Land use and irrigation yield a change in the weather in the Corn Belt

The sweeping land use changes and irrigation of the U.S. Corn Belt, along with the influence of the area's shallow groundwater, have significantly altered precipitation patterns in that vital agricultural region, new research shows. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

How we classify flood risk may give developers and home buyers a false sense of security

Common methods of communicating flood risk may create a false sense of security, leading to increased development in areas threatened by flooding. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

Advanced method produces highly realistic simulations of fluid dynamics

Computer scientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a method for generating highly realistic computer-generated images of fluid dynamics in elements such as smoke. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

A fast-moving belly flop: Researchers unveil the unique skills of cricket frogs

Is walking on water possible for frogs? Several species have fascinated observers with their abilities to skip side-to-side and leap into the air from the surface of a pond as if the water were land. One such breed native to Virginia and North Carolina is the cricket frog. The wa … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

New begonia species found in Guangxi

Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae, which includes more than 2,000 species. In China, 288 species, including subspecies, varieties and natural hybrid species have been recognized. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

Protected areas provide habitat for threatened lynx, but wildfire poses risks

Canada lynx are specialized hunters, able to travel in deep snow and spot prey in the darkness from 250 feet away. Keen hearing and vision make them excellent trackers, but what do we learn by turning the tables and tracking them? Scientists are using GPS data and advanced modeli … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

Relativistic electron beam could propel probe to Alpha Centauri, study suggests

Getting a spacecraft to another star is a monumental challenge. However, that doesn't stop people from working on it. The most visible groups currently doing so are Breakthrough Starshot and the Tau Zero Foundation, both of whom focus on a very particular type of propulsion-beame … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

Fourth global detection of protozoan parasite in pigs hints at wider scope of infection

The National Veterinary Research Institute in Poland reports the first molecular detection of Sarcocystis miescheriana in a condemned pig carcass in that country. The research confirms only the fourth known occurrence of visible cystic lesions caused by sarcocystosis in domestic … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

Innovative doping technique boosts semiconductor nanocrystal performance

A research team has successfully developed a new technology to control doping at the nucleus (seed) phase to increase the performance of semiconductor nanocrystals. The study uncovered how the doping process and location differ depending on the type of doping element (dopant). Th … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 12 days ago

Massachusetts beaches hit record-high for piping plovers: 'A species recovering at an encouraging rate'

Piping plovers are continuing their comeback story. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

More than 100,000 oysters were grown in Virginia this year: Why it matters

More than 110,000 oysters were planted and raised through oyster gardening in Virginia in 2024, a near-record, environmentalists said. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

Taiwan says 2024 was hottest year on record

Taiwan said Tuesday that this year was the hottest since records began 127 years ago, echoing unprecedented temperature highs felt around the world. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

New method traces molecular gas mass in distant galaxies

Prof. Zhao Yinghe from the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators, have conducted a study examining the correlation between the [C II] 158 micron emission and the CO(1-0) line. Their findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

Microplastics disrupt terrestrial ecosystems, affecting plants and food webs

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), plastic particles and fibers with sizes ranging from nanometers (≥ 1 nm) to micrometers (≤ 5 mm) have become emerging environmental pollutants and are widely distributed across various ecosystems worldwide. These tiny plastic particles not only pose a t … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

Researchers are using AI and virtual reality to create an online dancefloor for the whole world to share

Staying home to dance the night away may soon be the next big thing. The festive season can be a lonely time for many, and too much time spent online can add to the feeling of isolation. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

The number of homeless people in the U.S. has increased, assessment reveals

The number of homeless individuals in the U.S. increased by 18% between January 2023 and January 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

New method estimates Atlantic freshwater transport across latitudes

Researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xiamen University have developed an indirect method for estimating Atlantic meridional freshwater transport (AMFT) at various latitudes. The study was published in Geophysical Research Le … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

Why do disinfectants only kill 99.9% of germs? Here's the science

Have you ever wondered why most disinfectants indicate they kill 99.9% or 99.99% of germs, but never promise to wipe out all of them? Perhaps the thought has crossed your mind mid-way through cleaning your kitchen or bathroom. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

India rocket launches space docking mission

India launched a rocket Monday carrying two small spacecraft to test docking in space, a critical step for the country's dreams of a space station and a manned Moon mission. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

Northern lights could be visible in upper fringes of the US this New Year's Eve

There's a chance solar storms may bring northern lights to several northern U.S states just in time for the new year. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 19 days ago

Foreign DNA 'sneaks' past bacterial defenses, aiding antibiotic resistance

A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals how bacterial defense mechanisms can be neutralized, enabling the efficient transfer of genetic material between bacteria. The researchers believe this discovery could pave the way for developing tools to address the antibiotic resistanc … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Researchers achieve calculation of Jones polynomial based on the Majorana zero modes

A research team has experimentally calculated the Jones polynomial based on the quantum simulation of braided Majorana zero modes. The research team determined the Jones polynomials of different links through simulating the braiding operations of Majorana fermions. This study was … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Decoding haze sources and formation mechanisms with coal combustion experiments and sulfur isotopes

A research team led by Prof. Shen Yan'an from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has made significant progress in studying the sources and formation mechanisms of haze. Through coal combustion experiments and high-precision sulfur isotope analysis, the resea … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Striking new moray eel discovered in Central Indo-Pacific river mouths, named after god of the underworld

The Hades' snake moray (Uropterygius hades), a dark brown, slender snake moray eel, has chosen the road less traveled, thriving in dim and muddy river mouths, unlike most of its marine moray eel relatives. It is widely distributed across the Central Indo-Pacific, and has been fou … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Microplastics found in multiple human organ tissues correlated with lesions

Research led by Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University in China has performed a metadata investigation into the presence of microplastics in humans. They report a concerning relationship between micro and nanoplastic (MNP) concentrations in damaged tissues and links with mu … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Investigating soil, nutrient impact on organic leafy greens in unheated, greenhouse-like high tunnel system

A recent study by scientists at the University of Florida sheds light on how soil and nutrient management practices significantly influence the productivity and quality of leafy green crops grown in high tunnel organic systems. The research provides valuable insights for organic … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Analysis of 160,000 films shows rise in 'murderous verbs' since 1970

The amount of murdering and killing in movies has increased overall over the past 50 years, according to a study that analyzed a massive database of film dialogue. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Engineers develop first deep-UV microLED display chips for maskless photolithography

In a breakthrough set to revolutionize the semiconductor industry, the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed the world's first-of-its-kind deep-ultraviolet (UVC) microLED display array for lithography machines. This enha … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Study reveals Rujm el-Hiri's ancient observatory role unlikely

A new study by Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev reveals groundbreaking findings about the famous Rujm el-Hiri site (known as the "Wheel of Ghosts") in the Golan Heights. Based on geomagnetic analysis and tectonic reconstruction, the researchers determine … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

2D materials with 'twist' show unexpected electronic behavior that defy theoretical predictions

In the search for new materials that can enable more efficient electronics, scientists are exploring so-called 2D materials. These are sheets of just one atom thick, that may have all kinds of interesting electronic properties. If two sheets are placed on top of each other at spe … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Researchers improve chaotic mapping for super-resolution image reconstruction

Super-resolution (SR) technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of images. SR reconstruction aims to generate high-resolution images from low-resolution ones. Traditional methods often result in blurred or distorted images. Advanced techniques such as sparse repres … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

What if every pet was vegan? Here's how much it would help the planet

At least a quarter of all human-generated greenhouse gas emissions to date can be traced to the livestock industry. Vast tracts are used to grow feed crops and to graze the world's 92 billion cows, pigs, chickens and other animals slaughtered each year. This hunger for land means … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

New dinosaur, Archaeocursor asiaticus, hints at early Gondwana to Laurasia migration

A newly identified dinosaur from southwestern China is revealing what appears to be the earliest-diverging ornithischian dinosaur in Asia. A multi-institution investigation in China has introduced the world to Archaeocursor asiaticus, and the research suggests an earlier dispersa … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Breaking barriers in polymer tech: PBS vitrimers for greener futures

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) has emerged as a viable alternative to conventional plastics due to its biodegradability and similar properties to polypropylene. Under composting conditions, PBS can break down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

Observers investigate a nearby galaxy cluster merger

Using the Very Large Array (VLA), an international team of astronomers have observed a nearby galaxy merger known as CIZA J0107.7+5408. Results of the observational campaign, presented December 20 on the preprint server arXiv, could help us better understand the merging processes … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

The science behind your Christmas sweater: How friction shapes the form of knitted fabrics

A trio of physicists from the University of Rennes, Aoyama Gakuin University, and the University of Lyon have discovered, through experimentation, that it is friction between fibers that allows knitted fabrics to take on a given form. Jérôme Crassous, Samuel Poincloux, and Audrey … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

A butterfly collector in Africa with more than 4.2 million seeks to share them for the future

What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa's largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya's capital. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 20 days ago

A citizen quest to find sea stars along the San Diego coast can help scientists better understand biodiversity

The final week of the year will bring low tides to San Diego's coastline, giving tide poolers one more chance this month to participate in a statewide quest to find sea stars—otherwise known as starfish. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 21 days ago

Climate change added 41 days of dangerous heat around world in 2024

People around the world suffered an average of 41 extra days of dangerous heat this year because of human-caused climate change, according to a group of scientists who also said that climate change worsened much of the world's damaging weather throughout 2024. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 21 days ago

The secret world of plants living in our limestone pavements

Anyone out winter walking in the Yorkshire dales will probably be familiar with the dramatic scenery of limestone pavements. Distinctive and beautiful, they can also be found elsewhere in Britain, as well as in mainland Europe and Canada—not to mention in Harry Potter and the Dea … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 21 days ago

Borneo's mountains reveal a new species of orangutan-colored giant pitcher plant

A team of botanists at Malaysia's Sabah Forestry Department's Forest Research Centre, working with a pair of colleagues from Australia, has identified a new species of giant pitcher plant growing on the ultramafic mountains in central Sabah, Borneo. In their paper published in th … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

Months after Marshall Fire, returning Colorado residents struggle with health and air quality

Six months after the Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 houses in Boulder County, Colorado, more than half of residents of surviving homes in the area reported physical symptoms—including headaches, sore throats or a strange taste in their mouth—that they attributed to poor … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

New commercial Artemis moon rovers undergo testing at NASA

Through NASA's Artemis campaign, astronauts will land on the lunar surface and use a new generation of spacesuits and rovers as they live, work, and conduct science in the moon's south pole region, exploring more of the lunar surface than ever before. Recently, the agency complet … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

Six new tree species named: Three from Panama, three from Colombia

Botanists José Luis Fernández-Alonso, of the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, and Ernesto Campos, research technician at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama, have named six new tree species based on comparisons made among collections of dried plant speci … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

Exploring framing effects: How language influences thought and society

A choice was made to include each word in this sentence. Every message, even the most mundane, is crafted with a specific frame in mind that impacts how the message is perceived. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

Scientists use viral DNA to detect fecal contamination of water

The presence of human waste in sewage overflow or stormwater runoff that ultimately finds its way into rivers and lakes is a major public health hazard. As a result, it is imperative that water bodies and samples are continuously tested for the presence of human fecal contaminati … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

Ants prove superior to humans in group problem-solving maze experiment

Anyone who has dealt with ants in the kitchen knows that ants are highly social creatures; it's rare to see one alone. Humans are social creatures too, even if some of us enjoy solitude. Ants and humans are also the only creatures in nature that consistently cooperate while trans … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago

Plant-parasite duel: Decoding tomato plants' genetic response to nematode infection

Root-knot nematodes pose a significant threat to agriculture, infecting a wide range of crops and causing billions of dollars in losses annually. These parasites induce the formation of galls on plant roots, a key part of their lifecycle, but one that is highly detrimental to the … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 26 days ago