Phys.org news

Phys.org / Rising seasonal sea-level swings are under-reported, but could have a major impact

Sea levels are rising not only on average, but also in their seasonal fluctuations. This is a lesser-known trend that could have major consequences for mudflats, salt marshes and other coastal ecosystems. Researchers from ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / Statistical technique could uncover secrets of 'ringing' black holes

Researchers have developed a technique to analyze how black holes "ring" when they collide and merge: one of the universe's most dramatic events. When black holes merge, the collision produces a new, larger black hole that ...

May 13, 2026
Dialog / Researchers identify stability range for piezoelectric glycine using nanoconfinement

Have you ever wondered if the simple building blocks of life could one day power our wearable electronics? Glycine, the simplest amino acid found in our bodies, has a superpower in its β-phase form: it is highly piezoelectric, ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / From molecules to meaning: A search engine developed for the chemistry of life

An international team led by researchers at University of California San Diego and University of California, Riverside has developed a free, web-based platform designed to make public metabolomics data more accessible. By ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / Identity traits sharply narrow who becomes friends or marries, model reveals

Our personal identity is composed of many dimensions, such as age, gender, ethnic background, or socioeconomic status. A research team led by Fariba Karimi from the Institute of Human-Centered Computing at Graz University ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / 3D atomic rearrangement creates 40,000 quantum defects in 40 minutes

It's been 37 years since scientists first demonstrated the ability to move single atoms, suggesting the possibility of designing materials atom by atom to customize their properties. Today there are several techniques that ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / Geologists in films are the good guys... but they often die

It all began with a perfectly ordinary chat over coffee between four researchers. How many films featuring geologists can we think of? Quite quickly, the colleagues were able to come up with about 10 films. But then the scientific ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / Electrified route to epoxides could cut costs and pollution with common catalyst

When you hear the word "epoxide," what do you think? If anything, likely "glue." But epoxides are quite common in our everyday lives. You might be sitting on a foam seat cushion made from epoxides. There is a good chance ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / How flies dodge so fast: Brain map reveals rare synapses behind split-second escapes

Have you ever wondered how a fly manages to dodge you in a split second? Scientists have long been fascinated by the lightning-fast reflexes that help flies escape danger almost instantly. But despite decades of research, ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / The dam dilemma: How to build anew without repeating old harms

As the U.S. and other countries expand clean energy, large hydropower dams, often seen as a reliable renewable solution, can come with significant environmental and social costs if not planned thoughtfully.

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / Gold nanoparticles that behave like a liquid open path to adaptive materials

When inorganic nanoparticles come together, their optical, electronic, and magnetic properties depend strongly on how they are arranged. Being able to reorganize these arrangements in a controlled way could therefore provide ...

May 13, 2026
Phys.org / AI generates first complete models of proteins in motion

Many drug and antibody discovery pathways focus on intricately folded cell membrane proteins. When molecules of a drug candidate bind to these proteins, like a key going into a lock, they trigger chemical cascades that alter ...

May 13, 2026