Phys.org news

Phys.org / Primordial mini-moons may explain meteorite composition

A new Southwest Research Institute-led study proposes a solution to a longstanding puzzle in planetary science: What caused the concentration, assembly, and preservation of millimeter-sized, spherical mineral grains within ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Unraveling a long-standing solar mystery: The extreme thinness of the sun's tachocline layer

Researchers are closer to unraveling a longstanding solar mystery surrounding the extreme thinness of the sun's tachocline layer of strong shearing motion—a region believed to be critical for creating the violent eruptions ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Manganese risk in groundwater affects 200 million people, study shows

Manganese is an essential trace element. However, in excessive concentrations, the metal can cause health problems. Two Eawag researchers have now produced a global risk map for manganese in groundwater. Half of the world's ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / New probe could help trace Alzheimer's-linked lipids one cell at a time

Cells sitting side by side in the same tissues are not identical. Each cell carries its own subtly different chemical signature—a hidden individuality that can reveal how diseases take root and spread. Now, researchers from ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / The language of play: Hyenas use facial expressions and vocalizations to de-escalate

Scientists observed spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) playing in the wild and found that their precise, sophisticated communication is on par with that of many primate species. Hyenas play and romp with one another at all ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Breathable hydrogel keeps ECG signals steady through workouts and 10 days of wear

Hydrogels are squishy, biofriendly materials made mostly of water and a bit of polymer. The Jell-O-like substance is available in the form of medical patches, sprays and glues, and can be stuck to the skin or implanted in ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Indigenous peoples in the Amazon face massive cultural and ecological loss due to climate change

The Amazon region, Earth's most important ecosystem, is home to more than 400 Indigenous groups that use thousands of rainforest plant species. They pass on their knowledge of the flora primarily through oral tradition, usually ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Block-by-block AI maps uncover real urban air temperatures across 380 U.S. cities

Cities are often described as "heat islands," with media reports warning that some neighborhoods can be 20° F (7° C) hotter than others. But those temperatures are often based on satellite data rather than the conditions ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Ocean acidification may be shrinking the brains of the world's most intelligent invertebrates

An ongoing research project exploring the effects of rising levels of oceanic CO2 on squid neurology reveals that exposure to future levels of ocean acidification could shrink their brain volume by around 50%. This severe ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / California wolves feed heavily on cattle and their presence causes significant stress among livestock

Two new studies examining gray wolves in California paint a complex picture of life on the state's ranching landscapes: Wolves eat cattle more than anything else, and the presence of the predators causes significant stress ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Maize-fed animals may have helped Maya farmers solve corn's protein deficiency

Maize (corn) is a major dietary staple in Maya communities past and present because of its reliability, potential for surplus, and suitability as both food and fodder. It became so important to ancient Mesoamerican communities ...

Jul 8, 2026
Phys.org / Decoding of one of nature's largest enzymes reveals electron flow behind biological methane production

A research team at Marburg University has investigated one of the largest enzyme complexes found in nature to date and deciphered its remarkable structure. Under the supervision of Dr. Jan Schuller, Ph.D. student Sophia Paul ...

Jul 8, 2026