Phys.org news

Phys.org / Hubble identifies a near-invisible galaxy that may be 99% dark matter

In the vast tapestry of the universe, most galaxies shine brightly across cosmic time and space. Yet a rare class of galaxies remains nearly invisible—low-surface-brightness galaxies dominated by dark matter and containing ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Cosmic predators: How supermassive black holes slow star growth in nearby galaxies

Intense radiation emitted by active supermassive black holes—thought to reside at the center of most, if not all, galaxies—can slow star growth not just in their host galaxy, but also in galaxies millions of light-years ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Chitosan-nickel biomaterial becomes stronger when wet, and could replace plastics

A new study led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has unveiled the first biomaterial that is not only waterproof but actually becomes stronger in contact with water. The material is produced by the incorporation ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / The Princess of Bagicz: Dendrochronology settles debate over age of rare Roman-era wooden coffin

Dr. Marta Chmiel-Chrzanowska and her colleagues conducted a multidisciplinary analysis of the only known preserved wooden coffin from the Roman Iron Age, the Princess of Bagicz. The study, published in Archaeometry, used ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Giant DNA viruses encode their own eukaryote-like translation machinery, researchers discover

In a new study, published in Cell, researchers describe a newfound mechanism for creating proteins in a giant DNA virus, comparable to a mechanism in eukaryotic cells. The finding challenges the dogma that viruses lack protein ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Measuring chaos: Researchers quantify the quantum butterfly effect

For the first time, researchers in China have accurately quantified how chaos increases in a quantum many-body system as it evolves over time. Combining experiments and theory, a team led by Yu-Chen Li at the University of ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Ultra-stable lasers that rely on crystalline mirrors could advance next-generation clocks and navigation

Lasers, devices that emit intense beams of coherent light in specific directions, are widely used in research settings and are central components of various technologies, including optical clocks (i.e., systems that can keep ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / A super stable laser on the moon could guide future lunar missions and improve our timekeeping

Scientists are proposing to build a laser in a crater on the moon to help future lunar missions land safely in the dark and find their way around. This ultra-stable light source could also help us keep time more accurately, ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Araish spiral galaxy observations uncover a 26,700-light-year radio jet

An international team of astronomers has performed multi-wavelength observations of the nearby Araish galaxy to investigate the origin of its radio emission. As a result, they detected an extended radio jet of this galaxy. ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Colonists dredged away Sydney's natural oyster reefs. Now, scientists know how best to restore them

New research has identified optimal design for artificial habitats to support restoration of oyster reefs, based on a detailed understanding of natural oyster reef geometry. Published in the global journal Nature, the Sydney-based ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / How the humble silkworm could help us discover new anti-aging treatments

When scientists want to study aging and how to slow it down, they often turn to microscopic worms or lab mice among other models. The former are too different from humans, while the latter are expensive and take too long ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / The cooling system that lets bees beat the heat when hovering

To stay in the air when hovering over a flower, bumble bees continually flap their wings rapidly, a metabolic process that generates a massive amount of internal heat. Their flight muscles work so intensely that they can ...

Feb 18, 2026 in Biology