Phys.org news

Phys.org / Nearly 50 years of data reveal happiness gap for single parents

Single parents are less happy than parents with a partner, according to a comprehensive analysis of global studies spanning nearly 50 years of data. With the number of solo caregivers on the rise in many countries, scientists ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Divers may think they protect reefs, but one unseen habit is taking a steady toll

Research at the University of Sydney has found that scuba-diving tourism—widely promoted as a sustainable way to experience coral reefs—is causing frequent and often hidden damage to fragile marine ecosystems.

May 26, 2026
Dialog / New fossil salamander species related to the famous axolotl is discovered in Mexico

The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is famous because adults look like overgrown babies, or tadpoles, retaining juvenile features as adults and capable of remarkable regeneration of lost limbs or tails. New studies ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient DNA rewrites the story of a historical Sámi burial

A new study by the University of Turku and partners provides fresh insights into an individual buried near Lake Kitka in Kuusamo, Finland, at the turn of the 17th century (c. 1600 CE). DNA and isotope analyses show that the ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Astrophysicists strike black gold with treasure trove of gravitational wave detections

Researchers from the University of Glasgow's Institute for Gravitational Research are celebrating the publication of a vast new treasure trove of gravitational wave detections, hailed as a milestone marking the coming of ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Why is Europe the world's fastest warming continent?

Europe, which is in the throes of a record-smashing heat wave this week, is the world's fastest-warming continent and stretches into an even more rapidly heating Arctic.

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Five-tea comparison reveals kombucha's biological properties depend on starting point

Over the past few years, kombucha has become one of the world's most popular fermented beverages. While most consumers focus primarily on its taste, scientists are increasingly analyzing its chemical composition and potential ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Just 1.2 billion years after the Big Bang, galaxies were already shaped by where they lived

A large protocluster of galaxies that existed 12.6 billion years ago, first discovered with the Subaru Telescope, has been examined in detail using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The study found that galaxies in crowded ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / How did we learn which plants are safe to eat? Food scientists explain

Have you ever eaten a green potato, or a bunch of rhubarb leaves? Hopefully not, because these two plant parts can be toxic to humans. While they may seem edible, they contain chemicals that can make you seriously ill.

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / How homing pigeons keep navigation simple when winging their way home together

When it comes to flocking together, homing pigeons use a simple strategy to find better ways home, according to a recent report. The study, published in the journal eLife, suggests that homing pigeons use simple route averaging ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / Researchers capture inception of hydrogen-uranium reaction for the first time

When hydrogen gas interacts with uranium metal, the combination creates a chemically reactive powder and a runaway reaction that is difficult to stop. The result can impact the safety and lifespan of technology critical for ...

May 26, 2026
Phys.org / As wolves recover, golden jackals may still conquer most of Europe thanks to 'human shield'

Human activity may be enabling the expansion of golden jackals across Europe by reducing the suppressive effect of gray wolves, suggests research published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. This human-mediated interaction could ...

May 26, 2026