Phys.org news

Phys.org / Volunteers discover rare space weather events using their ears

Our planet rests inside a magnetic cocoon filled with plasma—but it's not always peaceful and quiet. Activity from the sun can send waves through this space, and some of those disturbances can even reach Earth, affecting ...

3 hours ago
Phys.org / Ocean bottom seismometers could improve earthquake warning times in Pacific Northwest

If there is a magnitude 8 or 9 megathrust earthquake off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, data from ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) could improve earthquake detection times calculated by the ShakeAlert system.

4 hours ago
Phys.org / The Colorado River disappeared from the geological record for 5 million years: Scientists now know where it went

Geologists have solved the mystery of the disappearance from the geological record, millions of years ago, of one of North America's most important waterways: the Colorado River. A paper published in Science shows that the ...

7 hours ago
Phys.org / AI-powered tool could speed treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria by pinpointing potent peptides

A newly designed AI-powered tool is effective in developing treatments to attack antibiotic-resistant bacteria by breaking down their outer defenses, according to new research from Houston Methodist. The study, published ...

4 hours ago
Phys.org / DNA cracks nutmeg's hidden past, revealing a South Moluccas origin and a prehuman journey north

A sprinkle of nutmeg powder on baked goodies or mashed potatoes can immediately lift the flavor with its warm and sweet aroma. Even though it is used globally, not much is known about the true origins of the nutmeg spice ...

7 hours ago
Phys.org / A student-led experiment sets new limits in the search for axions

In the era of precision cosmology, research often means big science: large observatories, highly complex instruments, international collaborations and substantial funding. Yet even in such an advanced field, progress is still ...

17 hours ago
Phys.org / Iron plus UV light turns alcohol into hydrogen with catalyst-like efficiency

Publishing in Communications Chemistry, researchers from Kyushu University have discovered a simple method of generating hydrogen gas by mixing methanol, sodium hydroxide, and iron ions, then irradiating the solution with ...

12 hours ago
Phys.org / Q&A: Will agentic AI replace human scientists?

An emerging type of artificial intelligence, known as "agentic" AI, seems to do everything that biomedical scientists do—and often, does it faster. This next-generation technology can interpret experimental data, report the ...

5 hours ago
Phys.org / Researchers directly observe muonic molecules critical to muon catalyzed fusion

Scientists have directly observed muonic molecules in resonance states for the first time, using a high-resolution X-ray detector, a new Science Advances study reports.

5 hours ago
Phys.org / Catching a scramblase in the act could pave the way to improved blood disorder and cancer treatments

Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have revealed the detailed workings of a cell membrane protein that has essential roles in all animals. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for blood coagulation disorders, ...

12 hours ago
Phys.org / Saving coral reefs will require ruthless selection over generations to beat future heat waves

Assisted evolution could help corals survive future heat waves, but careful trait choice and strong repeated selection will be needed for it to be effective. As global temperatures rise, marine heat waves are becoming more ...

6 hours ago
Phys.org / As modern crops turn 'lazy' underground, old sorghum may hold key to future food security

A greater focus on roots during plant breeding could ensure staple grain crops continue to feed the world as recycled nutrients substitute conventional fertilizers in the future, a University of Queensland study published ...

6 hours ago