Phys.org news

Phys.org / The path to solar weather forecasts is paved with drops in cosmic rays

At times, the sun ejects energetic material into space, which can have consequences for space-based and even ground-based electronic technology. Researchers aim to understand this phenomenon and find ways to forecast it, ...

Jan 13, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Sailboat measurements improve estimates of ocean CO₂ uptake

During training cruises and regattas, sailors collect valuable data for climate research at sea. A study appearing in Science Advances showed that this data can help improve estimates of the marine carbon sink.

Jan 13, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / This crystal sings back: Study sheds light on magnetochiral instability

Researchers from The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have reported the first observation of a dynamic magnetochiral instability in a solid-state material. Their findings, published ...

Jan 13, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Impact of darkwaves on marine ecosystems revealed

An international team of scientists has developed ways to measure and compare the impact of "darkwaves"—when extreme weather events or human activities reduce underwater light for extended periods, affecting the stability ...

Jan 13, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / 'Nu' citation index may bridge gap between productivity and impact metrics

Researchers propose a new citation index that balances productivity and impact in academic publishing. The h-index of citations was introduced in 2005 by physicist Jorge E. Hirsch. This index is defined simply as the maximum ...

Jan 13, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Sinking boreal trees in the deep Arctic Ocean could remove billions of tons of carbon each year

Global efforts to reduce pollution will not be enough to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, scientists say. We will also need to extract over 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year for the ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Complex life on planets orbiting the galaxy's most common stars may be unlikely

In a blow to anyone dreaming that complex life may exist elsewhere in the universe, a new study suggests we're unlikely to find it around many of the most common stars in the galaxy.

Jan 12, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Persistent shock wave around dead star puzzles astronomers

Gas and dust flowing from stars can, under the right conditions, clash with a star's surroundings and create a shock wave. Now, astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) have imaged ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Aerosol pollution found to thicken fog over Northern India—especially at night

Frequent, thick winter fog events are a common nuisance in Northern India, exacerbated by heavy air pollution and dense aerosol concentrations. Because these fog events often cause major disruptions to transportation and ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Microplastics found in rural woodland at higher levels than in city centers

Air-polluting microplastics have been found in rural environments in greater quantities than in urban locations, researchers say. Scientists led by the University of Leeds detected up to 500 microscopic particles of plastic ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Asteroseismology study probes properties of newly discovered pulsating white dwarf

Chinese astronomers have conducted an asteroseismology study of a newly discovered pulsating white dwarf designated WFST J053009.62+595557.0, or WFST J0530 for short. The new findings, presented January 2 on the arXiv pre-print ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Atom-thin, content-addressable memory enables edge AI applications

Recent advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) have opened new exciting possibilities for the rapid analysis of data, the sourcing of information and the generation of use-specific content. To run AI models, ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Nanotechnology