Phys.org news

Phys.org / A child's environment may shape how their brain solves problems

For decades, researchers have documented an achievement gap between children from higher- and lower-income families. On average, children with more resources perform better in school and on cognitive tests.

20 hours ago
Phys.org / Biodegradable sensors attached to plants detect pesticides in 3 minutes

Researchers at the São Carlos Institute of Physics at the University of São Paulo (IFSC-USP) in Brazil, led by Paulo Augusto Raymundo-Pereira, have created biodegradable, "wearable" sensors for plants to monitor their health, ...

17 hours ago
Phys.org / NASA's Psyche spacecraft buzzing Mars on its way to a rare metal asteroid

A NASA spacecraft chasing a rare metal asteroid swings past Mars this week for a gravity boost, snapping thousands of pictures as practice for the main encounter in 2029.

19 hours ago
Phys.org / Mathematicians prove existence of Kaleidocycles then unlock their exact motion

Kaleidocycles are flexible polyhedral structures composed of rigid tetrahedra connected along their edges to form rotating rings. Each tetrahedron is a solid 3D polygon with four triangular faces (like a triangular pyramid), ...

20 hours ago
Phys.org / Discovery of antimicrobial peptides in ant venom has far-reaching implications

In addition to serving as biochemical weapons for offense and defense, the venoms produced by ants in the subfamily Formicinae also fulfill additional roles. For example, the ants use it to protect their nests from pathogens. ...

19 hours ago
Phys.org / Autonomous underwater robot discovers hidden coral reef 'hotspots'

Researchers have developed an autonomous system for seeking out and mapping hotspots of biodiversity on coral reefs with unprecedented precision, offering a powerful new tool for studying and protecting some of the ocean's ...

21 hours ago
Phys.org / Large-scale eDNA survey reveals hidden factors that affect regional fish communities

As climate change and human activities continually ramp up, fish are forced to find ways to adapt. As fish move around to find more suitable habitats as ocean conditions shift, regional fish distributions change—which can ...

19 hours ago
Phys.org / Satellite launch pollution is rapidly accumulating in the upper atmosphere

The potent pollution from so-called megaconstellation satellite systems launched en masse into space since 2019 will account for nearly half (42%) of the total climate impact of space sector pollution by the end of the decade, ...

23 hours ago
Phys.org / Sex-related differences in hoverfly eyes give insight into their aerodynamic powers

Many male hoverflies have bigger eyes than females, giving them the advantage of better optics and faster photoreceptors in high-speed pursuits to find a preferred partner to breed.

20 hours ago
Phys.org / Machine-learning method maps the uncertainty of biodiversity scenarios: The Bigfoot connection

To effectively protect biodiversity in an era of climate change, ecologists first have to know where animal and plant species are located and then be able to predict what habitats will be available to them in the future. ...

22 hours ago
Phys.org / We keep thanking machines and forests for one strange reason, and it is reshaping human bonds

Whether it's artificial intelligence programs or the Amazon rainforest, people often experience gratitude or protectiveness toward non-human entities because they perceive these entities as having good intentions, according ...

23 hours ago
Phys.org / What gives stevia its sweetness? Scientists uncover the genetic secret

Stevia is a widely used sweetener, but why do some stevia varieties taste cleaner and more sugar-like than others? Recent research conducted at the University of Toyama shows that stevia's sweetness is genetically linked ...

May 14, 2026