Phys.org news
Phys.org / Why do female caribou have antlers? Arctic study points to nutrition
Biologists have long wondered why caribou are the only deer in the world in which females—like males—have antlers. A study of shed antlers collected from calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge provides ...
Phys.org / Astronomers inspect ultraluminous X-ray pulsar's magnetic field evolution in the Whale galaxy
Indian astronomers have investigated an ultraluminous X-ray pulsar in the galaxy NGC 4631, designated X-8. The new study, described in a paper published Feb. 16 on the arXiv preprint server, provides essential information ...
Phys.org / Marine plastic pollution alters octopus predator-prey encounters, study shows
More than 350,000 chemicals are used worldwide, and many find their way into the ocean through plastic pollution. As plastics accumulate in coastal waters, they continuously leach bioactive additives that can interfere with ...
Phys.org / Surprise solar eruptions on sun's far side validate new forecasting method
A team of scientists from around the world has created the first system that can predict when and where extremely powerful solar storms, called superflares, are most likely to happen. These storms can disrupt power grids, ...
Phys.org / One of the biggest stars in the universe might be getting ready to explode
One of the largest known stars in the universe underwent a dramatic transformation in 2014, new research shows, and may be preparing to explode. A study led by Gonzalo Muñoz-Sanchez at the National Observatory of Athens, ...
Phys.org / Engineered bacteria can consume tumors from the inside out
A research team led by the University of Waterloo is developing a novel tool to treat cancer by engineering hungry bacteria to literally eat tumors from the inside out. "Bacteria spores enter the tumor, finding an environment ...
Phys.org / When smaller means better: How device scaling enhances memory performance
Shrinking ferroelectric tunnel junctions can significantly boost their performance in memory devices, as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. The team fabricated nanoscale junctions directly on silicon substrates and ...
Phys.org / Stone Age deceased dressed in spectacular feather and fur headgear, new research technique reveals
A recently published research article examines the microscopic remains of clothing and burial items dating back roughly 7,000 years. The study focused on the Skateholm I and II cemeteries in Scania, southern Sweden, with ...
Phys.org / Diamond surfaces are covered in thin, ice-like water layers
Using atomic-scale defects in diamond, researchers in China have gained unprecedented insights into the complex chemical processes that unfold at the interfaces between solid surfaces and their surroundings. Published in ...
Phys.org / Cannabis essential oils unlock how camphor repels mosquitoes
From summer evenings to global disease prevention, mosquito repellents are a daily defense for billions of people, yet until now, scientists didn't fully understand how mosquitoes themselves perceive these "keep away" signals. ...
Phys.org / Electrical control of magnetism in 2D materials promises to advance spintronics
Conventional electronics process information leveraging the electrical charge of electrons. Over the past few decades, some electronics engineers have been exploring the potential of a different type of device that instead ...
Phys.org / Americans reveal deepening split between self and country
American reports of individual well-being have remained relatively stable over decades, but confidence in the nation has sharply declined. James N. Druckman and colleagues analyzed long-term survey data from two projects: ...
