Phys.org news
Phys.org / Personalized freedom can increase cooperation, trust and fairness
A new setup for social games suggests that when people are given the freedom to tailor their actions to different people in their networks, they become significantly more cooperative, trusting and fair.
Phys.org / AI rivals humans in political persuasion
New research reveals that people find AI-delivered political arguments convincing. This could help bridge political divides—or fuel polarization.
Phys.org / Harnessing algae for a greener way to create functional gold nanoparticles
Researchers from Japan have pioneered a novel, sustainable method for synthesizing functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using microalgae. The work is published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
Phys.org / Widely cited irrigation stat for food security found to lack solid evidence
A globally cited statistic about the role of irrigation for food security that has formed foundational evidence for policy-making and scientific research is used on a hearsay basis and is based on weak evidence, according ...
Phys.org / Cancerous tumors less common in rapidly-evolving animals, study finds
Species that evolved rapidly in body size—such as the greater kudu and bighorn sheep—have fewer cancerous tumors, but the same is not true for non-cancerous tumors, according to new research.
Phys.org / AlphaSync database keeps protein structure prediction resource up to date
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have created a database that provides updated predicted structures on a regular basis, ensuring scientists can work with the most current information.
Phys.org / Forever chemicals affect the genes of unhatched ducklings
The EU is considering introducing a blanket ban on the man-made chemicals called PFAS because of the risks they pose. Researchers have now found that these substances can even alter the genes of birds before they hatch.
Phys.org / 'Impossible' merger of two massive black holes explained
In 2023, astronomers detected a huge collision. Two unprecedentedly massive black holes had crashed an estimated 7 billion light-years away. The enormous masses and extreme spins of the black holes puzzled astronomers. Black ...
Phys.org / Could mass arise without the Higgs boson?
The geometry of space, where physical laws unfold, may also hold answers to some of the deepest questions in fundamental physics. The very structure of spacetime might underlie every interaction in nature.
Phys.org / New AI framework can uncover space physics equations in raw data
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly artificial neural networks, have proved to be highly promising tools for uncovering patterns in large amounts of data that would otherwise be difficult to detect. Over the ...
Phys.org / The time 'rondeau' crystal: Scientists observe a new form of temporal order
In a new study published in Nature Physics, researchers achieved the first experimental observation of a time rondeau crystal—a novel phase of matter where long-range temporal order coexists with short-time disorder.
Phys.org / Neanderthal DNA helps explain how faces form
Every human face is unique, allowing us to distinguish between individuals. We know little about how facial features are encoded in our DNA, but we may be able to learn more about how our faces develop by looking at our ancient ...
