Phys.org news

Phys.org / Metal bends the rules by combining electrical conductivity with optical frequency-doubling properties

An international research team led by the University of Bayreuth has discovered a metal that combines electrical conductivity with internal polarity. This enables it to exhibit second harmonic generation—an optical effect ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Seal's sensitive whiskers hold key to foiling fish escapes

Life beneath the waves can be a game of cat and mouse. Seals pursue swimming fish by following the tell-tale wakes and spinning vortices they leave behind, sensing the faint swirls with their sensitive whiskers. But fish ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Tiny satellite tracks star collisions while advancing space telescope design

When you think of telescopes in space, you probably think of the Hubble Space Telescope and its younger, larger sibling, the James Webb Space Telescope.

Sep 30, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Algorithm extracts interpretable information from weather data to improve AI models

Long-term weather forecasting is a difficult task, partly because weather systems are inherently chaotic. Though mathematical equations can approximate the underlying physics of weather, tiny inaccuracies that grow exponentially ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / Learning nature's language: Video analysis of tree sway offers non-invasive method to monitor forest health

Many people look at trees to relax, taking in the soothing fractal patterns to adjust their eyes from too many hours spent at a computer. Dominick "Dom" Ciruzzi, assistant professor of geology at William & Mary, takes tree ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Far side of the moon may be colder than the near side, lunar rocks suggest

The interior of the mysterious far side of the moon may be colder than the side constantly facing Earth, suggests a new analysis of rock samples co-led by a UCL (University College London) and Peking University researcher.

Sep 30, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Rapid flash Joule heating technique unlocks efficient rare earth element recovery from electronic waste

A team of researchers including Rice University's James Tour and Shichen Xu has developed an ultrafast, one-step method to recover rare earth elements (REEs) from discarded magnets using an innovative approach that offers ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Deep learning tool developed to unravel molecular mechanisms of convergent evolution

Convergent evolution—where distinct species independently evolve similar traits or functions, such as the wings of birds and bats—has long fascinated biologists. Now, a research team led by Prof. Zou Zhengting from the ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Flexible birdwatching framework lets citizen scientists collect data anytime, anywhere

Citizen science has allowed regular citizens to participate in data collection as well as expanded biodiversity monitoring. Yet many datasets are still limited to the coverage of certain regions and habitats in particular ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Natural antimicrobial drugs found in pollen could help protect bee colonies from infection

A honeybee hive, with its large stores of pollen, wax, and honey, is like a fortress guarding treasure: with strong defenses, but a bonanza for enemies that can overcome those. More than 30 parasites of honeybees are known, ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Study is first to show whether nesting heat affects sea turtle hatchling 'IQ'

As sand temperatures continue to rise, concerns about the future of sea turtles are growing. Hotter nests not only skew sex ratios—producing more females—but also reduce hatchling survival, slow growth, and increase the ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / As Amazon's 'flying rivers' weaken with tree loss, scientists warn of worsening droughts

Droughts have withered crops in Peru, fires have scorched the Amazon and hydroelectric dams in Ecuador have struggled to keep the lights on as rivers dry up. Scientists say the cause may lie high above the rainforest, where ...

Sep 30, 2025 in Earth