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Genuinely interesting science stories — discoveries, research, and ideas worth knowing about.

4,051 articles

Science
Phys.org·

Mathematicians Challenge Dark Energy Model With New Einstein-Euler Analysis

Mathematicians are challenging the idea that dark energy is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. In a new paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, mathematicians from the University of California, Davis, provide mathematical proof that instabilities inherent in the Einstein-Euler equations imply that the current model of the expanding universe is not viable.

Science
Phys.org·

Survey of 12,000 Children Finds One in Six Experience Tech-Facilitated Sexual Abuse

One in six internet-using children from a survey of nearly 12,000 children in 12 countries across Asia and Africa are found to experience at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, with many experiences undisclosed, according to research published in Nature. The findings may help to inform prevention and response efforts where coordinated action by policymakers, law enforcement, and technology companies is urgently needed to protect children.

Science
NASA News·

NASA's X-59 Tests Lower-Speed, Lower-Altitude Supersonic Flight Operations

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on April 28, 2026, during testing focused on lower-speed and altitude flight conditions in support of NASA’s Quesst mission. The X-59 has completed initial test flights at high altitudes and near-supersonic speeds, opening the door for additional flights focused […]

Science
Phys.org·

Researchers Debate Whether Psychopathy Is Distinct Disorder or Spectrum of Traits

As an expert on personality disorders, people often ask me about psychopathy. It seems everybody has had an ex, a boss, a neighbor or a relative who they suspect has traits of it. People are curious about how to recognize psychopathy, and whether it can explain certain harmful behavior. It's easy to see why. Psychopathic people are everywhere—from books and movies to newspaper articles and academic papers.

Science
Phys.org·

Plants Release Chemical Signals That Recruit Wasps to Kill Attacking Caterpillars

Some plants are not the sitting ducks they appear to be when they come under attack. If a hungry caterpillar starts to chomp on the succulent leaves of a common bean plant, a highly sophisticated defense system kicks into action. The plant sends out a chemical distress signal that summons predatory wasps to its aid. Now, a study published in the journal Science Advances reveals how the plant pulls off this trick.

Science
Phys.org·

Certain Agricultural Soils Naturally Suppress Damaging Crop Fungus

Curtin University researchers have discovered some agricultural soils can naturally suppress one of Australia's most damaging broadacre crop diseases. The research, published in the journal Applied Soil Ecology, found some soils can inhibit infection and survival of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum—the fungus responsible for Sclerotinia stem rot, a disease that causes significant yield losses in broadacre crops such as canola and pulses.

Science
Phys.org·

Cobalt Honeycomb Structure Shows Promise for More Affordable Quantum Computing

Honeycombs are famous for their elegant design, but now they may have found a new application: quantum computing. To collect knowledge from subatomic particles, quantum computers require carefully designed materials capable of performing necessary, complex functions. However, the metals used, such as ruthenium and iridium, are often rare and expensive, limiting the potential to build new technology.

Science
Phys.org·

Bare Supercontinent May Have Triggered Snowball Earth Episode

About a billion years ago, Earth started to come into its own. It was past the awkwardness of its younger years full of growing pains and turmoil: comet strikes and slimy water, including the Great Oxidation Event that flipped the world upside down. Roughly a billion years ago, the planet began to advance and mature, with plant life developing about 700 million years ago, but still with the occasional wild climate parties to keep things interesting.

Science
Phys.org·

Platform Accelerates Engineering of Heat-Resistant Microbes for Industrial Manufacturing

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a platform that engineers heat-loving microbes for industrial-scale manufacturing in a matter of weeks compared with previous approaches that can take months to years. This biotechnology tool strengthens American manufacturing capacity, supporting long-term energy security and global competitiveness.

Science
Phys.org·

Ancient Panama Elites Buried with Colombian Emeralds Traded 700+ Kilometers

More than 1,000 years ago, Panama elites were buried together with translucent green stones long suspected to be emeralds. However, scientific analysis confirming the suspicion has never been conducted. Now, scientists have confirmed for the first time that these green gems were emeralds that traveled more than 700 km through complex trade networks linking Central and South American societies.

Science
Phys.org·

New Statistical Method Estimates Undetected Species in Wildlife Surveys

When researchers survey wildlife in a lake, forest, or other habitat, they rarely capture every species present—some are simply too rare or elusive to detect. A new study published in the May issue of Ecological Informatics addresses this longstanding challenge by offering a more powerful statistical method to estimate not just the species scientists can see, but also the ones they're likely missing.