantly advance such fields as quantum science ...
Phys.org / Why dolphins swim so fast: The secrets of hidden whirlpools
Dolphins are famous for their speed and agility in the water, but what exactly allows them to swim so effectively? Scientists have been asking this question for years, hoping to learn how to optimize propulsion in fluids ...
Phys.org / DNA molecular computer combines memory and computing at scales below 2 nm
Until now, molecular-level DNA circuits have mainly been used for simple tasks, such as detecting the presence of cancer-related substances. However, these systems have faced a key limitation: once a reaction occurs, the ...
Phys.org / Light-based scans reveal how cells can be stable yet adaptable
Our cells adjust to ever-changing conditions while preserving internal states necessary for survival, but exactly how they achieve both adaptability and stability remains unclear. For the first time, researchers have used ...
Phys.org / Synchrotron safety monitoring sheds light on dark photons
A scientist from Tokyo Metropolitan University has proposed using safety monitoring at synchrotron facilities to study the properties of dark photons, hypothetical particles proposed to explain dark matter. Calculations show ...
Phys.org / Machine learning offers faster, more reliable analysis of Fermi surfaces in search of spintronic materials
The search for next-generation electronic materials often starts with studying the Fermi surface, which serves as a map of a material's electronic structure. Its shape varies with crystal structure, composition, and electronic ...
Phys.org / Time-evolving polymer recreates nature's signature twist
Science has long taken inspiration from the natural world, and few natural designs are as iconic as the helical shape that makes life possible. The best-known example of such a molecule is DNA, a double helix that carries ...
Phys.org / Location, location, location: How the Nile helped an ancient Sudanese city thrive for centuries
The ancient city of Napata, located in what is now Sudan, was a major urban and cultural center of Kush, an ancient empire in Nubia. University of Michigan archaeologists and earth scientists examined the land underlying ...
