World's oldest mammalian ancestor discovered in Mallorca
An international research team led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP) and the Museu Balear de Ciències Naturals (MUCBO | MBCN) have described a fossil animal that lived between ...
17 Dec 10:00 · phys.org
Detecting the gravitational wave memory effect from core-collapse supernovae
Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity, has passed all tests with predictions that are spot-on. One prediction that remains is "gravitational wave memory"—the prediction that a passing gravitational ...
17 Dec 11:30 · phys.org
Were Neanderthals cold-adapted or were they just ready for anything? Ribcage reconstruction may hold the answer
Researchers at the Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid report that analysis of a Neanderthal ribcage from a cave in Iraq exhibits a "bell-shaped" thorax configuration ...
17 Dec 13:00 · phys.org
ALMA observations investigate disk and jet of a massive protostar
Astronomers from Italy and Spain have used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to observe a massive protostar designated IRAS 20126+4104. The observational campaign, detailed in a ...
17 Dec 13:30 · phys.org
'Video game ecology' can help us understand the climate crisis in our forests
When we think of climate change we often think of extreme events like flooding rains and large bushfires. But climate change can also have slower, more subtle impacts on our landscapes.
17 Dec 13:35 · phys.org
Building concrete on Mars from local materials
Imagine you've just gotten to Mars as part of the first contingent of settlers. Your first challenge: build a long-term habitat using local materials. Those might include water from the polar caps mixed ...
17 Dec 14:19 · phys.org
Study finds digital hyperconnectivity leads to employee 'techno-strain'
A new study has shown that employees are experiencing mental and physical techno-strain due to being "hyperconnected" to digital technology, making it difficult for people to switch off from work.
17 Dec 15:00 · phys.org
Scientists decipher genome map of Lycium barbarum
Lycium barbarum, commonly known as goji berry, is renowned for its pectin polysaccharides (LBPPs), which offer a range of benefits including antioxidant, immune-regulating, and anti-aging effects. However, ...
17 Dec 15:10 · phys.org
Australian waterbird numbers down almost 50% after drier 2024: Aerial survey
UNSW's annual waterbird survey, conducted by researchers and government collaborators, has observed fewer waterbirds breeding and a drop of nearly 50% in overall numbers, compared to 2023.
17 Dec 15:18 · phys.org
Waal river draws more water, signaling potential Rhine system shift
Historical observations and model computations point to the Rhine system having crossed a tipping point. Since extreme peak flows in the 1990s, the Waal has gradually attracted more water at the Pannerdense ...
17 Dec 15:18 · phys.org
Protective salt marshes along coasts are in danger across the globe but it's not too late to act, researchers say
Salt marshes are among coastal habitats endangered by both rising sea levels and urban development.
17 Dec 15:22 · phys.org
PFAS detected in firefighter gloves, hoods, and wildland gear
The protective clothing worn by wildland firefighters often contains PFAS, according to a new study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The study also found PFAS in hoods and ...
17 Dec 15:27 · phys.org
Genetic test will help safeguard quinoa from downy mildew
Quinoa's grain-like seed offers a flavorful, nutrition-packed addition to soups, salads and side dishes, as well as ingredient for cereals, snacks and pasta. But in order for this versatile seed to get ...
17 Dec 15:28 · phys.org
The future existence of the purple-crowned fairy-wren depends on strong climate action
A new report from Deakin University researchers in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature—Australia (WWF—Australia) outlines the concerning reality facing Australia's wildlife as global ...
17 Dec 15:30 · phys.org
String figures shed light on cultural connections and the roots of mathematical reasoning
A collaborative study between the University of Helsinki, Aarhus University, the National Museum of Denmark and Seattle University examined the cognitive, cultural and historical significance of traditional ...
17 Dec 15:55 · phys.org
Corals depend on near neighbors to reproduce, research reveals
A study reveals corals must be within only a few meters of each other to successfully reproduce, leaving them vulnerable in a warming world.
17 Dec 15:58 · phys.org
First-ever binary star found near our galaxy's supermassive black hole
An international team of researchers has detected a binary star orbiting close to Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. It is the first time a stellar pair has been ...
17 Dec 16:00 · phys.org
Gene discovery unlocks secrets of salmon puberty and evolution
A study carried out at the University of Helsinki shows how a single gene in Atlantic salmon can dramatically influence the timing of puberty—a key factor for salmon life cycle and survival.
17 Dec 16:04 · phys.org
Novel bioluminescent immunosensor shows promise for quantitative point-of-care testing
A novel nanobody-based immunosensor, designed to function stably in undiluted biological fluids and harsh conditions, has been developed, report researchers from Science Tokyo. Their innovative design ...
17 Dec 16:31 · phys.org
Citizen scientists help map geomagnetic superstorm's ionospheric impact
As seen across North America at sometimes surprisingly low latitudes, brilliant auroral displays provide evidence of solar activity in the night sky. More is going on than the familiar visible light shows ...
17 Dec 16:37 · phys.org
Event Horizon Telescope: Moving towards a close-up of a black hole and its jets
After taking the first images of black holes, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is poised to reveal how black holes launch powerful jets into space.
17 Dec 16:37 · phys.org
Acoustic battles for the harem: How the calls of Siberian stags reveal their status and individuality
Researchers at HSE University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences have studied the distinctive vocalizations ...
17 Dec 16:45 · phys.org
Study suggests union membership leads to a longer life
A trio of statisticians at the University of Minnesota has found an association between union membership and lower mortality rates. In their study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, Tom ...
17 Dec 17:21 · phys.org
Current generated by the quantum Hall effect found to have additional magnetic properties
The quantum Hall effect, a fundamental effect in quantum mechanics, not only generates an electric but also a magnetic current. It arises from the motion of electrons on an orbit around the nuclei of ...
17 Dec 17:22 · phys.org
Oxygen and chlorine evolution without noble metals: Electrode potential transforms MXene surfaces
MXenes are a class of two-dimensional materials that were discovered in 2011. Theoretical studies previously predicted that they would not be catalytically active in anodic processes. Researchers led ...
17 Dec 17:22 · phys.org
New model maps monkey habitats to aid conservation efforts
A monkey mapping study could boost conservation of animal species that share their habitats with humans.
17 Dec 17:24 · phys.org
A history of bacteria domestication: Researchers investigate genetic and phenotypic characteristics of Swiss cheeses
The domestication of livestock and plants marked an important stage in the settlement of human populations in the Neolithic period, as they moved from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a subsistence model ...
17 Dec 17:39 · phys.org
Model captures energy return on global agriculture investment
A primary output of agriculture is food, an energy source for the human body. But agriculture also requires energy inputs.
17 Dec 18:04 · phys.org
Study maps bed bugs' genomes in unprecedented detail to find out why they just won't die
Scientists mapped near-gap-free and near-error-free genomes of a susceptible bed bug strain and a superstrain around 20,000 times more insecticide-resistant, offering the broadest look yet at the full ...
17 Dec 18:24 · phys.org
Antarctica's tipping points threaten global climate stability
Antarctica is approaching a series of cascading tipping points that could reshape ecosystems and intensify global climate disruptions, according to a new study by an international team of scientists, ...
17 Dec 18:29 · phys.org
Most coastal Arctic infrastructure faces instability by 2100, study warns
A new study has produced the first map of all coastal communities and infrastructure across the Arctic, showing the vulnerability of the built environment to threats from climate change.
17 Dec 18:32 · phys.org
Boltz-1: Fully open-source model rivals AlphaFold3 for predicting biomolecular structures
MIT scientists have released a powerful, open-source AI model called Boltz-1 that could significantly accelerate biomedical research and drug development. The paper is available on the bioRxiv preprint ...
17 Dec 18:32 · phys.org
Captive tilapia study shows cold-blooded animals using behaviorally-induced fever to battle infection
A team of life scientists at East China Normal University has found that at least one type of cold-blooded animal uses behaviorally-induced fever to battle infections. In their paper published in Proceedings ...
17 Dec 18:40 · phys.org
Black hole genealogy: A new way to discover 'ancestors' of cosmic phenomena
A research team has proposed a new method to reconstruct the "family tree" of black holes. Published in The Astrophysical Journal, this research offers a way to infer the properties of the black hole ...
17 Dec 19:11 · phys.org
Climate neutrality: OECD and EU countries best equipped to lead the way, says report
Under the Paris Climate Agreement, nations around the globe committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. But how determined are OECD and EU countries in pursuing this goal? A recent monitoring report ...
17 Dec 19:12 · phys.org
The role of Rubisco in food and energy security
As global food and energy demand continues to grow, researchers are exploring multiple strategies to boost crop productivity. While engineering plant enzymes and biochemical pathways that are more efficient ...
17 Dec 19:13 · phys.org
NASA missions spot cosmic 'wreath' displaying stellar circle of life
Since antiquity, wreaths have symbolized the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is fitting then that one of the best places for astronomers to learn more about the stellar lifecycle resembles a giant ...
17 Dec 19:15 · phys.org
Explaining physical reality: Physicists 'bootstrap' validity of string theory
String theory, conceptualized more than 50 years ago as a framework to explain the formation of matter, remains elusive as a "provable" phenomenon. But a team of physicists has now taken a significant ...
17 Dec 19:35 · phys.org
Tiny particle, huge potential: Scientists discover new type of quasiparticle present in all magnetic materials
Researchers recently made a groundbreaking discovery on the nanoscale: a new type of quasiparticle found in all magnetic materials, no matter their strength or temperature. These new properties shake ...
17 Dec 19:45 · phys.org
Humpback whale mother-calf health assessed using drone tech
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology biologists used drone imagery to understand how nursing humpback whale mothers and their calves fare as they cross the Pacific Ocean. ...
17 Dec 19:46 · phys.org
Talk to him: How a conversation can shape public support for women's rights
A single conversation with a close family member may not change a young woman's views on policies protecting their rights, but it can strongly influence young men's attitudes.
17 Dec 19:46 · phys.org
The physics of random stacking: Perspectives on stability and chaos
Pile up blocks until the tower collapses. But why does the tower always end up collapsing? Is it possible that it can be built ad infinitum? A study published in the International Journal of Solids and ...
17 Dec 20:53 · phys.org
Researchers achieve near-unity quantum efficiency in 2D photon emitters
Leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computers can perform calculations at lightning-fast speeds, enabling them to solve complex problems faster than conventional computers. In quantum ...
17 Dec 21:05 · phys.org
Permafrost thaw impacts alpine runoff and water retention
Permafrost, a unique geological phenomenon found in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and other high-altitude cold regions, significantly influences the generation of runoff and hydrological processes in frozen ...
17 Dec 21:06 · phys.org
The social cost of carbon: Study finds current estimates omit key effects
The social cost of carbon—an important figure that global policymakers use to analyze the benefits of climate and energy policies—is too low, according to a study led by the University of California, ...
17 Dec 21:43 · phys.org
Dogs demonstrate ability to match voices to familiar humans
Researchers at ELTE Department of Ethology, Hungary designed an experiment to investigate whether dogs can recognize their owners based on pre-recorded speech. The results provided the first evidence ...
17 Dec 21:44 · phys.org
Cutting-edge satellite tracks lake water levels in Ohio River Basin
The Ohio River Basin stretches from Pennsylvania to Illinois and contains a system of reservoirs, lakes, and rivers that drains an area almost as large as France. Researchers with the SWOT (Surface Water ...
17 Dec 21:45 · phys.org
Wind alters snow crystals, impacting climate models
Wind tunnel experiments conducted by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF show how snow crystals change in the wind. The findings could force climate researchers to adjust their models—particularly ...
17 Dec 21:48 · phys.org
Low glycemic index rice seen as promising solution to mitigate Asia's diabetes crisis
A new paper recently published by scientists explores the potential of low glycemic index (Low GI) rice to combat the growing diabetes epidemic, particularly in Asia.
17 Dec 21:50 · phys.org
Household slavery: 'An overlooked method of enslaving people'
When discussing enslavement, attention often focuses on Africans forcibly shipped to South America. Researcher Timo McGregor's new Veni research sheds light on a lesser-known method, whereby indigenous ...
17 Dec 21:52 · phys.org
last updated on 18 Dec 03:18