Phys.org news

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 / 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
Phys.org / 3D magnetic-field control reveals new way to tune spin textures

(Fe0.63Ni0.3Pd0.07)3P, or FNPP, is a magnetic material that exhibits complex magnetic structures even at room temperature. This makes the material of interest for spintronics, a field that could enable data processing with ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Discontinuity and disorder: Explaining the luminosity bump in evolved stars

Toward the end of their lives, low-mass stars undergo an abrupt dip in brightness, also known as the luminosity bump. While the endpoint of this bump is well understood, its onset has remained elusive. Now, in a paper published ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Fossil ribs reveal new secrets about ichthyosaur swimming technique

Ichthyosaurs ruled the oceans for 150 million years during the Mesozoic Era. Their fish-shaped bodies were built for high speeds. In that context, it is normally an advantage to be as light as possible.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / These bacteria can change their diet to survive inside the body

The human body fights staph infections by starving it of essential nutrients. Staph, it turns out, is remarkably good at changing what's on the menu. Staphylococcus aureus—the infamous agent behind MRSA and most staph infections—needs ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / New AI model for DNA learns from evolution to unlock secrets of the human genome

More than two decades after scientists first sequenced the entire human genome—all 3 billion base pairs, of DNA code—the meaning of much of this code remains a mystery.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / Researchers chart new course for AI-powered biomedical discoveries

University of Missouri researchers are paving the way as artificial intelligence transforms biomedical research. A team from the College of Engineering and collaborators recently published one of the most comprehensive reviews ...

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / First Denisovan forearm bone discovered in southwest China

Scientists have discovered various Denisovan remains in Southwest China dating to the late Middle Pleistocene, including the first Denisovan radius—one of two long bones in the forearm.

Sep 9, 2026
Phys.org / 'Here, There and Everywhere': The Beatles have permeated research papers across academic disciplines

More than 3,000 scientific article titles across disciplines have made use of Beatles song titles and lyrics, according to a study published in PLOS One by Gabriel Budel of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands ...

Sep 9, 2026