Phys.org news

Phys.org / Heavy-element exotic dust may solve a neutron star merger mystery

When neutron stars merge, they create a powerful explosion called a kilonova that flings out neutron-rich material, some of which decays into heavy elements through a process called the r-process. Recent observations of kilonovae ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Bio-metal: Exploring the metallic mystery of an ancient maw

When playing the classic game "20 Questions," one may begin with the common opener: "Animal, vegetable, or mineral?"

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Onion-like chemical halos may surround phytoplankton that power half of global photosynthesis

The interactions between microscopic algal cells and bacteria in the oceans play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle. Researchers at ETH Zurich have now taken an important step toward deciphering the chemical language ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / New mechanism shows how plants rapidly adapt to intense sunlight

Plants do not wait hours to respond to intense sunlight—they react within minutes. Researchers at Bielefeld University and the Australian National University have discovered a new signaling pathway that enables plants to ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Data-driven tool can find mineral biosignatures on other worlds

A technique for judging whether a common mineral formed through biological activity could aid the search for ancient life on Earth and Mars. Apatite is a ubiquitous phosphate mineral found in terrestrial and extraterrestrial ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Space cargo costs could fall more than 90% by 2040, study suggests

The expense of launching cargo into space will plummet over the next few years, with the cost of reaching orbit forecast to more than halve between now and the end of the decade, and fall by around 93% by 2040, according ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Research brings the era of microbial cell factories one step closer

The era of "biomanufacturing," in which microbes, not petroleum, produce chemical products, is one step closer. A KAIST research team has analyzed the key challenges limiting the commercialization of biomanufacturing and ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Statistical test helps judge the value of personalization

From precision medicine to personalized job training, customizing interventions for individuals is often assumed to produce better outcomes than a one-size-fits-all approach. But personalization also comes with costs: it ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Six years of drought reshape soil microbiomes in tallgrass prairie, study finds

A new study tracking soil microbial communities across six years of experimental drought in a tallgrass prairie finds that prolonged water stress diminishes biodiversity, pushing communities toward less predictable, harder-to-reverse ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Twisted ultrathin magnet retains magnetization after field changes, study finds

The properties of ultrathin magnets can be specifically altered by a slight twist between two atomic monolayers. This is the conclusion reached by an international research team led by TU Darmstadt in a study published in ...

Jul 14, 2026
Phys.org / Highly filled liquid epoxy for smaller, more reliable chip packaging

As computer chips become more powerful and compact, the materials that protect them must perform better than ever. In advanced chip packaging, liquid epoxy is widely used because it can flow into tiny spaces before curing ...

Jul 14, 2026
Dialog / How the built environment can help protect mental health in a changing climate

When people think about climate change, they often picture melting glaciers, stronger storms, rising temperatures, or prolonged droughts. These visible consequences dominate headlines and shape public discussions. Yet another ...

Jul 14, 2026