Phys.org news

Phys.org / This 2,200-year-old Roman wreck hid a repair story that rewrites how ancient ships survived long voyages

Ever since humans have embarked on sea voyages, they needed to ensure vessels were waterproof, resistant to salty seawater, and could withstand microorganisms or sea-dwellers like worms. Until the mid-20th century, however, ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / This battered Jurassic sea giant held on against the odds, and its fossil hints at an unexpected survival strategy

A fossil discovery in Mistelgau, Northern Bavaria, Germany, reveals that the last representatives of the giant ichthyosaurs of the genus Temnodontosaurus survived longer in the Southwest German Basin than previously thought. ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Natural-language AI helps chemists design molecules step by step

Designing molecules is one of chemistry's most complex challenges. From life-saving drugs to advanced materials, each compound requires a precise sequence of reactions. Planning these steps demands both technical knowledge ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Sombrero Galaxy's vast halo emerges in rare detail 30 million light-years away

Messier 104, nicknamed the Sombrero Galaxy, is a popular target for amateur observing and astronomical research. Its recognizable extended halo, as well as a faint stellar stream, are captured in exquisite detail in this ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / One-way phonon synchronization could survive noise and defects, theoretical physicists suggest

A novel approach for realizing the one-way quantum synchronization of phonons has been proposed by three theoretical physicists at RIKEN. Importantly, this method is remarkably resilient against practical challenges such ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Self-regulating process governs cosmic order inside star clusters

A team of astrophysicists from Nanjing University and University of Bonn have demonstrated that, rather than being random, the mass of new stars born inside a star cluster is actually governed by a defined process of self-regulation. ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Orbital dances unlock true masses of Orion's young stars

A star's mass determines its entire life story, from how it shines to how it dies. For young stars shrouded in dust, getting an accurate mass has long been difficult, but new radio measurements are beginning to change that. ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Chromosomes condense in three timed chemical waves during cell division, study shows

DNA does not float freely in the cell. Instead, it is wrapped around histone proteins to form structures called nucleosomes. These histones carry numerous chemical modifications that act as molecular signals, controlling ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Gravity's subtle effect on light could improve groundwater, volcano and carbon storage monitoring

A study by University of Wollongong (UOW) physicist Dr. Enbang Li has demonstrated that gravity can subtly influence the behavior of light, a breakthrough that could underpin future technologies for monitoring groundwater, ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Human-altered estuaries now drive stronger tides farther inland

A study led by Wageningen University & Research shows that human interventions have significantly changed tides in river estuaries over the past centuries. In many regions around the world, the difference between high and ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Re-engineered human cells boost gene-editing particle potency across multiple delivery systems

Gene editing has emerged as a powerful approach for targeting the genetic causes of disease, but getting the editing machinery into the right cells efficiently, safely, and at the scale needed for therapies remains one of ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Why delaying climate action now means higher seas by 2100

Imagine your favorite sunny beach. Anywhere will do. You look out and see the ocean stretching to the horizon. To a glaciologist, that view is not just water; it's melted ice. Our new study shows that the best case sea-level ...

Apr 24, 2026