Phys.org news
Phys.org / When it comes to predicting people's preferences, it pays to consider 'the power of three'
In his 1927 paper, "A law of comparative judgment," the American psychologist L. L. Thurstone proposed that when people select one option among multiple alternatives, they are picking the one that has the highest value to ...
Phys.org / Traditional plastic forks shed harmful microplastics. Plastic created from sugar is an alternative
At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are transformed into forks and films that won't leave persistent microplastics in the environment.
Phys.org / DESI releases biggest 2D map of the universe
Hold on to your telescopes: The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys team has released the largest-ever 2D color map of the universe. The 5.6-trillion-pixel map contains nearly 4 billion celestial objects, primarily stars and galaxies. ...
Phys.org / Oak leaves harbor distinct microbial worlds on their opposite surfaces
A single leaf may look like a simple patch of green, but to the microscopic life that inhabits it, it is a vast landscape divided into different worlds.
Phys.org / DNA repair enzymes favor specific sequences, shaping mutation patterns in the human genome
When a wound does not heal properly, it leaves a scar. Similarly, mutations—which are permanent changes to genetic code—are often the result of damaged DNA that has not been properly repaired. Mutations can impede the function ...
Phys.org / Distant time crystals oscillate in unison, paving the way for spin networks
In January 2024, physicists at TU Dortmund University demonstrated a continuous time crystal in a semiconductor whose oscillations remained stable for hours. In a new study published in Nature Communications, Professor Alex ...
Dialog / Quantum heat circuits learn electronics' oldest trick: Sharing a power supply
Every electronic and optoelectronic device generates heat, and today that heat is managed almost entirely from the outside. Heatsinks, fans, cold plates and refrigerators are bulky exterior measures bolted onto a chip or ...
Phys.org / Engineered enzymes forge carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds with high selectivity
Researchers from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, including Dr. Zachary Birch-Price and professor Anthony Green, have developed a new family of engineered enzymes that can create several different types of chemical ...
Phys.org / Trapped gases in ancient rocks challenge global explanation for 2-billion-year-old carbon anomaly
Roughly 2.5–2 billion years ago, Earth's surface experienced the biggest chemical change in its history when oxygen became abundant in the atmosphere, eventually leading to the evolution of complex life forms such as plants ...
Phys.org / Photosynthetic microorganisms achieve long-lasting and renewable chemical production
Photosynthetic microorganisms can use light energy to convert carbon dioxide into useful compounds under mild, environmentally compatible conditions. However, many current photosynthetic production systems rely on cells growing ...
Phys.org / Water quality, not just scarcity, may shape future competition for a limited resource
Climate change is largely to blame for water scarcity. The low water levels in European rivers this summer speak volumes in that respect.
Phys.org / Discovery of 'slow' electrons in 2D material could lead to new memory device
Over the last decade, researchers have developed two-dimensional materials with fascinating quantum effects that could be harnessed for next-generation technologies.
