Phys.org news
Phys.org / Antarctica sits above Earth's strongest 'gravity hole.' Now we know how it got that way
Gravity feels reliable—stable and consistent enough to count on. But reality is far stranger than our intuition. In truth, the strength of gravity varies over Earth's surface. And it is weakest beneath the frozen continent ...
Phys.org / Why some extracellular vesicles work better: A safer path for protein and gene delivery
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny membrane-bound particles released by cells to transport proteins and other molecules to neighboring cells. Because of this natural delivery ability, EVs have attracted growing interest ...
Phys.org / New species of ancient crocodile named in honor of Welsh school teacher
A new species of crocodylomorph dating to about 215 million years ago has been described from the U.K. It has been called Galahadosuchus jonesi in recognition of David Rhys Jones, a secondary school physics teacher from Ysgol ...
Phys.org / If alien signals have already reached Earth, why haven't we seen them?
For decades, scientists have searched the skies for signs of extraterrestrial technology. A study from EPFL asks a sharp question: if alien signals have already reached Earth without us noticing, what should we realistically ...
Phys.org / Does vegan-friendly haircare work? Early tests show shinier, easier-to-comb strands
To find new ways to shield hair from heat, sunlight and air pollution, researchers in Brazil are turning to vegan-friendly ingredients for shampoos and conditioners. Published in ACS Omega, early tests show that a fruit-algae ...
Phys.org / Physicists explain the exceptional energy-harvesting efficiency of perovskites
Despite being riddled with impurities and defects, solution-processed lead-halide perovskites are surprisingly efficient at converting solar energy into electricity. Their efficiency is approaching that of silicon-based solar ...
Phys.org / Slippery ions create a smoother path to blue energy
Osmotic energy, often called blue energy, is a promising way to generate sustainable electricity from the natural mixing of salt and fresh water. It exploits the voltage that arises when ions from saltwater pass through an ...
Phys.org / Large-scale cell screening uncovers molecular glues that trigger protein degradation
Cells constantly monitor and recycle their proteins through a tightly regulated waste-disposal system. Proteins that are no longer needed are tagged and broken down by specialized cellular machinery. Recent advances in drug ...
Phys.org / Study of 65,000 college students links 16 hours a week on social media to higher loneliness
More than half of college students are lonely—and those who use social media the most are particularly likely to feel isolated, a study of tens of thousands of 18 to 24-year-olds in the US shows. Just 16 hours a week—two ...
Phys.org / Strong correlations and superconductivity observed in a supermoiré lattice
Two or more graphene layers that are stacked with a small twist angle in relation to each other form a so-called moiré lattice. This characteristic pattern influences the movement of electrons inside materials, which can ...
Phys.org / Ancient cone-shaped vessels may have served as beeswax lamps during ritual processions, study finds
Chalcolithic cornets are conical ceramic vessels produced exclusively during the Chalcolithic period, recovered in abundance at some archaeological sites but absent at others. Their function has long been debated. However, ...
Phys.org / How a certain form of dark matter may lead to the generation of cosmological magnetic fields
Tiny highly uniform magnetic fields are known to pervade the universe, influencing various cosmological processes. To date, however, the physical mechanisms underpinning the generation of these fields remain poorly understood. ...