Phys.org news
Phys.org / Why elite chess ratings get stuck: A new model treats draws as data
Here's a statistical challenge worthy of a grandmaster: How do you create an accurate ranking system when the best players usually don't win? This is the conundrum of elite chess. The stronger the players, the greater the ...
Phys.org / Seeing the whole from a part: Revealing hidden turbulent structures from limited observations and equations
The irregular, swirling motion of fluids we call turbulence can be found everywhere, from stirring in a teacup to currents in the planetary atmosphere. This phenomenon is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations—a set of ...
Phys.org / Bee bandits: How a yeast influences nectar-robbing behavior in bumble bees
From fundamental biological units as tiny as genes to complex societies, ecological systems rely on cooperation. All manner of organisms can benefit from working together to survive in a dog-eat-dog world. "Mutualism is a ...
Phys.org / Wireless sensor assesses subsoil health in effort to cut costs and refine farming
A new smart platform invented by Purdue University researchers to wirelessly monitor subsoil health could change the landscape of agricultural sensing systems. The invention addresses a critical need in agriculture nationwide: ...
Phys.org / DeepChopper model improves RNA sequencing research by mitigating chimera artifacts
Scientists in the laboratory of Rendong Yang, Ph.D., associate professor of Urology, have developed a new large language model that can interpret transcriptomic data in cancer cell lines more accurately than conventional ...
Phys.org / 3D 'polar chiral bobbers' identified in ferroelectric thin films
A novel type of three-dimensional (3D) polar topological structure, termed the "polar chiral bobber," has been discovered in ferroelectric oxide thin films, demonstrating promising potential for high-density multistate non-volatile ...
Phys.org / Deep-sea microbes get unexpected energy boost from marine snow, researchers discover
For many years, the deep ocean has been seen as a nutrient-poor environment where microbes living in the water survive on very limited resources. But new research from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) challenges that ...
Phys.org / Eco-friendly catalyst switches oxygen source based on particle size, study finds
As the climate crisis becomes a part of daily life with unprecedented heat waves and cold snaps, technology to effectively remove greenhouse gases is emerging as a critical global challenge. In particular, catalytic technology ...
Phys.org / Why does rough grinding make stainless steel more prone to corrosion?
Stainless steel is widely known for its impressive corrosion resistance, but it is not invincible. When exposed to environments containing chloride ions, such as seawater, the risk of corrosion increases. To achieve the sleek, ...
Phys.org / First evidence of a subsurface lava tube on Venus
Volcanic activity is not unique to Earth: traces of volcanic activity, such as lava tubes, have been found on Mars and the moon. Now, the University of Trento has demonstrated the existence of an empty lava tube even in the ...
Phys.org / A quick stretch switches this polymer's capacity to transport heat
Most materials have an inherent capacity to handle heat. Plastic, for instance, is typically a poor thermal conductor, whereas materials like marble move heat more efficiently. If you were to place one hand on a marble countertop ...
Phys.org / Nanodevice tugs single proteins to reveal how cells sense force
Physical forces from gravity, muscle contraction, and more have strong impacts on how the cells in our bodies behave. For instance, weight-bearing exercise helps stave off osteoporosis because cells in our bones sense that ...