Phys.org news

Phys.org / Testing quantum collapse theory with the XENONnT dark matter detector

Theories of quantum mechanics predict that some particles can exist in superpositions, which essentially means that they can be in more than one state at once. When a particle's state is measured, however, this superposition ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Ultrahigh-energy cosmic messengers may carry ultraheavy secrets

There may be an ultraheavy explanation for the mystery surrounding the origins of the highest-energy particles ever observed. Ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays are particles from space that strike Earth with energies far beyond ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Artificial intelligence may accelerate the path to radicalization

How are ordinary people drawn into extremist circles—and what role can artificial intelligence play in that process? This question is addressed by a new study which, for the first time, combines psychological theories of ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Rapidly melting Antarctic ice shelves may cause global sea levels to rise far faster than expected

Global sea levels may rise faster than previously expected, suggests a new study in Nature Communications. The reason is that warming oceans appear to be melting Antarctic ice shelves from below much more rapidly than expected.

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Modern experiments suggest rhino teeth may have been part of Neanderthal toolkits

Neanderthals may not only have feasted on rhinoceroses, they may also have used their exceptionally hard teeth as specialized tools for a range of tasks, such as retouching the edges of stone tools.

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Streetlights trigger bizarre 'death spirals' in thousands of isopods, scientists find

A new study led by Ph.D. student Idan Sheizaf, under the guidance of Prof. Ariel Chipman from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has documented a never-before-seen behavioral phenomenon: thousands of land-dwelling isopods ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Mobile qubits on a chip move us a step closer to everyday quantum computers

For years, quantum computers have lived under a huge bubble of hype, promising to revolutionize numerous fields, from medicine and battery design to materials science and cybersecurity. But realizing their potential on any ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Ultrasound waves rupture COVID-19 and flu viruses without damaging cells

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves similar to those used in medical exams can eliminate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 without damaging human ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / From pantry to pest control: Garlic kills the mood for mosquitoes as well

Garlic is not a substance that most people consider an aphrodisiac. It turns out that mosquitoes agree. In fact, a new Yale study finds that garlic also functions as a de facto birth control for mosquitoes and other winged ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Quantum metallurgy: Electron crystals deform and melt

In a process analogous to how solids melt into liquids, the electrons in many different metals form crystal-like patterns that can deform and melt, opening new pathways for neuromorphic computing and superconductors, University ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / AI tool unifies fragmented cell maps into spatial atlases across tissues

A new computational method could dramatically accelerate efforts to map the body's cells in space, according to a study published in Nature Genetics. Spatial multi-omics technologies—often described as ultra-high-resolution ...

May 7, 2026
Phys.org / Photonics advance could enable compact, high-performance lidar sensors

Lidar systems use pulses of infrared light to measure distance and map a 3D scene with high resolution, allowing autonomous vehicles to rapidly react to obstacles that appear in their path. But traditional lidar sensors are ...

May 7, 2026