Phys.org news

Phys.org / Famous puzzle-solving chimps lost 20 years of life after harsh Berlin winters

A University of Auckland scientist has uncovered the fates of chimpanzees who starred in seminal psychological studies of the early 20th century.

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Invasive aoudad pose deadly risk to native bighorn sheep

An invasive species found across West Texas may pose a greater threat to native bighorn sheep than previously understood.

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Hidden in plain sight: Caribbean reef fish nestle in tube worms, revealing previously undocumented partnership

On Caribbean coral reefs, an unlikely partnership has gone largely unnoticed: Tiny fish regularly nestle within the feathery structures of tube worms. While these sensitive worms typically snap shut at the slightest disturbance, ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Chemists make elusive carbon-bridged sandwich molecule once thought too strained to exist

Progress in chemistry is often gradual, with some of its most important advances taking years—sometimes decades—to unfold. A case in point is the discovery of a novel "ferrocenophane" from the class of compounds known as ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Solving a 30-year-old puzzle about a mysterious superconducting material

A material made from yttrium, barium and copper oxide (better known as YBCO) has intrigued scientists since its discovery in 1987, largely because it retains its superconductive properties at a higher-than-normal temperature. ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Study reveals how gas bubbles shaped Kīlauea's 2018 lava flow

The lava that buried entire neighborhoods during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption was composed of nearly 80% gas bubbles near its source. A recent study shows that those bubbles played a central role in controlling how fast and ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Brazil's highland forest has been shaped by climate change and Indigenous people for 6,000 years

When you think of a South American rainforest, you probably don't imagine biting winds, heavy frosts and freezing temperatures. But in the mountains of southern Brazil, that's exactly what you can find. On this highland plateau, ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / 3D-printable elastic polymer proves surprisingly strong and durable

EPFL researchers have discovered that a soft material originally optimized for 3D printing may solve a longstanding challenge in materials science: making 3D-printable elastomers both tough and durable.

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Widely-used method for assessing stream health doesn't work very well

A new study finds a widely used technique for assessing the health of freshwater streams is not effective at detecting a range of water quality problems, including those related to acidity, oxygen levels and the presence ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Major earthquakes can affect Southeast Asia sea-level projections

Earth scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have published an international study showing that major earthquakes in Southeast Asia can affect regional relative sea-level projections.

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / 2.5 million stem cells reveal first genome-scale guide to gene function

A team led by bioengineers at the University of California San Diego has developed a genome-scale reference map that details how individual genes control the functions and identities of human stem cells. This open-access ...

Jul 13, 2026
Phys.org / Oobleck droplets reveal 5 ways cornstarch 'goo' behaves when hitting water

Cornstarch can thicken soup or serve as a base for a DIY shampoo, but there's more to the humble pantry staple. Given the right conditions, it seems to defy the laws of physics. Mixing cornstarch with water creates "oobleck"—a ...

Jul 13, 2026