Phys.org news

Phys.org / JWST discovers that Chariklo's invisible rings are changing

Until just over a decade ago, ring systems were thought to be exclusive to the giant planets of the solar system, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. However, in 2013, a small body barely 250 kilometers (155 miles) ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Helium measurements clarify conditions seconds after the Big Bang

New observations of the composition of distant galaxies offer insights into the earliest phases of the universe and confirm decades of scientific understanding of the elements and particles produced by the Big Bang, according ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Canada's last epishelf lake is gone for good, study confirms

Canada's last epishelf lake drained into the Arctic Ocean following the 2020 breakup of the Milne Ice Shelf and will not recover, a new study confirms.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / How adoption of a new crop reshaped land use in Bronze Age Europe

A new study published in Science Advances reveals how Bronze Age communities in Central Europe adapted to changing environmental and social conditions by adopting broomcorn millet, a fast-growing, climate-resilient crop.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Decades-old DNA mystery solved after strands are captured zipping together for the first time

Researchers have captured the moment two DNA molecules zip together, overcoming their identical negative charges to pair up and revealing a mechanism that has puzzled scientists for more than 20 years. Using high-powered ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Beryllium signal identifies stars that have swallowed rocky planets

An international team led by researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil has developed an innovative method to identify stars that have consumed the planets around them. The technique detects variations in ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Electrochemical system extracts pure hydrogen from ammonia at substantially lower temperatures

As a liquid that is easily stored and transported, ammonia (NH3) is an attractive carrier for hydrogen, which is used in fuel cells, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical processing and other applications. However, breaking ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Chandra uncovers 'hypersoft X-ray sources' that may solve two astrophysical puzzles

Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, scientists have discovered a new class of objects behaving unlike any they have seen before. Astronomers suggest these newly spotted objects in other galaxies may help solve not one, ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Cacao genetics could help breeders reduce heavy metal levels in cocoa beans

Cadmium is a naturally occurring, toxic heavy metal found in many soils across Latin America and the Caribbean, where cacao trees are widely cultivated. It makes its way into cocoa seeds, called beans, that are roasted and ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Anak Krakatau erupts, disrupting 300,000 travelers as 1883 disaster looms large

Indonesia's Mount Anak Krakatau has erupted again this week, sending plumes of volcanic ash high into the sky and disrupting hundreds of flights. More than 300,000 passengers have been affected.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Molecular surface design achieves over 100 million-fold tuning of porous liquid viscosity

Porous liquids combine permanent nanoscale cavities with fluidity, making them promising for applications like carbon dioxide capture, gas separation and other chemical processes. Their viscosity must be tailored to the intended ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Natural clay reveals a new way to control ion transport at the angstrom scale

Researchers at the National Graphene Institute have shown that naturally occurring channels within a common clay mineral can respond to pressure, voltage and pH, offering possibilities for controlling the movement of ions ...

Sep 9, 2026