Phys.org news

Phys.org / Sixteen AI-designed viruses offer a new route against drug-resistant bacteria

In a world first, scientists led by a team from Stanford University have created 16 viable viruses that do not exist in nature and were designed by AI. Their experiment, which is published in Science, could help in the fight ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / AI cyclone forecasts could add 30 hours of warning time

Tropical cyclones are among the most destructive natural forces on the planet, but predicting where they will go and how strong they will become is beset by challenges. Current methods are often good at tracking storm paths ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / DESI releases biggest 2D map of the universe

Hold on to your telescopes: The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys team has released the largest-ever 2D color map of the universe. The 5.6-trillion-pixel map contains nearly 4 billion celestial objects, primarily stars and galaxies. ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / When it comes to predicting people's preferences, it pays to consider 'the power of three'

In his 1927 paper, "A law of comparative judgment," the American psychologist L. L. Thurstone proposed that when people select one option among multiple alternatives, they are picking the one that has the highest value to ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / Trapped gases in ancient rocks challenge global explanation for 2-billion-year-old carbon anomaly

Roughly 2.5–2 billion years ago, Earth's surface experienced the biggest chemical change in its history when oxygen became abundant in the atmosphere, eventually leading to the evolution of complex life forms such as plants ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / Distant time crystals oscillate in unison, paving the way for spin networks

In January 2024, physicists at TU Dortmund University demonstrated a continuous time crystal in a semiconductor whose oscillations remained stable for hours. In a new study published in Nature Communications, Professor Alex ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / Discovery of 'slow' electrons in 2D material could lead to new memory device

Over the last decade, researchers have developed two-dimensional materials with fascinating quantum effects that could be harnessed for next-generation technologies.

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / Machine learning predicts forest soil fungal diversity from drone images

Combining drone data and machine learning can help cover more ground in monitoring forest soil health, University of Alberta research shows. The findings are published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management. Using both ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / Traditional plastic forks shed harmful microplastics. Plastic created from sugar is an alternative

At a Massachusetts lab, pebble-sized pellets are transformed into forks and films that won't leave persistent microplastics in the environment.

Aug 10, 2026
Dialog / Quantum heat circuits learn electronics' oldest trick: Sharing a power supply

Every electronic and optoelectronic device generates heat, and today that heat is managed almost entirely from the outside. Heatsinks, fans, cold plates and refrigerators are bulky exterior measures bolted onto a chip or ...

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / Oak leaves harbor distinct microbial worlds on their opposite surfaces

A single leaf may look like a simple patch of green, but to the microscopic life that inhabits it, it is a vast landscape divided into different worlds.

Aug 10, 2026
Phys.org / DNA repair enzymes favor specific sequences, shaping mutation patterns in the human genome

When a wound does not heal properly, it leaves a scar. Similarly, mutations—which are permanent changes to genetic code—are often the result of damaged DNA that has not been properly repaired. Mutations can impede the function ...

Aug 10, 2026