Phys.org news
Phys.org / Personalized freedom can increase cooperation, trust and fairness
A new setup for social games suggests that when people are given the freedom to tailor their actions to different people in their networks, they become significantly more cooperative, trusting and fair.
Phys.org / Harnessing algae for a greener way to create functional gold nanoparticles
Researchers from Japan have pioneered a novel, sustainable method for synthesizing functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using microalgae. The work is published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
Phys.org / Hidden catalysis: Abrasion transforms common chemistry equipment into reagents
The chemical industry is one of the largest on Earth, essential for supplying us with pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, materials and more. Great care is taken to optimize reagents and conditions for each reaction, striving ...
Phys.org / AlphaSync database keeps protein structure prediction resource up to date
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have created a database that provides updated predicted structures on a regular basis, ensuring scientists can work with the most current information.
Phys.org / Widely cited irrigation stat for food security found to lack solid evidence
A globally cited statistic about the role of irrigation for food security that has formed foundational evidence for policy-making and scientific research is used on a hearsay basis and is based on weak evidence, according ...
Phys.org / Cancerous tumors less common in rapidly-evolving animals, study finds
Species that evolved rapidly in body size—such as the greater kudu and bighorn sheep—have fewer cancerous tumors, but the same is not true for non-cancerous tumors, according to new research.
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 ...
