Phys.org news

Phys.org / Unlocking Earth's 4.5-billion-year secret: The case of the missing lead

Geoscientists have long relied on different forms of lead to understand Earth's geological history and how it was created over billions of years. However, there is a mystery that has been puzzling scientists for decades: ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / How bromoform wrecks ozone: Ultrafast 'roaming' step captured in 150 femtoseconds

The halomethane compound bromoform (CHBr3) has devastating effects on the ozone layer. In the upper layers of the atmosphere, bromoform reacts with UV radiation, releasing bromine molecules which destroy ozone molecules. ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Why warmer Caribbean waters could mean slower hurricanes and worse flooding

Rapid ocean warming is likely to make tropical cyclone rainfall more intense and longer lasting, increasing flood risks in parts of the North Atlantic region. A new study led by Newcastle University using satellite data shows ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Unraveling the complexities of the Borna disease virus 1

Cases of Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) are extremely rare in humans, but in those who develop disease, the outcome is severe, almost always resulting in fatal encephalitis or inflammation in the brain. This zoonotic virus ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Unexpected predator: Jellyfish shown to hunt polychaete worms

Most polychaete species spend their lives in burrows in the seabed. However, adult individuals of two species, Alitta succinea and Platynereis dumerilii, leave their burrows to spawn during warm summer nights around the full ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Climate change is outpacing evolution. Scientists are using DNA to catch up

Evolution works over millennia. Climate change is moving far faster. That mismatch is killing some of the planet's most vital ecosystems, from California's towering redwoods to the seagrass meadows along its coast, both of ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Alzheimer's-linked protein tau plays a role in cell division

All processes such as wound healing, hair growth, and the replacement of old cells with new ones depend on cell division. During this process, chromosomes inside the cell must be evenly divided between two daughter cells. ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / After reaching speeds of 10,657 meters per second, Artemis II hurtles home for make-or-break splashdown

The Artemis II astronauts conducted a historic lunar flyby, gathered invaluable data and took in unprecedented moon views, but one of the most crucial moments of their 10-day mission is still to come: Friday's splashdown.

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Rod-shaped synthetic swimmers reveal a 'sweet spot' for active turbulence

Inspired by the collective dynamics of bacteria like E. coli and Bacillus subtilis, researchers at the University of Twente asked a simple but fundamental question: what happens when artificial swimmers are made rod-shaped ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Tarantulas may use learning and memory to search for food and locate their retreats

Researchers have documented several cases of spatial orientation in tarantulas living both in trees and in underground burrows. Spatial orientation refers to the ability of an animal to understand where it is in three-dimensional ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Could your housemates be changing your gut bacteria? An island bird study suggests so

Living with friends may quietly be altering your gut bacteria, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia. Research on a colony of tiny island birds reveals they share more of their gut bacteria with the ...

Apr 10, 2026
Phys.org / Seabirds reveal global mercury distribution in oceans

Mercury released into the oceans affects marine environments worldwide. Traditionally, its distribution and quantity have been estimated using marine biogeochemical simulation models.

Apr 10, 2026