Phys.org news

Phys.org / People act more helpfully in poor environments than rich ones, research reveals

People are more likely to act helpfully in situations where there are poorer choices to give to others, according to a new study that tested willingness to help others in different contexts.

Feb 9, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Muon Knight shift reveals the behavior of superconducting electron pairs

Quantum materials and superconductors are difficult enough to understand on their own. Unconventional superconductors, which cannot be explained within the framework of standard theory, take the enigma to an entirely new ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Seeing the whole from a part: Revealing hidden turbulent structures from limited observations and equations

The irregular, swirling motion of fluids we call turbulence can be found everywhere, from stirring in a teacup to currents in the planetary atmosphere. This phenomenon is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations—a set of ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Ultra-clean MXenes deliver 160-fold higher conductivity

An international team of researchers has developed a breakthrough method for producing MXenes—an important family of two-dimensional materials—with unprecedented purity and control. The new "gas–liquid–solid" process ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Eco-friendly catalyst switches oxygen source based on particle size, study finds

As the climate crisis becomes a part of daily life with unprecedented heat waves and cold snaps, technology to effectively remove greenhouse gases is emerging as a critical global challenge. In particular, catalytic technology ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Wireless sensor assesses subsoil health in effort to cut costs and refine farming

A new smart platform invented by Purdue University researchers to wirelessly monitor subsoil health could change the landscape of agricultural sensing systems. The invention addresses a critical need in agriculture nationwide: ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Bioengineers build branched, perfusable kidney collecting ducts using 3D bioprinting

The human kidney filters about a cup of blood every minute, removing waste, excess fluid, and toxins from it, while also regulating blood pressure, balancing important electrolytes, activating Vitamin D, and helping the body ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Mitochondrial superoxide signal helps preserve the nuclear envelope and delay aging, study finds

The nuclear envelope (NE) is a dynamic and selective barrier that organizes genome function and nucleocytoplasmic communication, and its structural deterioration is a hallmark of aging associated with diverse human diseases. ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Why does rough grinding make stainless steel more prone to corrosion?

Stainless steel is widely known for its impressive corrosion resistance, but it is not invincible. When exposed to environments containing chloride ions, such as seawater, the risk of corrosion increases. To achieve the sleek, ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Deep-sea microbes get unexpected energy boost from marine snow, researchers discover

For many years, the deep ocean has been seen as a nutrient-poor environment where microbes living in the water survive on very limited resources. But new research from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) challenges that ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / A quick stretch switches this polymer's capacity to transport heat

Most materials have an inherent capacity to handle heat. Plastic, for instance, is typically a poor thermal conductor, whereas materials like marble move heat more efficiently. If you were to place one hand on a marble countertop ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Bee bandits: How a yeast influences nectar-robbing behavior in bumble bees

From fundamental biological units as tiny as genes to complex societies, ecological systems rely on cooperation. All manner of organisms can benefit from working together to survive in a dog-eat-dog world. "Mutualism is a ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology