Phys.org news
Phys.org / Researchers discover a new pathway to building energy-efficient computing chips
The growing popularity of electronic devices—from fitness trackers and laptops to smartphones—is driving demand for more energy-efficient computing chips. Now, researchers have found a way to change the electronic properties ...
Phys.org / Portable sensor detects PFAS in water on-site, cutting need for costly lab tests
A new study has unveiled a new method to cost-effectively and practically test for "forever chemicals" in water, potentially revolutionizing environmental PFAS monitoring. Led by Griffith University, the novel PFAS detection ...
Phys.org / Rare footage of elusive sea-floor creatures and backward-swimming fish captured by compact video-acoustic system
Arctic glacial fjords are hotspots of marine life, yet their seafloor environments remain some of the least explored regions on Earth. Their extreme remoteness and the technical challenges of deep-water observation have led ...
Phys.org / Online echo chambers can arise even without algorithmic nudges or seeking like-minded people
A new study of online communities suggests that their interaction dynamics can amplify small, local imbalances in opinions, rapidly turning initially mixed-opinion communities into highly-polarized ones—even without the algorithms ...
Phys.org / Bacterial protein map could open new path against drug-resistant infections
La Trobe scientists have made a pivotal discovery in the fight against dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, as the University launches a major research initiative focused on new ways to target antimicrobial resistance (AMR). ...
Phys.org / Clean energy's nickel rush is heading straight for some of Earth's richest ecosystems
Meeting future nickel demand for stainless steel and clean energy technologies will require tough decisions with potential environmental trade-offs, a new study has found. Dr. Jayden Hyman from The University of Queensland's ...
Phys.org / Cold-triggered ion channel in bacteria may point to broader temperature-sensing mechanism
All lifeforms need to continuously adapt to temperature changes to survive. Now, Weill Cornell Medicine investigators studying a bacterial protein have identified a new mechanism of sensing cold temperatures. The finding ...
Phys.org / AI matches human teachers: Brief pre-lecture chat boosts students' brain synchrony and learning outcomes
Millions of students worldwide have long relied on self-paced learning through pre-recorded video lectures, a model that forms the backbone of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and large-scale online education. Since the ...
Phys.org / How higher temperatures can benefit (or devastate) bumble bee populations
New research finds that higher temperatures can actually benefit some bumble bee species—particularly those that make subterranean nests. However, periods of extreme heat appear to offset those benefits, and may contribute ...
Phys.org / What can singing mice say about human speech?
Speech is a crowning achievement of human evolution, the skill that separates us from every other animal. So, it would stand to reason that evolving this capability required some enormous leap in brain complexity. A study ...
Phys.org / Webb and Hubble find massive star clusters emerge faster
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope together with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have looked deeply at thousands of young star clusters in four nearby galaxies, studying clusters at different ...
Phys.org / Fewer insects, fewer nutritious crops: Pollinator decline puts human health at risk
Biodiversity loss is directly threatening human health and welfare, according to new research led by the University of Bristol. The study, published in Nature reveals, for the first time, how the decline of insect pollinators ...