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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Other Sciences
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Physics
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
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: ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Nanotechnology
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Biology
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Chemistry
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, ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Chemistry
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Chemistry
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 ...

Feb 9, 2026 in Nanotechnology