Phys.org news
Phys.org / When it comes to predicting people's preferences, it pays to consider 'the power of three'
In his 1927 paper, "A law of comparative judgment," the American psychologist L. L. Thurstone proposed that when people select one option among multiple alternatives, they are picking the one that has the highest value to ...
Phys.org / Distant time crystals oscillate in unison, paving the way for spin networks
In January 2024, physicists at TU Dortmund University demonstrated a continuous time crystal in a semiconductor whose oscillations remained stable for hours. In a new study published in Nature Communications, Professor Alex ...
Phys.org / Trapped gases in ancient rocks challenge global explanation for 2-billion-year-old carbon anomaly
Roughly 2.5–2 billion years ago, Earth's surface experienced the biggest chemical change in its history when oxygen became abundant in the atmosphere, eventually leading to the evolution of complex life forms such as plants ...
Phys.org / Machine learning predicts forest soil fungal diversity from drone images
Combining drone data and machine learning can help cover more ground in monitoring forest soil health, University of Alberta research shows. The findings are published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management. Using both ...
Phys.org / Discovery of 'slow' electrons in 2D material could lead to new memory device
Over the last decade, researchers have developed two-dimensional materials with fascinating quantum effects that could be harnessed for next-generation technologies.
Phys.org / Traditional plastic forks shed harmful microplastics. Plastic created from sugar is an alternative
At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are transformed into forks and films that won't leave persistent microplastics in the environment.
Dialog / Quantum heat circuits learn electronics' oldest trick: Sharing a power supply
Every electronic and optoelectronic device generates heat, and today that heat is managed almost entirely from the outside. Heatsinks, fans, cold plates and refrigerators are bulky exterior measures bolted onto a chip or ...
Phys.org / Oak leaves harbor distinct microbial worlds on their opposite surfaces
A single leaf may look like a simple patch of green, but to the microscopic life that inhabits it, it is a vast landscape divided into different worlds.
Phys.org / DNA repair enzymes favor specific sequences, shaping mutation patterns in the human genome
When a wound does not heal properly, it leaves a scar. Similarly, mutations—which are permanent changes to genetic code—are often the result of damaged DNA that has not been properly repaired. Mutations can impede the function ...
Phys.org / Illegal fishing captures up to 15% of global marine wild catch, analysis finds
Industrial-scale illegal fishing continues to undermine ocean sustainability, coastal livelihoods and global seafood markets—despite decades of regulation and recent advances in surveillance technology, according to new University ...
Phys.org / MRI study shows dogs can distinguish between human fear and sadness
Scientists—and dog lovers—have long known that dogs are remarkably good at interpreting our laughs, frowns and tears. But the biology behind this ability has remained largely unexplored until now. In a study published in ...
Phys.org / Water quality, not just scarcity, may shape future competition for a limited resource
Climate change is largely to blame for water scarcity. The low water levels in European rivers this summer speak volumes in that respect.
