Phys.org news

Phys.org / A giant black hole that spins slower than its peers
Astronomers have made a record-breaking measurement of a black hole's spin, one of two fundamental properties of black holes. NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory shows this black hole is spinning slower than most of its smaller ...

Phys.org / Perceptions of happy and sad music may not be universal across cultures, new research finds
New research led by Western Sydney University has found that perceptions of major and minor chords and melodies—what Western culture commonly thinks of as "happy music" and "sad music"—may not be universal and is likely ...

Phys.org / Independent reanalysis of the M87 galactic center radio observational data
An independent reanalysis of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)'s observational data for the center of the elliptical galaxy M87 has produced images with different features, according to a new study. This study is part of ...

Phys.org / Study shows two million ancient and veteran trees in England, ten times more than previously recorded
A new study has shown there could be around eight to ten times as many ancient and veteran trees in England than currently recorded, with estimates ranging from 1.7 to 2.1 million, compared to the 115,000 currently on record.

Phys.org / Optical fiber imaging method advances studies of Alzheimer's disease
An optical fiber as thin as a strand of hair holds promise for use in minimally invasive deep-tissue studies of patients' brains that show the effects Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders. The research could set ...

Phys.org / Climate change in ocean water may impact mangrove dispersal
International research led by Dr. Tom Van der Stocken of the VUB Biology Department examined 21st century changes in ocean-surface temperature, salinity, and density, across mangrove forests worldwide. The study suggests ...

Phys.org / Laser creates a miniature magnetosphere
Magnetic reconnections in laser-produced plasmas have been studied to understand microscopic electron dynamics, which is applicable to space and astrophysical phenomena. Osaka University researchers, in collaboration with ...

Phys.org / Better living through multicellular life cycles
Cooperation is a core part of life for many organisms, ranging from microbes to complex multicellular life. It emerges when individuals share resources or partition a task in such a way that each derives a greater benefit ...

Phys.org / Promising uses of non-destructive sensors to aid food security and enhance sustainable agriculture
Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT's research enterprise ...

Phys.org / Climate change will increase chances of wildfire globally, but humans can still reduce the risk
New research highlights how the risk of wildfire is rising globally due to climate change—but also, how human actions and policies can play a critical role in regulating regional impacts.

Phys.org / Rapid seed dispersal by hornets facilitates reproduction of agarwood plants
Aquilaria sinensis (family Thymelaeaceae) is the principal source of Chinese agarwood. It is a vulnerable evergreen tree native to lowland forests in southern China. Its fruit matures during the June-August hot season. However, ...

Phys.org / The path of most resistance could help limit bone loss during spaceflight
Astronauts that have returned after spaceflights over three months may show signs of incomplete bone recovery even after one year on Earth, but adding in more resistance-based exercises during spaceflight may help limit bone ...