Phys.org news
Phys.org / Portugal's ancient giant bears shrank over thousands of years and humans may be to blame
About 22,000 years ago, a giant brown bear lumbered across what is now Portugal. The creature weighed around 385 kg (about 850 pounds), making it one of the largest of its kind ever found, towering over the Iberian brown ...
Phys.org / Sperm whales blow bubbles to achieve restful, vertical sleep
New research from the University of St Andrews and Université de Neuchâtel has uncovered the mechanism that allows sperm whales to sleep in a unique vertical position just under the ocean surface.
Phys.org / Modern forensics uncovers new clues about Inca sacrifice victims' last days
Human sacrifice was deeply ingrained in Inca civilization. Children and young people were selected for sacrifice to appease the gods and sacred mountain spirits. Being chosen was considered a great honor for both the victims ...
Phys.org / JWST captures rare glimpse of early black hole growing inside network of young galaxies
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have captured one of the clearest views yet of how an early supermassive black hole may grow within a network of young galaxies. The compact active galaxy, seen just a billion ...
Phys.org / Molecular clock transitions tune out the noise in the hunt for new physics
Heavy polar molecules are some of the most sensitive tools physicists have for probing what lies beyond the Standard Model, the theory that describes the particles and forces we know about. But turning that sensitivity into ...
Phys.org / How much should you reveal about yourself on your dating profile? Scientists have found the 'sweet spot'
Dating has entered a new era in which finding a potential soulmate is increasingly shaped by the digital world and, often, by algorithms. On dating apps, the way people present themselves through their profiles can significantly ...
Phys.org / Most powerful Northern Lights in a generation expose weaknesses in UK infrastructure
Millions of people across the UK marveled at the spectacular northern lights that lit up the night sky in May 2024. But while the display captivated skywatchers, the geomagnetic storm behind it also served as the biggest ...
Phys.org / Moon baboon: New insight into the mind of ancient Egyptians
New research from the University of St Andrews has shed light on baboons, moonlight and their link to an ancient Egyptian deity.
Phys.org / Fields medal awarded to four young mathematicians
The world of mathematics handed out its most prestigious awards Thursday at a unique moment for the field, as it faces pressure from AI's potential to outpace human calculation.
Phys.org / Engineers observe quantum heat waves at room temperature
Efficient heat management in solids is key to advancing the next generation of electronics. However, wave-like heat movement—known as phonon focusing—had been observed only at extremely low, or cryogenic, temperatures, limiting ...
Phys.org / When mothers make the winners: How alpha female lineages dominate hyena clans
In mammals, males are usually stronger and more competitive than females. Males also show greater inequality in reproductive success—the number of offspring they produce—than females. In spotted hyenas, the opposite is true: ...
Phys.org / Chocolate syrup-like fluid stores multiple interacting memories
Animals and electronic devices aren't the only things with memory. Materials can retain memories of past deformations in their microscopic structure. A common example is a crease in a sheet of paper that has been folded then ...
