Phys.org news

Phys.org / Gravity from positivity: Single massive spin-3/2 particle makes gravity logically inevitable, study claims

Researchers at IPhT (CEA, CNRS) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona have shown that gravity—and with it, supersymmetry—emerge as logical necessities whenever a massive spin-3/2 particle exists in nature. Two principles ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Spectacular fossil treasure trove pushes back origins of complex animals

A newly discovered fossil site in southwest China has transformed our understanding of how complex animal life emerged on Earth, revealing that many key animal groups had already evolved before the start of the Cambrian Period. ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Cosmologists collaborate to sharpen measurements of the Hubble constant

Drawing together leading experts from across the field, an international collaboration of cosmologists has created a unified approach for measuring the value of the Hubble constant. Published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Current connection: Scientists detail how shifts in the Atlantic Ocean impacted the Alaskan climate 13,000 years ago

Some newly published findings from an Idaho State University professor and his colleagues point out how changes to currents an ocean away can impact climates on the other side of the globe. The new paper published in Nature ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Ghostly particles: Dark radiation may have masqueraded as neutrinos

New research suggests that neutrinos in the early universe may have transformed into a previously unknown form of radiation. A study from Washington University in St. Louis offers a new way to explain certain puzzling observations ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / How mitochondria organize our 'second genome'

EPFL scientists have discovered that a simple shape change in mitochondria helps cells evenly distribute their mitochondrial DNA, solving a long-standing puzzle.

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Quantum entanglement between electrons and ions captured at attosecond timescale

Quantum mechanics is extremely successful at describing the behavior of matter at the atomic level. This success forces one to accept that certain aspects of physical reality go far beyond our intuition. Among these, none ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Smartphone rapid test detects microbiologically contaminated water in less than a minute

Worldwide, billions of people rely on water sources whose hygienic quality is unclear or difficult to monitor. Conventional microbiological analysis methods take up to 24 hours, are costly, and require specialized laboratories ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Early data from Vera C. Rubin Observatory reveals over 11,000 new asteroids

Using preliminary data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, scientists have discovered over 11,000 new asteroids. The data were confirmed by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center (MPC), making this the ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Underground lab clears crucial hurdle for dark matter hunt

Australia's bid to detect elusive dark matter has taken a major step forward, with new research confirming that cosmic radiation levels deep inside the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL) are low enough to support ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / One-atom substitution successfully tunes molecular heat transport for the first time

Control of heat transport in nanostructures is of central importance for numerous modern technologies—from high-performance computer chips that need to be cooled to energy converters—and is a highly active area of research. ...

Apr 2, 2026
Phys.org / Giant 'forbidden planet' orbiting small star shows an unusually low-metal atmosphere

Scientists have discovered that a highly unusual giant planet—sometimes called "forbidden"—could have an atmosphere with fewer heavier elements than its host star. University of Birmingham astrophysicist Dr. Anjali Piette ...

Apr 2, 2026