Phys.org news
Phys.org / 'Black hole stars'—Webb finds strongest evidence yet
The complex puzzle known as little red dots has become more complete since their initial discovery by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in 2022. Now a particular little red dot's spectrum is helping connect many of the pieces.
Phys.org / Human evolution was messy and gradual, not an abrupt revolution, argues archaeologist
It is generally accepted by archaeologists that modern humans originated in Africa and dispersed worldwide, while other hominins went extinct. Yet how and when Homo sapiens dispersed out of Africa, and whether it was an abrupt ...
Phys.org / Chimpanzees react negatively to unfairness, especially when close partners are nearby
Primates, including humans, are among the social animals living on Earth. Their survival relies heavily on cooperation with others, alliances, the sharing of resources and other social interactions.
Phys.org / JWST reveals dawn-dusk atmosphere split on ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-121 b
Astronomers have revealed distinct differences in atmospheric conditions between the morning and evening transition zones of the ultra-hot gas planet WASP-121 b, which separate day from night, commonly called terminators. ...
Phys.org / Is your dog a lefty? New 'Doginburgh' test captures paw preference
Just like left- or right-handed humans, domestic dogs have a preference for their left or right paw, a trait known as laterality. This can vary depending on the tasks they perform, which has made it difficult to create a ...
Phys.org / An underground detector in China unveils its first major findings about mysterious ghost particles
A massive underground detector aimed at understanding the mysterious ghost particles in our universe released its first major results on Wednesday.
Phys.org / Silver nanoparticles pave the way for precise DNA cutting and joining
DNA is composed of long chains that act as the blueprint for living organisms. In genetic engineering, scientists cut DNA at specific sites and join the resulting fragments to other DNA sequences, enabling applications such ...
Phys.org / AI helps reveal large-scale quantum effects hidden in stacked atomic sheets
Quantum materials are a class of exotic materials with special properties that are governed by quantum mechanics rather than classical physics. Those properties—like superconductivity, entanglement and unusual forms of magnetism—often ...
Phys.org / Fossil discovery shows the interaction between giant marine reptiles
Approximately 160 million years ago, during the Age of Dinosaurs, giant marine reptiles ruled the seas. One such creature, an ichthyosaur, swam in a sea near present-day Peterborough, England. This huge animal, shaped like ...
Phys.org / Coastal land shifts reveal faster local sea level rise than expected
For almost a century, researchers have known that vertical land motion—the lifting and sinking of the ground—affects sea level locally. As the ground sinks, the sea level rises relative to the land. Scientists also assumed ...
Phys.org / 80-atom boron 'buckyball' finally steps into nanotechnology's spotlight
The nanoscale world appears to have a new ball to kick around. Researchers from Brown University have shown the first experimental evidence for a "buckyball" molecule made from 80 boron atoms. The new structure is the cousin ...
Phys.org / Global warming hit 1.37°C in 2025, with Earth accumulating heat at an accelerating rate
Strong and consistent evidence shows that the entire climate system is continuing to heat, driving rapid global warming. Human activities pushed global warming to 1.37°C in 2025, and its level is projected to surpass 1.5°C ...
