Phys.org news

Phys.org / Women with narcissistic tendencies may struggle with forgiveness

Narcissism is associated with selfishness and other negative traits like a grandiose sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. So it may not be surprising that narcissists ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Asteroid Nysa's rare three-lobed structure challenges formation models

Named for the mythical valley where the god Dionysus was raised in secret by nymphs, the asteroid 44 Nysa inhabits the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Through observations by the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Two materials, one photonic chip: Unlocking a new way to generate light frequencies

Modern photonic chips can pack sophisticated optical functions onto devices smaller than a fingernail. They are increasingly used to generate, manipulate and measure light for applications ranging from communications to sensing. ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / How the 'fecal revolution' changed Earth's ecosystems

An international study led by Flinders University has found a fertile area of inspiration to explain an important step in evolution—and it's a whole lot of poop. The new study describes the "fecal revolution" to explain a ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Mapping monsters: Data release unveils all-sky views of supermassive black holes

Data released by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) marks a landmark expansion in the study of accreting supermassive black holes (SMBHs). As part of the fifth generation of the survey (SDSS-V), the Black Hole Mapper (BHM) ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Mythical mountain god inspires name for China's first freshwater cave snail

A team of scientists has announced the discovery of Erhaia dijiang, a species of eyeless freshwater cave snail.

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Seaweed-derived coating keeps strawberries fresher than a fridge

University of British Columbia researchers have developed an edible, seaweed-derived coating that can keep strawberries fresh for at least four days at room temperature, outperforming uncoated berries stored in the refrigerator.

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Magnetic dopants help quantum dots use light for chemical reactions

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have demonstrated a new quantum-dot mechanism that could significantly expand the reach of light-driven chemistry. By introducing magnetic manganese dopants into semiconductor ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / DNA study uncovers deeper losses across Hawaiian honeycreeper family tree

Smithsonian researchers have identified the genetic relationships among all Hawaiian honeycreeper species known to have existed—and subsequently faced major losses—since the arrival of Europeans to the islands.

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Pushing the boundaries of ultracold neutral plasmas

Using a combination of laser cooling techniques and strong magnetic fields, researchers at Colorado State University have for the first time created an ultracold neutral plasma with electrons cooled to temperatures measured ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists build 'cell villages' to map the genetics of brain cell fitness

How readily a cell divides and how well it survives are fundamental to life, shaping everything from organ size to the body's ability to withstand disease. That combination, known as cell fitness, isn't the same for everyone. ...

Aug 4, 2026
Phys.org / Unexpected bond-breaking order reveals a new path to bioluminescence

The dancing lights of fireflies and the eerie blue sparkle in crashing waves get their glow when a molecular square of carbon and oxygen atoms breaks. New research from Stanford University has shown that mechanical force ...

Aug 4, 2026