https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. This week in science news: Researchers are calling to exploit sewage waste and manure to break U.S. synthetic fertilizer dependence. Wasps have begun disrupting the 10-million-year mutualism of ants and plants. And scientists have taken a step toward using CRISPR to silence the extra chromosome in Down syndrome. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-saturday-citations-neuroinflammaging-treatment-stuns.html Other Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:10:01 EDT news695642585 Indonesia experiences massive forest fires as the dry season approaches. They are a major environmental challenge because they damage forests and other land, endanger lives, and disrupt local economies. Using sharp, high-resolution imagery from Sentinel-2 satellites, capable of spotting details as small as 20 meters, a recent study built the first fully automated system to map burned areas across Indonesia every month in fine detail. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-indonesia-crisis-focus-high-resolution.html Earth Sciences Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:30:01 EDT news695563633 Orofacial clefts (OC; cleft lips and/or palates) require intense care immediately after birth and can lead to lifelong difficulties with eating and speaking, leading to social marginalization, stigmatization, and exclusion. In a study published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Dr. Xiaofan Sun and her colleagues identified and analyzed the first archaeological case of OC in China. The study found that the young man not only survived infancy, suggesting intensive care was given to him, but his burial suggests that he was fully integrated into his community, receiving full burial rights, indicating his deformity did not lead to him being shamed in life. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-archaeological-case-cleft-lip-china.html Archaeology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:20:02 EDT news695642603 In what is possibly another sign of climate change, mosquitoes have landed in Iceland for the first time. For many years, the island was the only Arctic country that could claim to be mosquito-free. But that all changed in 2025, when three Culiseta annulata specimens were discovered in a garden in Kjós, just north of the capital Reykjavík. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-mosquitoes-iceland-arctic.html Environment Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:20:01 EDT news695638195 A sprinkle of nutmeg powder on baked goodies or mashed potatoes can immediately lift the flavor with its warm and sweet aroma. Even though it is used globally, not much is known about the true origins of the nutmeg spice tree, Myristica fragrans. In an attempt to retrace evolutionary history, researchers traveled to five different islands in the Moluccas archipelago, Indonesia, traditionally known as the Spice Islands and collected leaves from 393 nutmeg trees to analyze their DNA. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-dna-nutmeg-hidden-revealing-south.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:40:03 EDT news695636402 European astronomers have used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe a recently discovered giant disk galaxy known as ADF22.1. Results of the new observations, published April 8 on the arXiv preprint server, shed more light on the formation and evolution of this galaxy. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-alma-jwst-giant-disk-galaxy.html Astronomy Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:20:05 EDT news695616950 Monumental ship burials in Scandinavia may have started around a century earlier than previously thought, according to a paper published in the journal Antiquity. It reports the discovery of the remains of a 1,300-year-old ship buried on the Norwegian island of Leka, predating the Vikings. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-monumental-ship-burial-beneath-ancient.html Archaeology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:00:08 EDT news695564232 Baby Neanderthals may have been much larger and grown much more quickly than their modern Homo sapiens counterparts, according to a new study of the most intact Neanderthal infant skeleton. Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are our closest extinct relatives, an ancient group of humans that lived in Eurasia from several hundred thousand years ago until they disappeared around 40,000 years ago. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-baby-neanderthals-rapid-growth-spurt.html Evolution Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:40:03 EDT news695563623 As a part of a study testing out a new type of implanted brain-computer interface (BCI), three rhesus monkeys controlled movements in a virtual reality (VR) world using only brain signals. The study, published in Science Advances, demonstrates a major step toward practical BCIs that can work outside of lab conditions. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-monkeys-virtual-forest-thought-brain.html Plants & Animals Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:30:01 EDT news695563610 For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that a laser-plasma accelerator can reliably drive a free-electron laser for more than eight hours. Published in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams, the result was achieved by a team led by Finn Kohrell at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in collaboration with Texas-based company Tau Systems—and could soon make the technology vastly more accessible for a broad range of applications in industry and research. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-laser-plasma-free-electron-hours.html Optics & Photonics Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:40:03 EDT news695554789 The Atlantic current system, or more formally the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is more likely to weaken than previously thought. That's the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Science Advances, which used more refined modeling techniques to get a clearer picture of the future. If these new projections are correct, the consequences could be severe, particularly for Europe and Africa. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-atlantic-current-weakening-faster.html Earth Sciences Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:40:05 EDT news695552250 Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), astronomers have discovered a close pair of quasars, which is a result of a distant massive galaxy merger. The detection of the quasar pair was detailed in a research paper published April 7 on the arXiv pre-print server. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-alma-rare-quasar-pair-redshift.html Astronomy Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:32:51 EDT news695550736 The fossil record has given us another new prehistoric species, named Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa (from the Greek personification of the morning star—the planet Venus), a member of the group called Crocodylomorpha, which includes modern crocodiles. The bones had been sitting around in a museum drawer for three-quarters of a century and had been misidentified as another type of closely related reptile. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-museum-drawer-fossil-reveals-million.html Evolution Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:00:05 EDT news695476133 Dramatic droughts linked to the decline of the Classic Maya civilization approximately 800 to 1000 CE may not have required any external trigger, according to a new climate modeling study. Instead, they could have emerged from Earth's own natural climate variability—shifts within the climate system that, when aligned, are capable of producing prolonged dry periods on their own. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-ancient-maya-droughts-fueled-earth.html Earth Sciences Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:40:03 EDT news695476101 Archaeologists working at the ancient settlement of Stăuceni-"Holm" in northeastern Romania have uncovered a mega-structure measuring 350 square meters dating back about 6,000 years. This is one of the few examples of a massive building that has been physically excavated in the region. It is hoped that it will reveal more about the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture (ca. 5000–3500 BC) of Eastern Europe, which is known for its large, well-planned settlements. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-unearthed-mega-hints-communal-romania.html Archaeology Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:50:02 EDT news695477987 Because methane has around 80 times the warming potential of CO2 over a 20-year period, it has been a major focus for climate action groups. The Global Methane Pledge, launched at COP26 in November 2021, aims to cut human-caused methane emissions by 30% by 2030. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-blended-satellite-reveal-drove-methane.html Earth Sciences Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:20:05 EDT news695476107 Sperm whales produce powerful clicks to communicate. To our ears, they sound nothing more than a series of repetitive, mechanical taps. But we could be a step closer to understanding some of their complex communication, as scientists have discovered that the large marine mammals organize their sounds in patterns similar to those of human speech. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-sperm-whale-clicks-similar-human.html Plants & Animals Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:50:01 EDT news695468227 Using observations gathered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an international team of astronomers have revealed that one supermassive black hole in the early universe must have formed before a galaxy developed around it. Publishing their results in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, a team led by Roberto Maiolino at the University of Cambridge hope their results could lead to a better understanding of the origins of these immense objects. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-monster-black-hole-galaxy-began.html Astronomy Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:20:01 EDT news695463725 A study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology combined zooarchaeology with multi-isotopic analysis to reveal the diverse life histories of ancient dogs in the Wari Empire (ca. 600–1050 CE). Not only has this study broadened our understanding of the role of dogs during the Wari Empire, but it has also identified the first empirical evidence of Peruvian Hairless Dogs from that period, which were likely treated differently from other dogs. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-physical-evidence-peruvian-hairless-dogs.html Archaeology Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:00:03 EDT news695463715 Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and elsewhere have observed a giant exoplanet known as HATS-75 b. Results of the new observations, published April 8 on the arXiv pre-print server, yield important information on the atmosphere of this planet. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-jwst-methane-giant-exoplanet-star.html Astronomy Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:03 EDT news695375088 The study of ancient cultures around Ethiopia during the Middle Stone Age (MSA) time period is important for understanding how some of the first Homo sapiens lived and eventually left Africa. Unfortunately, there are not many well-preserved, open-air archaeological sites from the MSA, especially with both human fossils and artifacts. The Middle Awash study area in Ethiopia, however, is one of the few areas with a well-preserved treasure trove of artifacts capable of painting a picture of early human life in Ethiopia. A new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reports on some fascinating findings from this region, giving clues into what life—and death—might have been like. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-ethiopia-afar-rift-glimpse-life.html Archaeology Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:35:25 EDT news695392501 Bonobos are often described as gentle apes, generally calm primates that are seen as peacemakers in the animal kingdom. But this reputation may be coming under attack as a new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that wild bonobos may engage in group aggression that is more dangerous than previously thought. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-bonobos-peaceful-reputation-rival-group.html Plants & Animals Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:50:02 EDT news695381629 From ketchup to quicksand, non-Newtonian fluids have long fascinated and puzzled scientists. Unlike ordinary fluids, their flow properties change depending on how much force is applied, but the precise mechanics governing this behavior remain poorly understood—particularly under rapid deformation. Now, a team led by Xiang Cheng at the University of Minnesota has used droplet impacts to probe these dynamics in new detail, uncovering behaviors which have eluded physicists so far. Their findings appear in Physical Review Letters. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-droplet-impacts-reveal-physics-thickening.html General Physics Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:40:04 EDT news695376943 Using NASA's Chandra X-ray space telescope, astronomers have performed high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of a bright low-mass X-ray binary known as GX 340+0. Results of the observational campaign, published April 3 on the arXiv pre-print server, shed more light on the composition of interstellar medium (ISM) in this system. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-chandra-explores-interstellar-medium-bright.html Astronomy Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:01 EDT news695294944 The simplicity of a hydrogen atom makes it an ideal model for studying atomic structure and interactions. Yet, despite the fact that its simplest form consists of only one proton and one electron, physicists have had a hard time pinning down the exact charge radius of the proton. But a new study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, outlines a method of measurement that helps to resolve some past discrepancies. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-year-proton-mystery-ultra-precise.html General Physics Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:50:02 EDT news695304877 Ants are known for many things. They fight, bite and sometimes compete for every crumb. We can now possibly add cleaning services to that list, according to a study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-arizona-tiny-ants-hygienists-climbing.html Plants & Animals Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:20:04 EDT news695296823 Physicists in China have simulated the effect of "false vacuum decay": a phenomenon believed to play out constantly in the seemingly empty expanses of space, and which one theory even suggests could bring an abrupt end to the entire universe. In a paper published in Physical Review Letters, Yu-Xin Chao and colleagues at Tsinghua University, Beijing, mimicked the effect using a simple tabletop experiment. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-tabletop-atoms-universe-doomsday-vacuum.html General Physics Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:00:04 EDT news695295202 New technology has helped a team of scientists uncover more than 20 microscopic fossils, including a species previously unknown to science. The discovery may provide us with fresh insights into the Late Ordovician, one of the largest mass extinction events in our planet's history. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-powerful-imaging-lost-ocean-life.html Paleontology & Fossils Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:40:03 EDT news695295174 A recent archaeological project has physically reconstructed the ceremonial dress of medieval Nubian royalty and clergy, offering a rare glimpse into how clothing shaped and communicated authority in Christian Nubia. The research is published in the journal Antiquity. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-revived-nubian-royal-robes-prestige.html Archaeology Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:20:04 EDT news695295124 Acoustic metamaterials are a fast-evolving family of materials which manipulate sound waves in ever more advanced ways. Now, a team led by Changqing Xu at Nanjing Normal University in China has engineered an acoustic metamaterial, a "ghost tunnel": a structure which acts as a near-perfect waveguide for sound entering through its ends, while being essentially invisible to waves incident on its sides. The results, published in Physical Review Letters, could open new avenues for manipulating sound waves in complex signal environments. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-ghost-tunnels-staying-invisible.html General Physics Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:20:06 EDT news695290653