Phys.org news

Phys.org / The 'private solution trap': Why richer countries may favor adaptation over public solutions, and who pays

A new study, led by the University of Nottingham and conducted by a team of 72 economists and psychologists across the world, has identified a potential "private solution trap" in problems requiring international cooperation ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / An end to the battle between touchscreens and long fingernails is on the horizon

Anybody who has tried to use a smartphone or tablet with long nails knows that there's a learning curve. Rather than effortlessly tapping with a fingertip, you must awkwardly lay the pads of your fingers onto the screen. ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Study reshapes understanding of interaction between organelles in animal cells

Findings from a new University of Cincinnati study have reshaped the fundamental understanding of how a certain cell organelle prepares its environment for cellular digestion. The study, led by UC's Jiajie Diao, Ph.D. and ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Astrophysicists resolve 'negative superhump' conundrum of deep-space binary star systems

New UNLV-led research is helping to unravel clues to a cosmic mystery that has eluded scientists for decades. Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are binary star systems in which primary stars—incredibly dense and compact white dwarfs—accumulate ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / A sudden surge in luminosity: Stacked dyes hint at brighter organic semiconductors

In nature, a certain size is often a prerequisite for biomolecules to perform their specific functions. For example, for proteins or DNA to fulfill their vital tasks, they must be folded in a precise manner—and this requires ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Shorebird science and conservation collective shows big data can protect birds

New research from the Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), published in the journal Conservation Biology, provides a model for big data ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Stealth superstorms reveal lightning on Jupiter: Beyond the superbolt

Jupiter's lightning has long been of interest to planetary scientists, as it marks stormy spots where researchers can look to learn more about convection in Jupiter's atmosphere. Observing lightning from a distance can be ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Drought spurs rise in antibiotic-resistant soil microbes

A new Caltech study indicates that drought increases the abundances of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in soils, which directly correlates with an increase in antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals. In other words, ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Superconducting chip generates tunable terahertz waves for compact imaging

A tiny crystal chip which uses terahertz radiation to see clearly through a wide range of materials could find applications in health care, biological research, and security screening. Researchers from Scotland and Japan ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Chaos as a matter of direction: Researchers build layered material where order and disorder coexist

Some materials behave unexpectedly. They crack differently than expected, or react in ways that are hard to explain. The answer often lies in their atomic structure. Is it neatly arranged, as in a crystal, or disordered, ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / Neutrality can speed up and stabilize collective decisions, new study shows

Trying to persuade people to abandon deeply held views often backfires, leaving groups entrenched and unable to move forward. A new study by researchers at the University of Bath in the UK proposes a strategy that is both ...

Mar 23, 2026
Phys.org / A safer, nonflammable battery electrolyte exists, but self-assembly flaw is holding it back

Many important technologies, from handheld phones to medical devices and transportation vehicles, rely on rechargeable batteries. Modern top-of-the-line rechargeable batteries transport lithium ions between electrodes to ...

Mar 23, 2026