Phys.org news

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 ...

22 hours ago
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 / 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
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 / 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
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 / Saturday Citations: Greenland sharks; quantum weirdness; people are mostly pretty chill

This week, researchers reported that GLP-1 medications may influence the biology of aging. Hidden meltwater in deep Antarctic coastal waters has a strong climate impact. And a novel prostate cancer treatment reduced risk ...

Jun 6, 2026
Phys.org / Remote work is taking its toll on the mental health of American workers, researchers find

Working from home comes with some major pluses. It's more flexible, there's no more pesky commute, work-life balance improves, and you can even stay in your pajamas all day if you want. But according to a major study of more ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / 'The Heaven Sword' crowned as East Asia's tallest tree after a nearly decade-long search

Taiwan, historically known as Formosa, holds a secret deep within its rugged interior: it is one of the rare locations on Earth capable of supporting "giant" trees—specimens that tower over 80 meters in height. Since 2014, ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / Hagfish fossils reveal stepwise eye simplification before near-total vision loss

Many animals, including humans, rely on their eyes to detect changes in their surroundings. The eyes of vertebrates, animals with a backbone or a similar supporting structure, contain a transparent structure (i.e., the lens) ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / Did this star eat its planets? A new study offers clues on 'chemical paradox' of a binary system

Astronomers have investigated a puzzling binary star system in which two stars that may have formed together now show dramatically different chemical compositions. The new study, uploaded to the arXiv preprint server on May ...

Jun 5, 2026
Phys.org / Hidden meltwater found deep in Antarctic coastal waters reveals stronger climate impacts

Freshwater from melting Antarctic glaciers may be influencing the Southern Ocean in ways scientists have largely overlooked. New research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, has found that glacial meltwater is not ...

Jun 5, 2026