Phys.org news

Phys.org / How defects make permanent magnets even more efficient

Rare-earth magnets are essential for electric motors in vehicles, drones, and trains, forming the backbone of modern, environmentally friendly mobility. These are not simple blocks of metal, but carefully engineered materials ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Hafted stone tools in China suggest early hominins were more inventive than thought

A newly excavated archaeological site in central China is reshaping long-held assumptions about early hominin behavior in Eastern Asia. Led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an international team of researchers conducted ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Finnish birdwatchers' app data fuel world's most accurate model for predicting bird occurrence

New cutting-edge research, led by Academy Professor Otso Ovaskainen of the University of Jyväskylä and David Dunson at Duke University, combines citizen bird observations with artificial intelligence and the computing power ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Marine volcanic plateaus tied to at least 4 Triassic extinction events

Mass extinctions are extremely catastrophic events on Earth. Throughout Earth's evolutionary history, numerous mass extinctions have occurred, with five major mass extinctions being particularly representative. These extinctions ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Red flowers have a 'magic trait' to attract birds and keep bees away

For flowering plants, reproduction is a question of the birds and the bees. Attracting the right pollinator can be a matter of survival—and new research shows how flowers do it is more intriguing than anyone realized, and ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Study shows the hominid population of Sima de los Huesos had a varied diet

Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH) have led a study, recently published in the Journal of Human Evolution, on the diet of individuals at the Sima de los Huesos site (Sierra ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / 'Goldilocks size' rhodium clusters advance reusable heterogeneous catalysts for hydroformylation

Recent research has demonstrated that a rhodium (Rh) cluster of an optimal, intermediate size—neither too small nor too large—exhibits the highest catalytic activity in hydroformylation reactions. Similar to the concept ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Streaks on Mercury show that it is not a 'dead planet'

Although Mercury was geologically active in its early days, today its surface appears almost completely static. This is why it is often perceived as a dead and dry planet. A new study led by Dr. Valentin Bickel from the Center ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Global health impacts of plastics systems set to double by 2040

The adverse health impacts associated with emissions across the full life cycle of plastics could double by 2040 unless immediate action is taken, new research suggests. The study identified health harms at every stage of ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / 'Spectral slimming' yields ultranarrow plasmons in single metal nanoparticles

Researchers have developed a new strategy to overcome a long-standing limitation in plasmonic loss by reshaping light–matter interactions through substrate engineering.

Jan 27, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Data-driven 3D chromosome model reveals structural and dynamic features of DNA

Chromosomes are masters of organization. These long strings of DNA fold down into an ensemble of compact structures that keep needed parts of the genome accessible while tucking away those that aren't used as often. Understanding ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Showing real climate wins and friendships helps people join collective climate efforts

What does it take to spur individuals to act as a group with a shared purpose on climate change? According to a new Stanford-led study, the key is to show them how collective actions on climate have made a difference and ...

Jan 27, 2026 in Earth