Phys.org news

Phys.org / Forever chemicals break apart into fluoride under UV treatment, revealing a cleanup roadmap

UC Riverside environmental engineers have identified key chemical reactions that occur when ultraviolet light is used to destroy "forever chemical" pollutants in water, providing a roadmap for developing more effective cleanup ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / OpenAI says 10,000 AI agents cracked one of math's hardest problems in 88 hours

OpenAI said Tuesday that one of its unreleased artificial intelligence models had solved a mathematical puzzle that has eluded mathematicians for generations, a claim that also drew a fight with rival researchers over credit.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / A 'wholistic' view of cellular communication across an entire animal

It can't be heard, but different parts of the human body are in constant conversation, communicating to keep the entire system running efficiently. For biologists, being able to listen in on this discussion is a long-sought-after ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / How we manage and engage with horses may shape their personality

A new study reveals that horse personality is not only a matter of genetics, age or breed but also systematically linked to how horses are housed, ridden and cared for, and to the quality of the relationship they share with ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Petrochemical industry emissions could climb 50% by 2050, global mapping suggests

Carbon emissions from the petrochemical industry could increase by 50% by 2050, according to new research from the University of Sheffield. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, provides the most detailed data to ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Physics-aware benchmark reveals why similar materials AI models can predict thermal conductivity differently

Material properties such as sound insulation, resistance to extreme heat and thermal expansion originate from how the zillions of microscopic building blocks (nuclei and electrons) interact at equilibrium and respond to perturbations. ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Families' interest in their kids' education is falling around the globe as scores drop, test shows

Families' interest in their kids' education is falling in many high-income countries as school systems struggle with plunging test scores, according to newly released results from a standardized test taken by 15-year-olds ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient DNA reveals 1,000 years of human-environment interactions at Crawford Lake

An international team of scientists has recreated a 1,000-year timeline documenting ecological changes and human impact on the area surrounding Crawford Lake, the famed location of the proposed Anthropocene.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / How 'parachute science' is failing the world's tropical insects

Monash University scientists have developed a global framework to tackle a major blind spot in biodiversity conservation: Insects underpin ecosystems and food production but remain largely invisible to conservation efforts ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Taxing billionaires and redistributing wealth could save millions of lives amid global aid cuts

Wealth redistribution policies currently under discussion in international forums could avert between 6.6 million and 29.5 million deaths by 2030, according to a study published in The Lancet and led by ISGlobal in collaboration ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / More than numbers: First global dataset shows who is immigrating

As countries compete for skilled workers and grapple with aging populations and labor shortages, understanding who is moving across borders is increasingly important. A new study provides the first global data set of immigration ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Local microbes persist in wine despite commercial yeast

A new study has demonstrated that regional microbial imprints can remain detectable under commercial winemaking conditions. The research, appearing in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, shows that inoculated fermentations ...

Sep 9, 2026