Phys.org news

Phys.org / Online game uncovers why tiger stripes work best in sunshine and tall grass

Scientists have used an online game to discover the secrets of animal camouflage—such as why tigers have stripes. The study, by the universities of Exeter and Bristol, reveals that high-contrast markings like tiger stripes ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / After Rome: Genomic insights from southern Germany reveal the formation of Central European societies

Many of today's villages and towns in Central Europe trace their origins to settlements that emerged after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, often on former Roman territory or in the immediate vicinity of the Limes, ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Atomic-column imaging uncovers hidden magnetic structures in antiferromagnets

Antiferromagnetic materials, with antiparallel atomic spins and zero net magnetization, are fast and resistant to external magnetic interference, making them ideal for high-speed, high-density spintronic devices. However, ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Beer waste may become sunscreen ingredient after spent hops show promising UV protection

Research conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil revealed that hops (Humulus lupulus L.) industrial waste from the brewing industry is a viable option for sunscreen formulation production. The multidisciplinary ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Neolithic fur production: A 7,000-year-old pit with beaver remains discovered near Alsleben

In advance of the construction of the SuedOstLink high-voltage direct current transmission line, archaeological investigations were carried out in the Salzland district by the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / AI classifier flags bird flu genomes more likely to spread in mammals

A research team from the LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has developed a machine-learning classifier capable of analyzing the genomes of influenza A viruses (IAVs) to accurately predict their ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / No brain required: This is how the single-celled Stentor learns

Scientists have known for more than a century that a single-celled organism with no nerve cells—much less a brain—can behave in ways that resemble learning. But those observations only went so far. How the organism did that ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Observing exotic quasiparticle states in kagome superconductor CsV₃Sb₅

A research team led by Prof. Hao Ning of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Anhui University and the University of Science and Technology of China, has identified ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / How cells decide when to react could shape future treatments for cancer and fibrosis

Scientists have discovered how cells decide when to respond to physical forces, potentially opening new avenues for tackling diseases such as cancer and fibrosis.

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Microscopic sensors uncover how liquids turn glassy without structural change

A scientific discovery by researchers at Tel Aviv University's School of Chemistry offers a new perspective on a long-standing scientific mystery: how does a flowing liquid suddenly become a rigid, almost frozen material, ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Radioactive imaging reveals ants' secret food networks

Researchers at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) and the University of the Ryukyus have developed a new imaging method that makes it possible to see, in real time, how food is distributed and ...

Apr 29, 2026
Phys.org / Low-cost method could standardize microplastic extraction from soils worldwide

A new "gold standard" for soil analysis and microplastic extraction has been developed at the University of New England (UNE), unlocking vital capabilities to safeguard agricultural soils and protect human health. Led by ...

Apr 29, 2026