Phys.org news

Phys.org / Rocks and rolls: The computational infrastructure of earthquakes and physics of planetary science

Sometimes to truly study something up close, you have to take a step back. That's what Andrea Donnellan does. An expert in Earth sciences and seismology, she gets much of her data from a bird's-eye view, studying the planet's ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / A nanomaterial flex—MXene electrodes help OLED display technology shine, while bending and stretching

The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology behind flexible cell phones, curved monitors, and televisions could one day be used to make on-skin sensors that show changes in temperature, blood flow, and pressure in ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Ancient teeth are treasure troves of data on Iron Age lifestyles

Teeth provide a wealth of information about the lives of Iron Age Italians, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Roberto Germano of Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and colleagues.

Jan 14, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Ancient Tethys Ocean shaped Central Asia's landscape, study suggests

New research from Adelaide University suggests the power of the ancient Tethys Ocean might have shaped Central Asia's topography during the Cretaceous period.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Hydrogel cilia set new standard in microrobotics

Cilia are micrometer-sized biological structures that occur frequently in nature. Their characteristic high-frequency, three-dimensional beating motions (5–40 Hz) play indispensable roles inside the body.

Jan 14, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Takeaway coffee cups release thousands of microplastic particles, research reveals

It's 7:45am. You grab a takeout coffee from your local café, wrap your hands around the warm cup, take a sip, and head to the office.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / AI tools are expanding individual capabilities while contracting scientific attention, research finds

Artificial intelligence promises to accelerate scientific discovery and open new frontiers of inquiry. But new research from James Evans (Faculty Co-Director of Novel Intelligence; Max Palevsky Professor of Sociology & Data ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Fire on ice: The Arctic's changing fire regime

The number of wildland fires burning in the Arctic is on the rise, according to NASA researchers. Moreover, these blazes are burning larger, hotter, and longer than they did in previous decades.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / World-first ice archive to guard secrets of melting glaciers

Scientists on Wednesday sealed ancient chunks of glacial ice in a first-of-its-kind sanctuary in Antarctica in the hope of preserving these fast-disappearing records of Earth's past climate for centuries to come.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Time warp: How marketers express time can affect what consumers buy

Which feels further back in time: the year 2016, or 10 years ago? And which feels closer: 2036, or 10 years from now?

Jan 14, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / 2025 was third hottest year on record: climate monitors

The planet logged its third hottest year on record in 2025, extending a run of unprecedented heat, with no relief expected in 2026, global climate monitors said Wednesday.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / From bolts to blue jets, lightning comes in many strange forms

Lightning has captured people's fascination for millennia. It's embedded in mythology, religion and popular culture. Think of Thor in Norse mythology or Indra in Hinduism.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth