Phys.org news

Phys.org / Only 13% of biodiversity promises from 180 influential companies pass accountability test

New research by the University of Oxford and the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University has revealed that most biodiversity commitments made by large, influential companies are not precise enough to enable society ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Gravitational waves reveal hidden populations within black hole mergers

Since gravitational waves were first detected in 2015, instruments including LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA have picked up a steady stream of signals from colliding black holes, building a catalog that now numbers in the hundreds. ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Self‑building molecular rings bring next‑generation drug delivery and smart materials closer

Rotaxanes are dumbbell-shaped mechanically interlocked molecules in which one or more ring-shaped molecules are threaded through a linear segment, known as the axle. To keep the ring from sliding off, two bulky groups, sometimes ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Tiny magnetic 'flowers' could expand how researchers image spintronic materials under stronger fields

Materials with magnetic nanostructures have a wide range of potential applications. One area is so-called spintronics, with devices that encode information in magnetic domains. These magnetic bits can be written, read and ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Trees for hotter cities: New approach can bolster community input in meeting targets

Efforts to plant more trees in cities could be boosted thanks to a new tool for planners and community groups, published by an international group of researchers. Residents, policymakers and tree officers in Cardiff, Milton ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Textbook chemistry gains blue-light upgrade to build complex drug molecules in fewer steps

In drug discovery, building complex molecules quickly is the name of the game.

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Low-cost genome sequencing approach is powering genetics research on mental illness and many other studies

For researchers on the hunt for the genetic roots of disease, the cost of deep whole-genome sequencing makes it challenging to conduct large genetic studies involving thousands of participants, which are needed to reveal ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / New imaging method offers fresh insight into LED materials

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are used in everything from household lighting and mobile phones to large display screens. Improving their efficiency could reduce energy use and enhance performance across a wide range of technologies. ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists decipher how a psychedelic substance is created, then engineer a plant to produce several at once

Long before scientists began studying them in the lab, mind-altering substances were already being gathered from plants, fungi and even animals for use in rituals, healing practices and mental health treatment. Researchers ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Patterned frozen soils get their shape from gravity and funky physics

Hillslopes in Arctic regions with frozen soils can host a suite of geometric patterns, from circles and stripes to polygonal patterned ground. They can also have solifluction patterns, or markings left behind when partially ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / Autonomous drones measure volcanic gas clouds, offering clearer eruption warning signs

To better assess the danger posed by volcanoes, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new measurement system. Laser beams are sent through escaping gas clouds and reflected by drones. An ...

Jul 12, 2026
Phys.org / New method brings single-particle quality control to nanocrystal manufacturing

Nanocrystals are already used in millions of devices, including televisions, laptops and displays, and are considered key materials for the next generation of quantum, sensing and solar technologies. However, they have not ...

Jul 12, 2026