Phys.org news

Phys.org / Hidden protein switch controls photosynthesis as light conditions change

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown regulatory mechanism in plant photosynthesis in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. It helps plants adapt to changes in light conditions. The results, published ...

20 hours ago
Phys.org / Predictive surrogates could cut quantum computing measurement overhead by more than 99.97%

Quantum computers, systems that process information leveraging quantum mechanical effects, have the potential of outperforming classical computers on some tasks. Despite their potential, the use of these systems remains very ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Medieval pandemic left a hidden legacy in Europe's oldest trees

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates how radiocarbon dating can reveal the maximum lifespan of Mediterranean hardwoods, uncovering hidden links between human history and ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Volcanic eruptions linked to rising famine risk across China's history

Large volcanic eruptions may have played a bigger role in triggering historical famines across China than previously understood, according to a new study that traced links between eruptions, climate disruption, and food shortages ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / MUSE maps spiral galaxy W2246f, uncovering old core and ongoing star formation across disk

Astronomers have employed the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to perform deep spectroscopic observations of a peculiar spiral galaxy known as W2246f. Results of the observational ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Mount Etna eruptions reveal carbon dioxide and water can trigger separate explosive paths

The plumbing systems of volcanoes are vast and complex. But they aren't consistent, even in the same volcano. A Cornell-led collaboration found very different mechanisms behind two historic eruptions of Mount Etna in Italy. ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / 120,000-year-old European fallow deer—tracing the loss of genetic diversity

European fallow deer have faced a dramatic loss of genetic diversity since the last interglacial period. This was revealed by 120,000-year-old fossils from central Germany's Neumark-Nord site in Saxony-Anhalt, analyzed by ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Infrastructure for African mines destroying forests at 34 times the rate of the mines themselves

Industrial-scale mining in Africa to support global supply chains is leading to unprecedented deforestation across the continent, with 34 hectares of forest removed for every single hectare of active mine site.

Jun 6, 2026
Dialog / Sweet basil carbon dots show potential for sustainable agriculture

What if a common herb found in the kitchen could help farmers grow healthier crops? As the global population grows and agriculture faces increasing environmental challenges, scientists are searching for innovative ways to ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Previously unknown detoxification pathway for chloromethane revealed

Chloromethane is a gas that is toxic to humans and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. It is produced during the combustion of coal, biomass and other raw materials. Natural sources such as algae, plants and ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists identify the origin of noise in spin qubit quantum processors

A spin qubit, in which quantum information is encoded in the spin state of an electron, is one of the most promising platforms for quantum computing. Spin qubits exhibit long coherence times and are compatible with advanced ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Hair-size microrobots combine three cancer-fighting functions in preclinical animal tests

Imagine a future where cancer treatment affects only the tumor, where eye injections are no longer required and brain surgeries don't result in large incisions or long recovery times. That's the future researchers at Michigan ...

Jun 6, 2026