Phys.org news
Phys.org / New earthquake model goes against the grain
When a slab slides beneath an overriding plate in a subduction zone, the slab takes on a property called anisotropy, meaning its strength is not the same in all directions. Anisotropy is what causes a wooden board to break ...
Phys.org / Global construction carbon footprint set to double by 2050
As the world marks UN World Cities Day on 31 October—a call to make cities more sustainable—a new international study published in Communications Earth & Environment warns that the global construction sector's carbon ...
Phys.org / Weather radar data reveal alarming declines in insect populations
A research team including a Keele University scientist have made a breakthrough in monitoring insect populations across the UK using weather radar data. Traditionally used to track rainfall and storms, these radars are now ...
Phys.org / 'Sticky' chemistry secrets could unlock cleaner, more efficient fuel production
In a new study, chemists have developed a novel framework for determining how effectively carbon monoxide sticks to the surface of a catalyst during conversion from carbon dioxide.
Phys.org / AI optical microscope analyzes 2D materials as precisely as human experts
Haozhe "Harry" Wang's electrical and computer engineering lab at Duke welcomed an unusual new lab member this fall: artificial intelligence. Using publicly available AI foundation models such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Meta's ...
Phys.org / How animals get their spots, and why they are beautifully imperfect
From tiger stripes to leopard spots, the animal world is full of distinctive and intricate patterns. In a new study, CU Boulder scientists refined their previous theory of how animal patterns form and successfully recreated ...
Phys.org / Humanity rises as wildlife recedes: Two studies show the extent of human domination over nature
Wolves roaming the Mongolian steppes cover more than 7,000 kilometers a year. The Arctic tern flies from pole to pole in its annual migration. Compared to these long-distance travelers of land, sea and sky, humans might seem ...
Phys.org / Supercomputer-developed AI learns the intricate language of biomolecules
Scientists at the University of Glasgow have harnessed a powerful supercomputer, normally used by astronomers and physicists to study the universe, to develop a new machine learning model which can help translate the language ...
Phys.org / As global warming worsens, so may space communications
Researchers at Kyushu University have found that rising CO2 levels in our atmosphere could lead to future disruptions in shortwave radio communications, including systems used for air traffic control, maritime communication, ...
Phys.org / How tectonics and astronomical cycles shaped the Late Paleozoic climate
A research team led by Academician Jin Zhijun from the Institute of Energy, Peking University, has revealed how interactions between Earth's tectonic activity and astronomical cycles jointly shaped the planet's climate and ...
Phys.org / Addressing population disparities near the worst Superfund sites
Historically underserved and socially vulnerable communities, including Black, Asian, and other minority populations, are disproportionately exposed to Superfund sites—places where contamination poses significant risks ...
Phys.org / How beavers impact ecosystems above and below ground
As ecosystem engineers, beavers build resilience into the landscape. Above ground, we can see changes wrought by beaver ponds such as increases in biodiversity and water retention. But UConn Department of Earth Sciences researcher ...
