Phys.org news

Phys.org / Atomic-level surface control boosts brightness of eco-friendly nanosemiconductors by 18-fold

Light-emitting semiconductors are used throughout everyday life in TVs, smartphones, and lighting. However, many technical barriers remain in developing environmentally friendly semiconductor materials.

23 hours ago in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Jupiter's hidden depths: Simulation suggests planet holds 1.5 times more oxygen than the sun

Spectacular clouds swirl across the surface of Jupiter. These clouds contain water, just like Earth's, but are much denser on the gas giant—so thick that no spacecraft has been able to measure exactly what lies beneath.

Jan 14, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Researchers solve mystery of universe's 'little red dots'

Since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) went into operation, red dots in its images have puzzled researchers around the world. Now, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have explained these enigmatic findings, ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / How prolonged maternal care in horses builds better brains and improves social skills

As with humans, the maternal bond in nature is important for animals to find their way in the world. In mammals, a mother does not just provide milk; she also teaches her offspring survival skills and how to play well with ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Woolly rhino genome recovered from Ice Age wolf stomach

Researchers from the Center for Paleogenetics have managed to analyze the genome from a 14,400-year-old woolly rhinoceros, recovered from a tissue sample found preserved inside the stomach of an ancient wolf.

Jan 14, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Medieval burials shed light on Menga dolmen's multicultural significance over thousands of years

The Menga dolmen in Antequera, Spain, is a Neolithic monument and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monument, built in the fourth millennium BCE, has seen continued use for burials and rituals through the Bronze Age, ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / What happens when fire ignites in space? 'A ball of flame'

When fire breaks out in the low-gravity, high-stakes conditions inside spacecraft or space stations, it behaves very differently than back here on Earth.

Jan 14, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Two simple modifications cool Kenyan homes and keep mosquitoes out

Researchers in Kenya have identified two low-cost solutions that tackle the twin challenges of rising temperatures and malaria transmission.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Indoor ozone reaction products can make blood thicker

Ozone that protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays, when in an indoor space, reacts with oils present on skin, wall paint, or even cooking oil to produce chemicals that negatively impact cardiovascular health.

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Astronomers discover 19 new pulsars by analyzing FAST archival data

Astronomers from Nanjing University in China have analyzed the archival data from the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), searching for new pulsars. As a result, they detected 19 such objects that ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Detailed map reveals groundwater levels across the U.S.

How much fresh water is in the United States? It's a tough question, since most of the water is underground, accessible at varying depths. In previous decades, it's been answered indirectly from data on rainfall and evaporation. ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / T. rex grew up slowly: New study reveals 'king of dinosaurs' kept growing until age 40

For decades, scientists have been counting annual growth rings—similar to tree rings—inside fossilized leg bones of Tyrannosaurus rex to estimate how old the giant carnivores were when they died and how quickly they grew ...

Jan 14, 2026 in Biology