facebook

Science & Environment

...

Google turns off AI for schoolchildren by default

Google has said it will switch off its AI tools for schoolchildren by default, after drawing criticism for pushing artificial intelligence features to students while schools are still debating how the technology should be used in classrooms.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 2:35 pm

Australia approves seabed site where a Japanese company will store carbon pollution

Australia has designated a seabed storage site near its northern coast where a Japanese company plans to store massive amounts of carbon pollution using a technology that has divided climate scientists.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 2:26 pm

Assam: Son Beel communities diversify farming as climate threats shrink wetland

Debarun Choudhury Each year, as winter begins around mid November, Arup Das looks out across the marsh surrounding his home in Dargarbond, one of the many villages around Son Beel, a seasonal wetland in Assam. The land around him was submerged under water just a couple of months ago. Now, as the water recedes, he [] The post Assam: Son Beel communities diversify farming as climate threats shrink wetland appeared first on NorthEast Now .

NorthEast Now 5 Nov 2026 9:55 am

Why so many British pubs are closing down

British pubs are disappearing at an alarming rate. Last year, around eight closed down every week.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 8:30 am

European orbiter detects fresh hints of volcanic activity on Mars

New evidence from gas seeping above volcanic rifts suggests Mars is not geologically dead deep inside, but merely sleeping. Fresh fissures along the Alba Mons region hint at active spots under the surface, where gases from inside the planet may be making their way up to the surface.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 6:10 am

How ranchers on Brazil

Brazil

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 6:10 am

First direct observations reveal hydrogen dissolved in tiny gaps between metal atoms

University of Sydney researchers have made a breakthrough by directly observing hydrogen in the tiny spaces between the atoms in metal alloys. The world-first observation of hydrogen dissolving in these

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 5:50 am

Ancient coins suggest influential Iron Age king was female

Bournemouth University (BU) archaeological research has revealed that Iron Age British ruler

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 5:40 am

When customers cross the line: Study reveals hidden toll of harassment on gig workers

A rideshare driver picks up a passenger who makes repeated unwanted sexual comments. The ride ends, but the experience doesn

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 5:30 am

Using ChatGPT at work? Your boss may trust you less, new study finds

Artificial intelligence may be making employees faster and more productive, but it could also be quietly damaging their careers. A new study led by Samuel Meyers, a Ph.D. student, together with his adviser Dr. Yochanan Bigman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Roman Briker of WHU

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 5:20 am

Entrepreneurs who struggle to understand their emotions are less committed to their business goals, study finds

Entrepreneurs who struggle to recognize and make sense of their own emotions are less likely to feel attached to their businesses and less committed to achieving their goals, particularly in high-stress periods, according to new research from the University of Bath School of Management.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 5:10 am

Genetic interaction map could lead to better antibiotic pairings for tuberculosis

Rockefeller scientists have created the most comprehensive map to date of how essential genes interact in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (TB). The unprecedented map reveals thousands of previously unknown genetic relationships, offering a new window into the inner workings of one of the world

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 5:10 am

Flat feet may have helped Neanderthals stay stable while carrying heavy loads

In all likelihood, the Neanderthals had flat feet. But it was not a defect at all. Instead, it was the consequence of a precise functional strategy to reduce impact stress under heavy loads and maximize stability on mountainous or rough terrain.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 4:40 am

Hundreds of Ice Age rock art engravings discovered hidden in plain sight

Archaeologists have discovered the third-largest assemblage of Ice Age cave art ever found in Mediterranean Iberia in a region thought devoid of cave art, transforming our knowledge of Paleolithic European art.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 4:30 am

Trust in influencers grows more important in predicting buying intentions over time, analysis finds

A meta-analysis of empirical studies involving more than 31,000 participants has revealed the factors that affect the level of influence of so-called social media influencers. Those factors include credibility, expertise, attractiveness and perceived similarity to their followers. They are, the work shows, positively associated with the attitude of consumers toward the brands mentioned or promoted by those influencers and, in turn, their purchasing intentions. Details of the analysis are published in the International Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 4:30 am

Satellite assessment shows 73% reduction in Bhutans lake after GLOF

The Noida-based geospatial intelligence companys study indicates a supraglacial lake adjoining the GLOF-hit Sintaphu Tsho continues to remain substantially larger than its 2016 extent

The Hindu 5 Nov 2026 4:13 am

Carbon dots fluoresce their way through the rainbow as liquids change

Fluorescent materials usually emit a single consistent color. They are typically made from dyes or metallic components. In contrast, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have created carbon dots that can fluoresce in a range of colors under UV light, depending on the concentration and the liquid they

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 4:10 am

Cosmic hydrogen measurement marks breakthrough in mapping the universe

An international research project is bringing scientists closer to mapping the universe. The MeerKLASS Collaboration has reported its first measurement of the large-scale clustering of cosmic hydrogen, advancing a technique that could transform how cosmologists chart the universe.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 3:50 am

Traditional Korean paper becomes breathable patch for future wearable health care

Wearable health-monitoring devices are becoming increasingly important for personalized health care, but conventional patches often rely on substrates that restrict airflow, trap sweat and cause skin discomfort during prolonged use. These limitations can also interfere with the reliable collection and analysis of sweat, highlighting the need for breathable materials that support both comfortable wear and accurate sensing.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 3:30 am

Molecular choreography: How the p97 protein regulates cellular quality control

The p97 protein plays a central role in cellular quality control by preparing defective or no-longer-needed proteins for degradation and recycling. Researchers at the University of M

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 3:10 am

New research uncovers chiral topological phases in metals without structural order

Fermions are among the most important particles in physics and include both everyday electrons and more exotic variants. Chiral fermions, like gloves, come in left- and right-handed versions and were proposed over a century ago. While high-energy neutrinos

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 2:50 am

Why a company donating $20,000 a month counts for more than $240,000 once a year in the eyes of customers

People tend to think more highly of companies that give to charity on a monthly or weekly basis rather than donating an annual lump sum worth the same amount.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 2:30 am

Mitigating the ecological consequences of light pollution

Light pollution is one of the fastest-growing and least-regulated environmental changes worldwide. It disrupts biological processes at all levels

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 2:10 am

Evolution has repeatedly turned hawkmoth genitals into defensive tools

The genital structures of male hawkmoths are lifesavers. By rubbing specialized scales on their genitals against parts of their abdomen, the nocturnal insects emit ultrasonic sounds that can potentially scramble the acoustic signals that bats use to hunt.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 1:50 am

Northern permafrost greening masks declining plant resilience, study finds

An international study jointly led by researchers from the Department of Geography and the Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality at the Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has revealed that vegetation resilience across Northern Hemisphere permafrost regions underwent a widespread reversal around 2008, declining broadly despite continued greening.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 1:30 am

Overlooked insects are bucking the trend and becoming more abundant, study finds

Scientists have uncovered surprising evidence that many of Britain

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 1:10 am

Unveiling the science behind a beautiful singing voice

Expert listeners can often form an immediate impression of a singer

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 12:50 am

AlphaFold 3 predicts complex immune interactions using protein sequences alone

Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, have developed a new approach using the artificial intelligence platform AlphaFold 3 to predict whether a T cell receptor will recognize a specific antigen based solely on its genetic sequence. The advancement could help scientists more rapidly decode immune responses to infectious diseases, tumors and other health threats.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 12:50 am

Race, age and gender associated with experiences of harassment among gig workers

The gig economy is rapidly growing, and scholars are still working to understand the conditions gig workers encounter. Julieta Aguilar at the University of Kentucky, U.S., and Dr. Jeremy Reynolds at Purdue University, U.S., examined experiences of harassment in the gig economy. Their study, published on Nov. 4, 2026, in the journal PLOS One, found associations between race, gender, age and reported experiences of harassment, indicating that already precarious employment may be even more fraught for some workers.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 12:30 am

A 7,000-year-old piece of leather reveals a deep history of Spanish goats

Ancient DNA reveals that denizens of the Iberian Peninsula made leather from domestic goats as far back as 7,000 years ago, according to a study published Nov. 4, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Jolijn A. M. Erven of University College Dublin, Ireland, and colleagues.

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 12:30 am

Trained dogs detected invasive plant species in Germany with 75% accuracy

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. A study published Nov. 4, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth at Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 12:30 am

Scientists discover there are way more bugs in California than you thought

A new study published in the journal Ecography finds that there are more than 60,000 different species of insects in California

Phys.org 5 Nov 2026 12:30 am

Long-term temperature records reveal a surprising picture of climate change on Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is warming in some places and cooling in others, according to a new study by the University of Portsmouth, published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 11:50 pm

This fruit fly

Imagine a crowded dance floor where bodies move to the beat beneath a glittering disco ball. Some of the dancers pair up, drawn together by the heady atmosphere. For flies, as for humans, the right atmosphere can serve as a potent aphrodisiac.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 11:30 pm

Overlooked Melbourne patch reveals 45 animal species and more than 40 plant types

When we think about nature in our cities, what often comes to mind are parks and reserves

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 11:30 pm

Satellite analysis finds little evidence that data centers cause widespread ground warming

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters has found little evidence that hyperscale data centers cause significant heating of surrounding land. While a previous study suggested data centers heat surrounding land by about 2

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 11:10 pm

Fireworks provide a few minutes of joy, but the economic and environmental costs last much longer

Every Bonfire Night, people pay for a box of fireworks so their friends and family can enjoy the colorful display. Within a few minutes, it

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 11:10 pm

Assam cuts elephant attack death compensation deadline to 48 hours

Guwahati: The Assam government has reduced the deadline for disbursing compensation to the next of kin of people killed in human-elephant conflict (HEC) from 72 hours to 48 hours, Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah announced on Tuesday. The decision was announced at a meeting with senior Forest Department officials and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) at Aranya [] The post Assam cuts elephant attack death compensation deadline to 48 hours appeared first on NorthEast Now .

NorthEast Now 4 Nov 2026 10:36 pm

New species of pygmygoby discovered at the edge of the Red Sea

Researchers have described a new species of fish from the northern Red Sea, found at the entrance to a cave on a steep reef slope. Charon

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 10:30 pm

US Marine Killed At Japanese Military Base As Training Death Sparks Probe

A US Marine has died following a training incident at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan, prompting a military investigation. The 3rd Marine Division confirmed the November 3 death but has withheld the service member's identity pending notification of next of kin. The tragedy comes weeks after a US Air Force airman died following a rappelling accident at San Antonio's Alamodome. Two separate incidents have raised fresh questions about military training safety.

The Times of India 4 Nov 2026 10:25 pm

Pulsars set first mass limits on supermassive black hole pairs in the early universe

So far, observations by instruments including the James Webb Space Telescope have revealed the presence of surprisingly massive black holes in the early universe. Even less than a billion years after the Big Bang, some of these bodies already weighed billions of times the mass of the sun, and to date, astronomers are unclear as to how they could have grown so large so quickly.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 10:00 pm

A new tool helps target conservation and pollution control on the Ganges River

An estimated 6 billion liters (1.6 billion gallons) of untreated sewage is discharged daily into the Ganges River Basin, home to 650 million people. Combined with seasonal monsoon flooding, the sewage and other pollutants, including agricultural runoff and industrial waste, create a major threat to public health.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:50 pm

Tracing Darwin

Comprehensive genetic analysis has shed new light on the spread of an invasive, bloodsucking fly, which poses a devastating threat to the iconic Darwin

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:50 pm

New modeling links gaps in Earth

Research led by a University of Wollongong (UOW) Ph.D. candidate may have solved one of Earth

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:30 pm

Ancient DNA traces origins of English, German and Scandinavian languages

English, German, Dutch and the Scandinavian languages are all members of the Germanic language group, spoken by hundreds of millions of people today. But where did these languages come from?

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:30 pm

Researchers use seasonal satellite imagery to map shrub encroachment in Inner Mongolia grasslands

Researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS) used satellite images collected across the growing season to map shrub cover in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China. By tracking seasonal differences in growth, they were able to distinguish shrub patches from dense grass, which can look similar in a single image.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:20 pm

Foot-stiffening socks could make walking less tiring

Human feet are much stiffer than those of other primates, which means they limit midfoot bending during walking. The evolutionary reasons for this are not entirely clear. One idea is that the features that stiffen the foot evolved to make upright walking less effortful.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:10 pm

Lecturers and students see AI use very differently, study finds

Instructors and students have significantly different perceptions of how much generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in university studies, according to new research from The University of Manchester and Spain

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 8:30 pm

Wild animals can now GPS-collar themselves for research

For six decades, wildlife researchers have faced a persistent challenge: to attach a tracking device to study a wild animal, they first have to catch it. Now, a new approach developed at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) allows GPS collars to be deployed autonomously on free-roaming terrestrial wildlife. Published in BioScience, the proof-of-concept study demonstrates Capture-Free Telemetry (CFT), a technique that places tracking devices on wild animals as they interact with baited deployment units in their natural habitat.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 8:30 pm

Millions of bogong moths are blanketing cities in Australia, and they are still endangered

In recent weeks, people across Australia have found fluttering bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) in their homes, cars and even bedrooms. These insects have embarked on their annual migration from breeding grounds across southern Australia to the cool caves of the Australian Alps.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 8:10 pm

Seagrass helps Biscayne Bay

The mangroves of Biscayne Bay have been getting help from an unlikely neighbor

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 8:10 pm

CT scans reveal four-letter code to 400-year-old lock from Welsh shipwreck

Experts from Amgueddfa Cymru and Cardiff University have used cutting-edge CT scanning technology to unlock a centuries-old combination lock recovered from one of Wales

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 7:50 pm

Smiling can make you happier

Nicholas Coles, Ph.D., had long heard that forcing a smile can make you feel a little happier

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 7:30 pm

Scientists develop novel model to forecast internal solitary waves from multiple sources in the Sulu Sea

A research team led by Professor Li Xiaofeng from the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) has developed a model to forecast internal solitary waves originating from multiple sources in the Sulu Sea. The model combines physical equations and satellite observations to predict wave arrival times and crest positions across this complex marine environment.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 7:30 pm

The Oily Nature of War

Is war one of many unfortunate coincidences lining up to decrease oil supply and increase profits for energy companies? ... The post The Oily Nature of War appeared first on The New American .

thenewamerican 4 Nov 2026 7:30 pm

Tiny melt traces shed light on the Colorado Plateau

Deep beneath Earth

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 7:10 pm

North Africas green hydrogen exports to Europe could harm water supply and marine life: study

The research found that producing green hydrogen in desert areas in Australia, Chile and north Africa needs far more water than the industry claims. It also found serious environmental risks that had been overlooked

The Hindu 4 Nov 2026 12:01 pm

Testing Einstein

Are the laws of physics truly the same everywhere in the universe? This fundamental principle, known as Lorentz invariance, lies at the heart of Einstein

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 10:30 am

Who killed British archaeologist James Starkey? Archival records shed light on an 88-year-old mystery

Eighty-eight years after pioneering British archaeologist Starkey was shot dead while traveling from the ancient city of Lachish to Jerusalem, researchers say they have uncovered compelling new evidence explaining who was behind his murder

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 9:10 am

How anxiety over climate change affects college students

College undergraduates are anxious about climate change, with many feeling powerless and frustrated about Earth

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 8:30 am

One in 15 adults has experienced AI-generated image-based abuse, study finds

Around one in 15 adults has experienced AI-generated image-based abuse, according to a new study. The general-population survey of more than 7,200 adults in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia found 7% had experienced at least one form of AI-generated image-based abuse since turning 18.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 8:10 am

Want more social media engagement? Research suggests changing the message, not your personality

Want more engagement on social media? Stop repeating yourself. Just don

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 7:50 am

Digitalization front-runners are more vulnerable to cyberattacks

For many business leaders, digitalization is associated with promises of greater efficiency and productivity. However, a new study by professor of accounting Jukka Sihvonen from the University of Vaasa, Finland, suggests that increasing digitalization may also raise a company

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 7:00 am

GRAP 2 restrictions in Delhi: Whats allowed and whats not

Delhi imposes GRAP Stage 2 restrictions as AQI hits very poor; bans for older vehicles, boosts parking fees, and encourages usage of public transport. Heres what allowed and whats not.

The Hindu 4 Nov 2026 6:13 am

North Atlantic

Climate observers have long tied the strength of a major ocean current to water temperatures in the so-called

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 6:10 am

How the nasal microbiome can help potentially harmful bacteria thrive

Our noses are home to many different species of bacteria living side by side. One of them may be S. aureus. Many people carry this bacterium without knowing it, although it can cause serious infections. Why S. aureus colonizes some people persistently but not others remains only partly understood.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 6:10 am

Using vibrations to reveal what lies beneath other planets

Modern space exploration hasn

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 5:40 am

Tiny fossils show brittle stars gathered around a dead whale 9.5 million years ago

Tiny skeletal plates recovered beside fossil whale bones in southern Denmark offer a rare glimpse of life around a whale carcass approximately 9.5 million years ago. Researchers have identified a new species of brittle star, Ophiura huebnerjenseni, from the Gram Clay Pit and suggest it represents the first fossil record of brittle stars associated with a whale fall.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 5:30 am

Disillusion runs deep among young Americans, poll reveals

The kids are not all right on the future. For the first time in the 26-year history of the Harvard Youth Poll, more respondents expect to be worse off financially than their parents (27%) than better off (25%).

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 5:30 am

Southern Ocean waters reveal distinct nutrient recycling pathways during decades-long journeys north

The Southern Ocean may seem far removed from the North Pacific or the Gulf of Maine, but its waters are linked to all the world

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 5:20 am

Finding the fingerprints of noisy distributions in random quantum systems

Imagine shuffling a deck of cards where some of the cards are fading just because of the way they interact with the external environment as you shuffle them. Your job is to figure out the interplay between the shuffling, or

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 5:10 am

Tijuana River pollution doesn

Waste dumped into the Tijuana River can travel seven times farther than expected before becoming airborne and affecting San Diego

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 5:00 am

New framework helps turn biodiversity goals into measurable action

The new study by Newcastle University and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) offers a practical roadmap for tracking progress toward halting species extinctions by 2050. It guides users from understanding where species are most at risk in a given area, through taking action to reduce species threats, to measuring the real-world impact of conservation efforts on reducing species extinction risk over time.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 4:50 am

Cooking is a bigger source of harmful air particles than vehicle exhausts in London and Beijing

There have been decades of regulations to make vehicles greener and improve air quality in London and Beijing, as well as a popular shift toward less polluting road transport. Now, total emissions of harmful air pollutants from vehicle exhausts are lower than those from cooking in the centers of these two megacities, a study has found.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 4:50 am

Body size, not competition, may kick-start evolution

A new evolutionary theory suggests changes in body size, rather than competition for food and habitat, may drive the earliest physical differences between species.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 4:40 am

Talk of the town: Virtual world gets stroke survivors talking

Have you ever felt like you know exactly what you want to say, but just can

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 4:30 am

Scarcer food may have pushed early humans to rework stone tools for longer use

About 300,000 years ago, the emergence of the first Homo sapiens in Africa was accompanied by major cultural and technological changes, marking the beginning of a new archaeological period, the Middle Stone Age. At that time, African landscapes were also undergoing profound transformations. To understand how the earliest members of our species lived and adapted, it is therefore essential to reconstruct the environments in which they lived.

Phys.org 4 Nov 2026 4:30 am