Phys.org news
Phys.org / Forever chemicals affect the genes of unhatched ducklings
The EU is considering introducing a blanket ban on the man-made chemicals called PFAS because of the risks they pose. Researchers have now found that these substances can even alter the genes of birds before they hatch.
Phys.org / How plants decide their size: Study maps plant growth strategies across roots, leaves, and stems
What makes plants grow to a certain size? From the tiniest cells to whole leaves, roots, and stems, growth has to be carefully coordinated—but until now, it has been hard to compare findings from different studies.
Phys.org / New AI framework can uncover space physics equations in raw data
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly artificial neural networks, have proved to be highly promising tools for uncovering patterns in large amounts of data that would otherwise be difficult to detect. Over the ...
Phys.org / The time 'rondeau' crystal: Scientists observe a new form of temporal order
In a new study published in Nature Physics, researchers achieved the first experimental observation of a time rondeau crystal—a novel phase of matter where long-range temporal order coexists with short-time disorder.
Phys.org / 'Impossible' merger of two massive black holes explained
In 2023, astronomers detected a huge collision. Two unprecedentedly massive black holes had crashed an estimated 7 billion light-years away. The enormous masses and extreme spins of the black holes puzzled astronomers. Black ...
Phys.org / Neanderthal DNA helps explain how faces form
Every human face is unique, allowing us to distinguish between individuals. We know little about how facial features are encoded in our DNA, but we may be able to learn more about how our faces develop by looking at our ancient ...
Phys.org / Fragments of Stone of Scone tracked down to reveal a hidden history
The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, is a treasured relic of history in Great Britain, used for centuries as an accompaniment to the coronation of kings. This 152 kg (335 lb) sandstone block has suffered ...
Phys.org / X-ray techniques map and measure the invisible properties of altermagnets
The new big thing in magnetics is altermagnetism, a form of magnetism that promises to power the next generation of electronics. Unlike ferromagnets, like a fridge magnet, where all internal atomic spins align to create a ...
Phys.org / Iron core-shell catalyst boosts hydrogen economy of direct syngas to olefin conversion
Scientists have developed a new iron-based catalyst that improves the typically low hydrogen atom economy (HAE) in the direct synthesis of olefins—small hydrocarbon molecules. It converts the water produced as a by-product ...
Phys.org / Ion-pair stealth shield hides nanoparticles from the body's defenses
Japan's Innovation Center of NanoMedicine reports on a new stealth coating for tiny medicine-carrying particles that doesn't depend on PEG-style shields. By locking positive and negative charges together into a tight net, ...
Phys.org / Totally-eclipsing binary UZ Draconis inspected with TESS
Astronomers from Keele University in the UK have utilized NASA's planet-hunting TESS telescope to investigate a totally-eclipsing binary known as UZ Draconis. Results of the new observations, published October 31 on the arXiv ...
Phys.org / Within a second after the Big Bang, particle interactions may have created black holes, boson stars and cannibal stars
Before atomic elements came together, less than a second after the Big Bang, if particles condensed into halos of matter, these halos may then have collapsed, creating the first black holes, boson stars, and so-called cannibal ...
