Phys.org news

Phys.org / Scientists map hidden magnetism on the sun's far side

For observers on Earth, the sun appears as a bright, familiar disk—but what we see is only half the story. Like the moon, one half of the sun is permanently hidden from our direct view: the far side beyond the visible solar ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Extra sets of chromosomes may help aggressive tumor cells spread, study finds

One of the biggest challenges in cancer research is understanding why some tumor cells become especially aggressive, invasive and resistant to treatment. Scientists have increasingly linked these dangerous traits to polyploid ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Orbital dances unlock true masses of Orion's young stars

A star's mass determines its entire life story, from how it shines to how it dies. For young stars shrouded in dust, getting an accurate mass has long been difficult, but new radio measurements are beginning to change that. ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Genomic tool untangles how microbes spread—even when they look almost identical

Researchers have developed a powerful new tool that can track how microbes spread between people with unprecedented precision, offering new ways to prevent infections and improve treatments in the future. The research, published ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Beavers leave a trail as they head into the Arctic and reshape the landscape

A study has provided new evidence of beavers' expansion into the Canadian Arctic by dating the changes they have made to the tundra landscape as they spread northward. Published in the journal Ecosphere, the research combines ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / This 2,200-year-old Roman wreck hid a repair story that rewrites how ancient ships survived long voyages

Ever since humans have embarked on sea voyages, they needed to ensure vessels were waterproof, resistant to salty seawater, and could withstand microorganisms or sea-dwellers like worms. Until the mid-20th century, however, ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / How electron structure affects light responses in moiré materials

In materials science, if you can understand the "texture" of a material—how its internal patterns form and shift—you can begin to design how it behaves. That's the focus of the work of Zhenglu Li, assistant professor in the ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / First gap-free peanut genomes reveal genes behind bigger seeds and better oils

An international team of researchers has produced complete, gap-free genome sequences for six peanut varieties, providing a comprehensive blueprint for future peanut breeding and improvement strategies.

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Some rays flash decoy eyes while others never do, as evolution's hidden trade-off comes into focus

From butterflies to peacocks, bold circular "eyespots" are among nature's most eye-catching patterns. But why do they appear in some animals and not others? A new study of skates and rays finally provides an answer—and it ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Amazon recovery masks diversity loss as fires, droughts and windstorms reshape forest edges

Even after fires, severe droughts, and windstorms, the vegetation in degraded Amazonian forests demonstrates a high capacity for regeneration, including tree species. However, recovery occurs under new ecological conditions, ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / A third of animal habitats on land could experience multiple extreme events by 2085, new study suggests

By 2085, 36% of species' current habitats on land could be exposed to multiple types of climate-driven extreme events such as heat waves, fire or floods if warming continues to rise into the latter half of the century. The ...

Apr 24, 2026
Phys.org / Physicists revive 1990s laser concept to propose a next-generation atomic clock

Researchers in the US and Germany have unveiled a theoretical blueprint for an atomic clock driven by a highly synchronized laser, where atoms work in concert rather than independently. Publishing their results in Physical ...

Apr 23, 2026