Phys.org news

Phys.org / Mathematical signature spots when competition is fair, winner-take-all, or too soft

A University of Houston researcher and his collaborators have developed a mathematical model that helps identify whether a competitive environment is healthy, stagnant or skewed. Published in the journal npj Complexity, the ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Keeping up with the phages: How V. cholerae neighbors swap defenses against viruses

Like most bacteria, Vibrio cholerae lives under constant attack from viruses. To survive, bacteria equip themselves with antiviral immune systems. Previous work has shown that V. cholerae carries a large genetic element called ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / New AI method flags fluid flow tipping points before simulations break down

David J. Silvester, a mathematics professor at the University of Manchester, has developed a novel machine-learning method to detect sudden changes in fluid behavior, improving speed and the cost of identifying these instabilities ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Houston, we have a problem ... with the toilet

After a successful trip around the moon, everything has been going smoothly on the Orion spacecraft's journey back to Earth—except for the $23 million toilet, which has gotten clogged.

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Rock bonding changes understanding of earthquake mechanics

When tectonic plates move, they rarely do so smoothly. Sometimes they slide almost imperceptibly; at other times, stress is suddenly released—resulting in an earthquake. What exactly governs this behavior remains one of the ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Examining embryo model ethics beyond box-checking

In science, ethical guidelines ensure that research takes place in a way that respects public trust and is conducted responsibly. Traditional ethics approval procedures work well for projects following established practices, ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Ant larvae control parental care by using odor signals

In the clonal raider ant (Ooceraea biroi), workers in a colony alternate between caring for larvae and laying eggs in a coordinated cycle. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena have discovered ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Soundscapes from nearby forests are more uplifting than those from faraway places, research suggests

Listening to one-minute-long audio recordings of forests had positive effects on people's short-term well-being, especially when the recordings were from local temperate forests. Study participants residing in Germany perceived ...

Apr 9, 2026
Phys.org / Why doesn't the US recycle more plastic? Study points to lack of access

A new University at Buffalo study finds that people in the United States generate similar amounts of plastic packaging waste regardless of income, education level or where they live. Yet wealthier and more college-educated ...

Apr 8, 2026
Phys.org / AI trained like a Rubik's Cube solver simplifies particle physics equations

For years, Rutgers physicist David Shih solved Rubik's Cubes with his children, twisting the colorful squares until the scrambled puzzle returned to order. He didn't expect the toy to connect to his research, but recently ...

Apr 8, 2026
Phys.org / The lengths male octopuses go to protect the arm they need to mate

For mating male octopuses, one limb is more important than all others. That is the third right arm or hectocotylus, which is used to transfer sperm to the female because the penis cannot do it directly. Losing the limb can ...

Apr 8, 2026
Phys.org / Physicists zero in on the mass of the fundamental W boson particle

When fundamental particles are heavier or lighter than expected, physicists' understanding of the universe can tip into the unknown. A particle that is just beyond its predicted mass can unravel scientists' assumptions about ...

Apr 8, 2026