Phys.org news

Phys.org / Torsion balances set strongest direct limits yet on ultralight dark matter

Dark matter is believed to make up a large fraction of the matter in the universe, yet its true nature remains unknown. Most past experiments have focused on heavier dark matter candidates, while much lighter dark matter, ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / This nasal spray rewinds the aging brain, restoring memory and reversing inflammation in preclinical models

Picture this: your brain is a high-performance engine. Over decades, it doesn't just wear down, it also starts to run hot. Tiny "fires" of inflammation smolder deep within the brain's memory center, creating a persistent ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Ethiopia's Afar Rift provides glimpse into life and death 100,000 years ago

The study of ancient cultures around Ethiopia during the Middle Stone Age (MSA) time period is important for understanding how some of the first Homo sapiens lived and eventually left Africa. Unfortunately, there are not ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Bonobos' peaceful reputation cracks after a rival group attack leaves an infant dead

Bonobos are often described as gentle apes, generally calm primates that are seen as peacemakers in the animal kingdom. But this reputation may be coming under attack as a new study published in Scientific Reports reveals ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Copper blasted into a million-degree plasma strips away 22 electrons in a flash before atoms recover

When laser flashes hit matter, electrons are knocked off their orbits around the atomic nuclei. This can generate extremely hot plasmas composed of charged particles—ions and electrons. Researchers at HZDR have now observed ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Chandra explores interstellar medium of a bright low-mass X-ray binary

Using NASA's Chandra X-ray space telescope, astronomers have performed high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of a bright low-mass X-ray binary known as GX 340+0. Results of the observational campaign, published ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Droplet impacts reveal surprising physics in shear-thickening fluids

From ketchup to quicksand, non-Newtonian fluids have long fascinated and puzzled scientists. Unlike ordinary fluids, their flow properties change depending on how much force is applied, but the precise mechanics governing ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Super magma reservoirs discovered beneath Tuscany

How can magma buried 5, 10, or even 15 km underground be detected without any surface indicators? The answer lies in ambient noise tomography, a technique that analyzes natural ground vibrations with high precision. A team ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Contaminants, including ink, detected in meteorites suggest sample preparation needs improving

The IBeA group of the EHU-University of the Basque Country is proposing new measures to safeguard the purity of extraterrestrial samples. Several contaminants, including traces of ink, originating in the preparation of subsamples, ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Birds that put more energy into parenthood age faster and die younger, research shows

In a new study, appearing in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, scientists selectively bred Japanese quails into two groups: laying either relatively large or small eggs. As the quails don't do much ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / A tiny wall spider named for Pink Floyd is hunting urban pests up to six times its size

A team of researchers from institutions across South America have expanded scholarly knowledge of the Pikelinia spider genus, with their recent discovery of a new crevice weaver species: Pikelinia floydmuraria. The new species ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Saltwater is closing in on coastal groundwater, putting billions and food supplies at risk

Coastal groundwater is a key source of drinking water in many regions of the world. However, it is threatened by overabstraction and the potential for salinization. Rising sea levels are further exacerbating the situation. ...

Apr 14, 2026