Phys.org news

Phys.org / Theia and Earth were neighbors, new research suggests

About 4.5 billion years ago, the most momentous event in the history of Earth occurred: a huge celestial body called Theia collided with the young Earth. How the collision unfolded and what exactly happened afterward has ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Bright squeezed vacuum reveals hidden quantum effects in strong-field physics

In a new study published in Nature Physics, researchers have demonstrated that quantum light, particularly bright squeezed vacuum (BSV), can drive strong-field photoemission at metal needle tips.

Nov 20, 2025 in Physics
Phys.org / Moss spores survive 9 months outside International Space Station

Mosses thrive in the most extreme environments on Earth, from the peaks of the Himalayas to the sands of Death Valley, the Antarctic tundra to the lava fields of active volcanoes. Inspired by moss's resilience, researchers ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Climate change is now warming the deepest parts of the Arctic Ocean

While it is well known that climate change is heating the world's oceans, it was thought that the deep sea was safe from its effects—until now. Researchers have discovered that a rapidly warming part of the Atlantic is ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / The Suez Rift—once deemed inactive—is still drifting, study reveals

The tectonic plates under Africa and Asia are slowly drifting apart, as the Gulf of Suez that separates these two land masses continues to widen at a rate of about 0.26–0.55 millimeters per year.

Nov 20, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / New scalable single-spin qubits could simplify future processors

Quantum computers, which operate leveraging effects rooted in quantum mechanics, have the potential of tackling some computational and optimization tasks that cannot be solved by classical computers. Instead of bits (i.e., ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Physics
Phys.org / Dusty star-forming galaxy at high redshift discovered

An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a new dusty star-forming galaxy at high redshift. The newfound galaxy, designated AC-2168, was detected using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / LHAASO conducts all-sky search for exploding primordial black holes

Primordial black holes (PBHs) are black holes theorized to have formed shortly after the Big Bang. Compared to black holes emerging from collapsing stars, PBHs could have very different masses, ranging from very small to ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Richest Iron Age burial assemblage in Southern Levant discovered at Horvat Tevet

A recent study by Dr. Omer Peleg and his colleagues examined the unique 7th-century BCE (Iron IIC) cremation burial assemblage discovered at Horvat Tevet. The assemblage is the richest and most diverse burial assemblage found ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / The Batman effect: The mere sight of the 'superhero' can make us more altruistic

If "Batman" appears on the scene, we immediately become more altruistic: in fact, research conducted by psychologists from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, shows that the sudden appearance of something unexpected—Batman—disrupts ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Seeing the hidden microbial world beneath our feet—from the sky

A new study by Dr. Angela Harris from The University of Manchester and Professor Richard Bardgett from Lancaster University has revealed that scientists can now detect the hidden world of microbes living in the soil—from ...

Nov 20, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / A new type of lion roar could help protect the iconic big cats

A new study has found African lions produce not one, but two distinct types of roars—a discovery set to transform wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.

Nov 20, 2025 in Biology