Phys.org news

Phys.org / Deer inhibit trees but raise plant diversity, 18-year study reveals

At high densities, white-tailed deer inhibit growth of trees but increase the overall diversity of smaller plant and weed species, according to a long-term study published recently. The work is published in the journal PLOS ...

17 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Offshore wind farms change ocean current patterns, simulations show

By 2050, offshore wind power capacity in the North Sea is set to increase more than tenfold. Researchers at the Helmholtz Center Hereon have analyzed the long-term overall impact of this large number of wind farms on the ...

22 hours ago in Earth
Phys.org / New blockchain platform brings credibility to carbon registries

As governments and companies race to meet climate pledges, from net-zero goals to near-term emissions cuts, Cornell researchers have developed a blockchain-based platform to improve how those commitments are recorded and ...

18 hours ago in Earth
Phys.org / Molecular 'knitting machine' for bacterial capsules mapped in 3D

Most bacteria, including many bacterial pathogens, are surrounded by an outer protective layer of sugar molecules, known as a capsule. This primarily protects the bacteria from environmental influences, but also serves as ...

21 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / New species of ancient crocodile named in honor of Welsh school teacher

A new species of crocodylomorph dating to about 215 million years ago has been described from the U.K. It has been called Galahadosuchus jonesi in recognition of David Rhys Jones, a secondary school physics teacher from Ysgol ...

23 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / New nanohole-based microscopy monitors electrochemical reactions millisecond by millisecond

Many technological applications, such as sensors and batteries, greatly rely on electrochemical reactions. Improving these technologies depends on understanding how electrochemical reactions work. However, most current methods ...

20 hours ago in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / If alien signals have already reached Earth, why haven't we seen them?

For decades, scientists have searched the skies for signs of extraterrestrial technology. A study from EPFL asks a sharp question: if alien signals have already reached Earth without us noticing, what should we realistically ...

23 hours ago in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Optical switch protocol verifies entangled quantum states in real time without destroying them

The fragility and laws of quantum physics generally make the characterization of quantum systems time‑consuming. Furthermore, when a quantum system is measured, it is destroyed in the process. A breakthrough by researchers ...

22 hours ago in Physics
Phys.org / New tool could reduce collision risk for Earth-observation satellites

Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a new way to design Earth-observation satellite missions that could help protect the space environment while continuing to deliver vital data for tackling global ...

21 hours ago in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Q&A: Algorithm achieves near end-to-end genome assembly without ultra-long DNA sequencing

Haoyu Cheng, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical informatics and data science at Yale School of Medicine, has developed a new algorithm capable of building complete human genomes using standard laboratory technology. ...

21 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Amazon deforestation raises surface temperature by 3°C during dry season, satellite data show

Deforestation in the Amazon is causing significant regional changes in climate compared to areas with forest cover above 80%. The loss of vegetation leads to an increase in surface temperature, a decrease in evapotranspiration, ...

22 hours ago in Earth
Phys.org / Does vegan-friendly haircare work? Early tests show shinier, easier-to-comb strands

To find new ways to shield hair from heat, sunlight and air pollution, researchers in Brazil are turning to vegan-friendly ingredients for shampoos and conditioners. Published in ACS Omega, early tests show that a fruit-algae ...

23 hours ago in Chemistry