Phys.org news

Phys.org / String theory is uniquely derived from basic assumptions about the universe, physicists show

If you could take an apple and break it into smaller and smaller parts, you would find molecules, then atoms, followed by subatomic particles like protons and the quarks and gluons that make them up. You might think you hit ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Why emus can't fly: A 'time switch' in bird embryos holds the answer

Why can eagles soar through the skies while emus are bound to the earth? One secret lies in a skeletal structure called the keel, a blade-like ridge on the breastbone that anchors the flight muscles needed for powered flight. ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Hairy new fish species discovered in the Great Barrier Reef

Swimming among the corals of the Great Barrier Reef is a fish that could be a doppelganger for the famous Sesame Street character Mr. Snuffleupagus. This bright orange-red, hairy, long-snouted ghost pipefish is a new species ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Autonomous underwater robot discovers hidden coral reef 'hotspots'

Researchers have developed an autonomous system for seeking out and mapping hotspots of biodiversity on coral reefs with unprecedented precision, offering a powerful new tool for studying and protecting some of the ocean's ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / A child's environment may shape how their brain solves problems

For decades, researchers have documented an achievement gap between children from higher- and lower-income families. On average, children with more resources perform better in school and on cognitive tests.

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Discovery of antimicrobial peptides in ant venom has far-reaching implications

In addition to serving as biochemical weapons for offense and defense, the venoms produced by ants in the subfamily Formicinae also fulfill additional roles. For example, the ants use it to protect their nests from pathogens. ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / NASA's Psyche spacecraft buzzing Mars on its way to a rare metal asteroid

A NASA spacecraft chasing a rare metal asteroid swings past Mars this week for a gravity boost, snapping thousands of pictures as practice for the main encounter in 2029.

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Mathematicians prove existence of Kaleidocycles then unlock their exact motion

Kaleidocycles are flexible polyhedral structures composed of rigid tetrahedra connected along their edges to form rotating rings. Each tetrahedron is a solid 3D polygon with four triangular faces (like a triangular pyramid), ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Satellite launch pollution is rapidly accumulating in the upper atmosphere

The potent pollution from so-called megaconstellation satellite systems launched en masse into space since 2019 will account for nearly half (42%) of the total climate impact of space sector pollution by the end of the decade, ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Machine-learning method maps the uncertainty of biodiversity scenarios: The Bigfoot connection

To effectively protect biodiversity in an era of climate change, ecologists first have to know where animal and plant species are located and then be able to predict what habitats will be available to them in the future. ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / Large-scale eDNA survey reveals hidden factors that affect regional fish communities

As climate change and human activities continually ramp up, fish are forced to find ways to adapt. As fish move around to find more suitable habitats as ocean conditions shift, regional fish distributions change—which can ...

May 14, 2026
Phys.org / What gives stevia its sweetness? Scientists uncover the genetic secret

Stevia is a widely used sweetener, but why do some stevia varieties taste cleaner and more sugar-like than others? Recent research conducted at the University of Toyama shows that stevia's sweetness is genetically linked ...

May 14, 2026