Research shows that wildfires have erased two decades' worth of air quality gains in western United States

You need only to remember last summer's wildfires in the United States and Canada, which fouled the air from coast to coast, to know the effects these blazes can have on the environment and human health. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Collisions change how fast ions surf on plasma waves in fusion experiments and beyond

Just like there are waves in the ocean, waves can also occur in an electrically charged gas called a plasma, made up of electrons and ions. In the ocean, people surf by riding their boards at nearly the same speed as the waves. This matching condition, called resonance, allows th … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

National climate assessment offers new insights on community resilience and adaptation

A major weather event such as a hurricane or wildfire can have lasting, visible impacts on communities, but the longer-term, compounding effects of a changing climate can be harder to see. In its contributions to the recently released Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5), the … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Researchers urge caution with 'net zero' in climate policy

While a trend reversal in global CO₂ emissions is still yet to come, more and more countries are announcing the goal of "net zero" by mid-century. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Consistency key to corporate expressions of racial solidarity, says study

After violent incidents such as police shootings, and around annual observances like Black History Month, why do some corporate expressions of solidarity with marginalized groups register as genuine, while others may seem performative or even backfire? | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Applying pulp mill waste to soil could be a win-win for the environment and industry

Pulp mill waste destined for the landfill could instead be useful as an organic fertilizer that can help reduce the environmental impact of using conventional fertilizers while improving soil and tree growth, University of Alberta research shows. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Small publishers increasingly important for translated literature, researcher says

Over the period 1970–2016, small publishing houses became increasingly important for the publication of literature in translation in Sweden. More than ever, Nobel laureates are being published by relatively small independent publishers. A specialization in translations often stem … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

3D models for placing nanoparticles in the palm of your hand

Nanoparticles are super tiny―as small as one nanometer, or one billionth of a meter―and are of keen interest to materials scientists for their unique physical and chemical properties. They cannot be detected by the naked eye and require a highly specialized electron microscope to … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Tracking undetectable space junk

Satellite and spacecraft operators may finally be able to detect small pieces of debris orbiting Earth using an approach proposed by researchers from the University of Michigan. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Q&A: How to choose the perfect Christmas tree

If you are heading to a farm or the local lot this weekend to pick out your perfect Christmas tree, Timothy Waller, an evergreen researcher, has some advice for you. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Neutron capture research offers insight into astrophysics and detector design

In a study published in the journal Nuclear Science and Techniques, researchers from Sun Yat-sen University have conducted a novel study on neutron capture by bromine at the China Spallation Neutron Source, providing invaluable insights into both astrophysics and cutting-edge det … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Study shows how ethical brands fare in a recession

A new study from the University of East Anglia reveals why some 'eco goods' may fare better than others as a UK recession looms. The new study, published today, shows that when money gets tight, people are more likely to keep up more expensive ethical purchases like buying fair t … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

People may support climate action more strongly if they understand how their health is at risk

Highlighting the health relevance of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions can generate support for climate action, a major review of evidence on the subject has found. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New book anticipates a world of military robots, and the need to regulate them

In our digitally mediated world, the atrocities of war are hard to ignore. Conflagrations in Europe (Ukraine–Russia), the Middle East (Israel–Hamas) and elsewhere relay images of death and destruction as quickly as our feeds can process them. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Three benefits of genetically improved Christmas trees

Christmas trees are the centerpiece of the holiday season. But the fear of needles falling can deter shoppers from buying real trees from local growers. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

ALICE records about 12 billion heavy-ion collisions

After a five-year pause, on the evening of 26 September, lead ions collided at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at an unprecedented high energy of 5.36 TeV per pair of nucleons (protons or neutrons) and a collision rate six times higher than before. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Researchers design limestone putty nanogenerator to harvest energy from everyday motion to power small devices

Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have created a new kind of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that produces electricity through the use of limestone putty, promising considerable cost savings over conventional manufacturing methods. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Could our body's 'bleach' be key to fighting a common fungal pathogen?

A study that assesses the effects of hypochlorous acid (HOCI), commonly known as bleach, as it is generated during the immune response of a cell (phagocytosis) when fighting a common fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, reveals that HOCI is a potent killing agent. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Artificial intelligence tackling global water shortages

A company using artificial intelligence to save billions of liters of water has partnered with University of the West of Scotland (UWS) to further enhance its technology. FIDO Tech is helping communities affected by water shortages and restrictions around the world—working with u … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Polarized hetero-structured luminant: The 'marriage' of 2D materials and 0D quantum dots

The generation, modulation, and detection of polarized light play a pivotal role across diverse fields, including optical communication, laser processing, dynamic displays, and biomedical imaging. The advancement of multifunctional prototype devices, seamlessly integrating an arr … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Deep sea sensor reveals that corals produce reactive oxygen species

Just like us, corals breathe in oxygen and eat organic carbon. And just like us, as a byproduct of converting energy and oxygen in the body, corals produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), a family of chemical compounds that are naturally made by cells during cell division, while f … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Strange burn: New research identifies unique patterns in Utah wildfires

For a century fire ecologists have worked to decipher a complex question—what does a "normal'' wildfire year look like in the West? That's a hard question to answer for many reasons, but new research from a team in the Quinney College of Natural Resources shows that thanks to the … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Engineered surface helps boiled bubbles jump to carry more heat

Water is often the go-to resource for heat transfer, being used in large-scale cooling operations like data centers that power the internet and nuclear power plants that power cities. Discovering dynamic phenomena to make water-based heat transfer more energy and cost-efficient i … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Pioneering the future: An innovative approach to plant synthetic genomics

In October 2023, BioDesign Research published a perspective article titled "Toward Synthetic Genomics in Plants." Focusing on the emerging field of plant synthetic genomics, this study delves into the complexity of assembling and engineering large genomes, a task made challenging … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Soil drought weakens forest microclimatic cooling, study finds

Scientists from Stockholm University have investigated the mechanisms that create cool microclimates beneath forest canopies during warm and dry summer days. The study reveals how canopy shading and water evaporation together create cooler forest microclimates compared to tempera … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Advancing food safety: Natural alternatives for meat preservation

In a study published in the journal Food Quality and Safety on 19 October 2023, researchers from Zhejiang A&F University and Zhejiang University conclude that natural preservatives offer a viable alternative to synthetic chemicals in meat preservation. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

'Doughnut' beams help physicists see incredibly small objects

In a new study published in Optica, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have used doughnut-shaped beams of light to take detailed images of objects too tiny to view with traditional microscopes. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New study examines long-term negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic on well-being of young people

A study led by education professor Martin Neugebauer of Freie Universität Berlin and published in the European Sociological Review shows that young people's life satisfaction significantly declined during the pandemic. The decline was three times stronger than among the overall G … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Lift-off for EIRSAT-1, Ireland's first ever satellite

Six years of hard work and dedication paid off in spectacular fashion on Dec. 1 as the Educational Irish Research Satellite, EIRSAT-1, successfully blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Hitching a ride on a Space-X Falcon-9 launcher, the tiny satellite—measuri … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Q&A: Unveiling a new era of imaging—engineers lead breakthrough microscopy techniques

When microscopes struggle to pick up faint signals, it's like trying to spot subtle details in a painting or photograph without your glasses. For researchers, this makes it difficult to catch the small things happening in cells or other materials. In new research, Boston Universi … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Capital, canaries, or catalysts: Insurance industry's role in tackling climate change risks

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, canaries were used in coal mines to assess the risk of toxic gases. If the birds became ill or passed away, their fate served as a warning for miners to vacate the premises. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Study explains the rapid deterioration of one of painter Juan Miró's favorite colors

A photo from 1978 shows famous Catalan surrealist painter Juan Miró in his Taller Sert, surrounded by his paintings. In the background, the bright, intense yellow of Femme dans le rue (1973), stands out. Fifty years later, that cadmium-based yellow is faded and chalky. The same p … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

In hotter regions, mammals shown to seek forests and avoid human habitats

The cool of the forest is a welcome escape on a hot day. This is especially true for mammals in North America's hottest regions, according to a study from the University of California, Davis. The study indicates that, as the climate warms, preserving forest cover will be increasi … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Decoupled direct payments make agriculture more productive, finds study

Better alignment with the market is one of the goals pursued by the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in recent decades. One of the measures used to achieve this was to decouple direct payments from production. Agricultural economists at the Technical University of Munich (TU … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Why is religious attendance linked to more anxiety in US South Asians?

A study of older U.S. South Asians examines relationships between religious service attendance (temple, mosque, etc.), anxiety and feelings of emotional neglect by fellow congregation members. The research finds that among U.S. South Asians, those who attend religious services mo … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Decoding flavonoid metabolism: A closer look at plant-based diets

In a world where plant-based lifestyles are on the rise, the power of foods such as broccoli, celery, and tofu, which are rich in flavonoids, is becoming clearer. Flavonoids are phenolic compounds produced by plants that are essential for plant development and defense and have lo … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Counteracting bone and muscle loss in microgravity

In microgravity, without the continuous load of Earth's gravity, the tissues that make up bones reshape themselves. Bone cells readjust their behaviors—the cells that build new bone slow down, while the cells that break down old or damaged bone tissue keep operating at their norm … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Plugging the holes left by exiting colleagues can pay off, says researcher

Colleagues who leave an organization vacate not only their jobs, but also their collaborative relationships with other employees—relationships that are an increasingly prominent feature of modern workplaces. The exit of a colleague is already known to open vacancy-driven promotio … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Conspiracy theories negatively affect their targets, new research shows

New research from the University of Nottingham and Northumbria University has found that conspiracy theories about social groups can have significant negative effects on their members. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

The case of a persistent bully, from victim to perpetrator

The new kid, the class clown, the popular kid, the troublemaker, or the loner. We all know children and young people who may be labeled in this way. In fact, many of these stereotypes have been depicted in Hollywood films. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Clean energy innovation or illusion? JETP climate funds

They were billed as an ingenious new way of helping developing countries ditch planet-polluting coal, promising an injection of billions from wealthy governments looking for new ways to tackle carbon emissions. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Controversial carbon credits flood COP28, yet still no rules

The COP28 climate talks have been flooded with announcements hyping controversial carbon credits before rules for them have been hammered out, with environmental groups fearing "greenwashing" on a massive scale. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Mapping Mars: Deep learning could help identify Jezero Crater landing site

Preparations for a safe landing on Earth, such as finding the most even terrain and equipping the appropriate landing gear, are also crucial for Mars missions. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

British research ship crosses paths with world's largest iceberg as it drifts out of Antarctica

Britain's polar research ship has crossed paths with the largest iceberg in the world—a "lucky" encounter that enabled scientists to collect seawater samples around the colossal berg as it drifts out of Antarctic waters, the British Antarctic Survey said Monday. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New technique efficiently offers insight into gene regulation

DNA is the most important carrier of genetic information. Each cell contains approximately two meters of DNA. To ensure that all this genetic material fits into the small cell nucleus, it must be tightly packed. The DNA is, therefore, wrapped around a special type of protein, a h … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Universities urged to turn campuses paperless to cut deforestation rates

Universities will do the environment a good service and trim deforestation levels if they turn their campuses paperless, according to a study published as part of the 2022 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences (ASET). | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

AI model directly compares properties of potential new drugs

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed an AI platform that autonomously compares molecules and learns from their variations to anticipate property differences critical to discovering new pharmaceuticals. The platform provides researchers with a more accurate and e … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

A 10-billion-year, 50,000-light-year journey to a black hole

A star near the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy originated outside the galaxy according to a new study published in Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B. This is the first time a star of extragalactic origin has been found in the vicinity of th … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago