Phys.org news

Phys.org / Laser spectroscopy helps reveal hidden nuclear properties in fermium

For the first time, researchers have determined the shape of the actinide nucleus of fermium-255 and measured its structure with high precision and resolution.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / New 'shape-shifting' architecture brings versatility to photonic quantum computing

Using light to process quantum information is one of the most promising approaches to building future quantum computers. Light particles, known as photons, are excellent carriers of quantum information, but their lack of ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Researchers unlock high-res view of 2D materials by doing a microscopic twist

By rapidly twisting a microscopically small tip back and forth, researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) have unlocked a new way to detect subtle changes on the surface of a material flexing in response to infrared ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Creating cleaner chemical reactions that run on oxygen and produce only water as waste

Oxygen provides the driving force for many vital chemical reactions. Two well-known examples include respiration, the process that allows living things to break down food to release its energy, and combustion, reactions that ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Hidden anatomy of clouds reveals how rain may begin without ice crystals

The initiation of rain in clouds without ice remains one of the largest unsolved mysteries in atmospheric science.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / First full zoysia grass genetic blueprint opens doors for drought-tolerant turf

A new genomic resource from the Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant genomics team is providing a powerful new foundation for faster, more precise turfgrass genetics and breeding. The team discovered a breakthrough genome that ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / US firm takes on backyard mosquitoes—with 600,000 mosquitoes

Todd Montgomery pops the lid off a small tube and taps out hundreds of mosquitoes into the backyard of a suburban home outside Washington.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Natural insecticide made from compound found in garlic and spearmint kills bean beetles effectively

In an effort to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides, researchers from Kyushu University have developed and tested a new insecticide made from compounds derived from garlic and spearmint.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Hydraulic traits reveal why some mountain trees move uphill while others shift downhill

As global temperatures rise, scientists have largely assumed that mountain tree species will move uphill in search of cooler conditions. A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals a more complex reality: Some ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Antenna-like cell appendage may help turtle embryos sense sex-deciding nest temperatures

When most baby turtles hatch, their sex depends on the temperature of the sand or soil where their mother laid her eggs. Warm incubation produces females, while cool nests produce males.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Uranus's unusual rotation makes its bow shock expand and contract each day

Within our solar system, Uranus is a geometric oddball. Its spin axis tilts more than 90° from its orbit, so it essentially rolls on its side through space. In contrast, Earth and other planets tilt only moderately or not ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Honduras review confirms 227 native mammal species after eight-year effort

An eight-year international research effort has produced the most comprehensive review of Honduras' mammals since 1998, verifying 227 native species across 146 genera and 42 families, along with three introduced rodent species. ...

Aug 7, 2026