Phys.org news

Phys.org / Crystals of space and time: A structural phenomenon that may collapse into tiny black holes

A team from Vienna and Frankfurt has found a formula describing a strange phenomenon: Space and time can form a kind of "crystal" that may turn into a black hole. The results are described in Physical Review Letters.

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Molecule-in-a-crystal system could boost quantum computing via chemically engineered qubits

Within a crystal's atomic structure, tiny atomic-scale flaws will naturally occur where electrons can become trapped. These defects have emerged as one of the leading platforms for quantum information processing. Through ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient seas get a new T. rex as massive mosasaur emerges from Texas fossils

There's a new T. rex in the fossil record, only this one terrorized the ancient seas. New research led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, and Southern ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Chimpanzees reveal 69 socially learned behaviors, nearly doubling known cultural repertoire

Scientists have identified dozens of previously overlooked cultural behaviors in wild chimpanzees, suggesting that the great ape's culture extends far beyond complex skills like tool use. In a single community, they found ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Romania dig uncovers 350-square-meter megastructure in 45-house prehistoric settlement

Researchers from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have found new indications of how large prehistoric settlements were organized. Their research focused on a special type of building known as a megastructure. ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Saturn-sized exoplanet with Earth-like temperature reveals methane-rich atmosphere

A planet that is about the size of Saturn, but with a temperature more like Earth's, has an atmosphere rich in methane, according to a new study using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / How does gold keep its glitter? Researchers uncover why it resists tarnish

Gold has been prized for thousands of years for its enduring shine, but Tulane University researchers have discovered that gold's resistance to tarnishing depends on more than its chemistry.

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Particle-by-particle tracking reveals uneven nanoparticle drug release

Precision medicine aims to transport therapeutic agents, such as molecules, proteins or RNA, to the exact place where they need to act within the body. One of the most promising strategies is the use of nanocarriers: nanoparticles ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Complexity isn't subjective—the right amount results in new material properties

Complexity may seem subjective, but a quantitative measure of the complexity of nanomaterials was recently developed by a team of researchers from the University of Michigan Engineering, the University of Southern California ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Why promising CO₂-to-fuel catalysts keep falling short of copper

Technology that converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into fuels and plastic feedstocks using electricity is gaining attention as a core technology in the era of carbon neutrality. In particular, ethylene and ethanol are high-value ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / Bacteria found in artisan cheeses may ease disease

Blessed are the tiny cheesemakers: scientists have mapped out the bacteria responsible for giving three British cheeses their distinct flavor, which may also be beneficial to human health. Scientists in the Food Microbial ...

May 21, 2026
Phys.org / NASA's AWE instrument completes mission to study Earth's effect on space weather

On May 21, ground controllers powered down NASA's AWE (Atmospheric Waves Experiment) instrument, bringing the data collection phase of the mission to a successful and scheduled end, surpassing its planned two-year mission.

May 21, 2026