Discipline
News, research analysis and evidence-based explanation. 20 stories in this section.
Researchers challenge the long-standing «lizard brain» model of brain evolution, proposing instead that evolution balances two competing wiring styles depending on an animal's survival needs.
Wild monkeys in West Africa can climb vertical tree trunks using foot flexibility scientists did not previously recognize, a discovery that challenges key assumptions about the last common ancestor of …
A new careers guide from Physics World advises physics students to reflect on their personal goals, audit soft skills, and network early when planning their post-graduation careers, whether in research …
A new theoretical framework suggests that some experiments interpreted as evidence of quantum gravity may instead be explained by quantum particles moving through classical spacetime.
A major new analysis challenges recent claims that the universe's expansion is slowing, finding that the evidence for cosmic acceleration remains strong. The findings preserve the leading role of dark …
Human brain organoids cultured for five years display epigenetic aging dynamics that mirror those observed in living brains, offering a new tool for studying postnatal brain development.
An international team of researchers has determined that a massive landslide, rather than a glacial collapse, triggered the catastrophic flood that devastated parts of Tibet and Nepal, reshaping understanding of …
Researchers have developed a method to transform PVC, one of the most challenging plastics to recycle, into a key ingredient for high-performance lubricants like engine oil, offering a sustainable second …
Neuroscientist Steve Ramirez discusses his research into the physical basis of memory, describing the quest to identify and potentially manipulate specific memories as a central goal of modern neuroscience.
A fossilized skull in a Danish museum collection since the 1800s has been identified as a new species of glyptodont, Glyptotherium deuterophractum, that lived in South America.
A UK study of 212 plant-based meat alternatives and drinks found that all contained at least one naturally occurring fungal toxin, though levels stayed below EU guideline limits. Researchers warn …
A new reconstruction of Pacific sea surface temperatures from Galápagos corals suggests human-caused warming is intensifying El Niño events, pointing to greater weather disruptions ahead.
Physicists at RIKEN have observed re-entrant superconductivity for the first time in a two-dimensional material, where an applied magnetic field initially destroys superconductivity before a stronger field restores it.
A theoretical physicist’s new book argues that cuts to basic science funding threaten the future of big-picture research and the cultural role of physics in democracy.
The US Department of Defense has ordered 30 research universities to audit and potentially end partnerships with institutions in China, Russia and Iran, warning that noncompliance could cost them major …
Seismologists and engineers are pushing to integrate physics-based ground-motion simulations into seismic hazard models, but trust and validation gaps keep them out of building codes.
A new study shows capuchin monkeys increase hunting of small vertebrates when fruit availability drops, offering clues about early human dietary evolution.
A major new study finds that recent strong El Niño events, including the developing "Godzilla" event, have been intensified by fossil fuel-driven global warming.
Dr Adam Kalkstein, the only climate scientist at West Point, was terminated after refusing an order to stop teaching the human causes of climate change, according to a lawsuit. He …
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the fourth named storm of the 2026 hurricane season. Forecasters are tracking its path as it develops over open waters.
