Phys.org news

Phys.org / Ocean bottom seismometers could improve earthquake warning times in Pacific Northwest

If there is a magnitude 8 or 9 megathrust earthquake off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, data from ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) could improve earthquake detection times calculated by the ShakeAlert system.

23 hours ago
Phys.org / The Colorado River disappeared from the geological record for 5 million years: Scientists now know where it went

Geologists have solved the mystery of the disappearance from the geological record, millions of years ago, of one of North America's most important waterways: the Colorado River. A paper published in Science shows that the ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / A student-led experiment sets new limits in the search for axions

In the era of precision cosmology, research often means big science: large observatories, highly complex instruments, international collaborations and substantial funding. Yet even in such an advanced field, progress is still ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / DNA cracks nutmeg's hidden past, revealing a South Moluccas origin and a prehuman journey north

A sprinkle of nutmeg powder on baked goodies or mashed potatoes can immediately lift the flavor with its warm and sweet aroma. Even though it is used globally, not much is known about the true origins of the nutmeg spice ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / First archaeological case of cleft lip identified in China reveals inclusive care in Qing dynasty community

Orofacial clefts (OC; cleft lips and/or palates) require intense care immediately after birth and can lead to lifelong difficulties with eating and speaking, leading to social marginalization, stigmatization, and exclusion. ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / ALMA and JWST investigate giant disk galaxy's formation and evolution

European astronomers have used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe a recently discovered giant disk galaxy known as ADF22.1. Results of the new observations, published ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / Researchers directly observe muonic molecules critical to muon catalyzed fusion

Scientists have directly observed muonic molecules in resonance states for the first time, using a high-resolution X-ray detector, a new Science Advances study reports.

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / Q&A: Will agentic AI replace human scientists?

An emerging type of artificial intelligence, known as "agentic" AI, seems to do everything that biomedical scientists do—and often, does it faster. This next-generation technology can interpret experimental data, report the ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / Iron plus UV light turns alcohol into hydrogen with catalyst-like efficiency

Publishing in Communications Chemistry, researchers from Kyushu University have discovered a simple method of generating hydrogen gas by mixing methanol, sodium hydroxide, and iron ions, then irradiating the solution with ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / Saving coral reefs will require ruthless selection over generations to beat future heat waves

Assisted evolution could help corals survive future heat waves, but careful trait choice and strong repeated selection will be needed for it to be effective. As global temperatures rise, marine heat waves are becoming more ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / As modern crops turn 'lazy' underground, old sorghum may hold key to future food security

A greater focus on roots during plant breeding could ensure staple grain crops continue to feed the world as recycled nutrients substitute conventional fertilizers in the future, a University of Queensland study published ...

Apr 17, 2026
Phys.org / If birds are fancy dancers, are they smarter, too?

Does a male bird with a long and complex courtship dance have superior cognitive abilities? Simply put, is a talented dancer a smarter bird? To answer the question, researchers at Université de Montréal studied the zebra ...

Apr 17, 2026