Phys.org news

Phys.org / Underwater meadows sustain millions in extreme poverty

A study provides the first large-scale empirical evidence that seagrass meadows act as a critical safety net for millions of coastal people living in extreme poverty across the Indo-Pacific.

Sep 3, 2026
Phys.org / Biodegradable 'nanobone' could one day help regrow bone without painful grafts

For children born with cleft lip and palate, repairing gaps in the jawbone often means waiting until they are 10 to 12 years old before undergoing invasive bone graft surgery. University of Sydney researchers have developed ...

Sep 3, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists observe Einstein's gravity in the quantum world

An international team including Nobel Prize-winning physicist Professor Sir Roger Penrose has observed a long-predicted effect of gravity on a falling quantum object for the first time. The result shows that a fundamental ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Physicists test the weak equivalence principle in an orbiting space station

The weak equivalence principle (WEP) is central to Einstein's general relativity. It posits that gravity must accelerate everything equally, regardless of what it is made from. For the first time, a team led by Ming-Sheng ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / More than 120 molecular species found in giant cloud near Milky Way's center

Astronomers have discovered a second interstellar cloud near the center of the Milky Way that is extraordinarily rich in complex molecules, including several molecules associated with prebiotic chemistry. The newly studied ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Sorry, this neutrino laser won't work, physicists say

Neutrinos are pervasive yet intangible particles that permeate the universe, streaming through whole planets, stars and our bodies by the trillions each second. The elementary particles are often described as "ghostly" for ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Weak sea-surface temperature gradients may fuel stronger tropical cyclones

The fact that the ocean gets colder as you go deeper is fairly intuitive, but a similar gradient exists along the surface of the ocean, even at scales of 1 kilometer to tens of kilometers. A new study, published in the Proceedings ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / When biology inspires mathematics: Hidden symmetries explain why widely used evolutionary methods can give false answers

Why do some groups of organisms contain thousands of species while others have only a handful? Evolutionary biologists have spent decades trying to answer this question using mathematical models that estimate how biological ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Peacock-like displays outpace antlers and tusks in evolutionary change, model suggests

Many animal species, ranging from peacocks and birds of paradise to some lizards, fish and beetles, display physical features or ornaments that can attract potential mates. These ornaments can include colorful plumage, elaborate ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Iguanodon shinbone growth may be first evidence of an infected skin ulcer in a dinosaur

Fossilized bones can reveal a wealth of details about animals, including their size, appearance, what they ate and any injuries they may have suffered. In a paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, researchers ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Hubble tracks new decagon encircling Saturn's south pole

Recent observations with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have revealed a giant, evolving, 10-sided atmospheric wave encircling Saturn's south pole. This discovery marks the first time a large, regular-sided jet pattern has ...

Sep 2, 2026
Phys.org / Five-metal 2D catalysts could convert CO₂ to CO without needing an extra electrical boost

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is usually discussed as something the world needs to get rid of. Activities such as the burning of fossil fuels for daily use, including electricity and transportation, and industrial applications release ...

Sep 2, 2026