Phys.org news

Phys.org / Laser beam flips a ferromagnet's polarity without heating the material

Researchers at the University of Basel and the ETH in Zurich have succeeded in changing the polarity of a special ferromagnet using a laser beam. In the future, this method could be used to create adaptable electronic circuits ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / How a superionic state enables long-term water storage in Earth's interior

The cycling of water within Earth's interior regulates plate tectonics, volcanism, ocean volume, and climate stability, making it central to the planet's long-term evolution and habitability and a key scientific question. ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / NASA telescopes spot surprisingly mature cluster in the early universe

Astronomers at The University of Manchester have played a leading role in the discovery of a new cosmic object that is much larger than anything astronomers have seen before in the distant universe. This new discovery captures ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Probing the jet base of M87's supermassive black hole

Some galaxies eject powerful streams of charged particles—jets—from their centers into space. The prominent jet of Messier 87 (M87) in the constellation Virgo is visible over distances of 3,000 light-years and can be ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / New light-based platform sets the stage for future quantum supercomputers

A light has emerged at the end of the tunnel in the long pursuit of developing quantum computers, which are expected to radically reduce the time needed to perform some complex calculations from thousands of years down to ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Novel ferroelectric ultraviolet photodetector achieves near-10,000-fold speed increase

Researchers from the Institute of Metal Research (IMR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new ferroelectric ultraviolet photodetector material that overcomes the long-standing performance limitations of conventional ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Mineral dust accelerates Greenland ice sheet melt by promoting algae growth

Large-scale melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet is irreversible and happening at a rapid rate, and now a new international study is the first to understand why. A University of Waterloo scientist and a team of international ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Quantum batteries could quadruple qubit capacity while reducing energy infrastructure requirements

Scientists have unveiled a new approach to powering quantum computers using quantum batteries—a breakthrough that could make future computers faster, more reliable, and more energy efficient.

Jan 28, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

Google unveiled an artificial intelligence tool Wednesday that its scientists said would help unravel the mysteries of the human genome—and could one day lead to new treatments for diseases.

Jan 28, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Warming weakens natural enemies of insects, new research shows

A warming climate is disrupting the delicate balance of nature. An international team of scientists led by entomologists from the Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences has found that higher temperatures significantly ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / AI model forecasts severe thunderstorms 4 hours ahead with higher accuracy

In a critical advance for climate resilience, researchers from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed an AI model that can predict dangerous convective storms—including Black Rainstorms, ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Subtle rotations in ancient light: Decoding the universe's symmetry

A team of researchers studying the uncertainties associated with a phenomenon known as cosmic birefringence has developed a method to reduce uncertainties in its observational measurements, according to a new study published ...

Jan 28, 2026 in Astronomy & Space