Phys.org news

Phys.org / A young gull's mottled brown plumage acts as a 'not a threat' signal to territorial adults

Birds are known for their distinctive plumage that helps them attract mates during the breeding season. For some birds, the path to adulthood is quite linear. One day they are chicks, and a few months later they are fully ...

Jul 4, 2026
Phys.org / Optical writing of antiferromagnets points toward new storage devices and energy efficient information systems

A German-Japanese research team involving the University of Augsburg has made a significant breakthrough in the use of antiferromagnets. For the first time, the team has succeeded in writing magnetic information using only ...

Jul 4, 2026
Phys.org / Common nanostructures may explain shared photoproperties in two widespread dark materials

A newly developed framework for understanding the photoproperties of both natural organic matter and eumelanin, a natural pigment responsible for dark colors in organisms, may inspire advanced sustainable technologies, scientists ...

Jul 4, 2026
Phys.org / One for the history books: What we know about the European heat wave

Europe is still taking stock of a powerful heat wave in late June, but experts are already confident it ranks among the worst ever recorded—even rivaling a freak 2003 episode.

Jul 4, 2026
Dialog / Bacterial protein reveals a hidden rule for controlling calcium

A small change in acidity can transform the world around us. A squeeze of lemon changes the taste of food. Vinegar preserves vegetables. Stomach acid helps break down a meal. These familiar effects come from protons—tiny ...

Jul 4, 2026
Phys.org / New species of ghost shark may have been found in Costa Rica

Costa Rican scientists may have discovered a new species of ghost shark in Pacific waters near Cabo Blanco and Cano Island.

Jul 4, 2026
Phys.org / Antarctic ozone loss drove unexpected Southern Ocean cooling, climate model shows

The Southern Ocean has long stood out as an oddity in the global climate system. While most of the planet's surface oceans have warmed in response to rising greenhouse gases, waters circling Antarctica showed an unexpected ...

Jul 3, 2026
Phys.org / JWST discovers a new barred spiral galaxy

An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a new massive barred spiral galaxy. The newfound galaxy, designated M1149-BSG-z5, was identified using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The finding was detailed ...

Jul 3, 2026
Phys.org / Researchers recreate a lost Ming Dynasty goldworking technique to make replica royal jewelry

Chinese goldsmiths working during the Ming Dynasty were masters of their craft, capable of creating intricate and elaborate jewelry pieces. The evidence is there in the abundance of finds in royal and noble tombs across Hubei ...

Jul 3, 2026
Phys.org / Songs play a greater role than plumage color in limiting bird hybridization, study suggests

When trying to attract and recognize potential mates, animals are known to rely on various signals, traits and behaviors. In the case of birds, these signals can typically include a wide range of sounds—such as trills, whistles, ...

Jul 3, 2026
Phys.org / Natural born killers—tracking immune cells as they cluster around cancer

There is a constant war going on in your body. Working against you are viruses and cancer cells growing uncontrollably, threatening your tissues and organs. Fighting on your side are immune cells such as lymphocytes, a type ...

Jul 3, 2026
Phys.org / Mammals use the same underlying system—preserved through evolution—to process smells

Picture a mouse taking rapid, staccato sniffs of a crumb it's found while foraging for food. Now compare that with a human leaning in for a single, deep inhale to gauge whether a cantaloupe is ripe. New research from Northwestern ...

Jul 3, 2026