{"@attributes":{"version":"2.0"},"channel":{"title":"Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/","language":"en-us","description":"Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine.","item":[{"title":"Black teachers improve outcomes for all students, but the profession remains largely white","description":"Having Black teachers and other educators of color improves students' classroom experiences, research shows. They often serve as role models, set high academic expectations and teach material that connects to students' lives outside of schools.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-black-teachers-outcomes-students-largely.html","category":"Education","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 20:30:03 EDT","guid":"news699540038"},{"title":"Medieval pandemic left a hidden legacy in Europe's oldest trees","description":"A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates how radiocarbon dating can reveal the maximum lifespan of Mediterranean hardwoods, uncovering hidden links between human history and long-term ecosystem dynamics. By analyzing mature and ancient oak trees across Italy, researchers found that a millennium of age is attainable from the Mediterranean coast to mountain environments.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-medieval-pandemic-left-hidden-legacy.html","category":"Plants & Animals","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:40:01 EDT","guid":"news699875318"},{"title":"Q&A: Why are white-Black marriage rates so low?","description":"Americans rarely marry outside of their race or class in a nation where residential segregation is relatively common. It is a dynamic widely viewed as a contributing factor to income inequality and intergenerational social mobility.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-qa-white-black-marriage.html","category":"Social Sciences","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:30:02 EDT","guid":"news699707115"},{"title":"120,000-year-old European fallow deer\u2014tracing the loss of genetic diversity","description":"European fallow deer have faced a dramatic loss of genetic diversity since the last interglacial period. This was revealed by 120,000-year-old fossils from central Germany's Neumark-Nord site in Saxony-Anhalt, analyzed by researchers from the University of Potsdam, the MONREPOS Research Center and Museum in Neuwied, and Leiden University. Their results have been published in the journal iScience. Modern fallow deer thus represent just a fraction of their Ice Age ancestors' variety. The study highlights how climate and human actions substantially reshaped a once-diverse species and may help inform conservation action.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-year-european-fallow-deer-loss.html","category":"Plants & Animals","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:40:02 EDT","guid":"news699874805"},{"title":"Ever seen a cave cricket? Australia now has three new species of these spindly, spider-like creatures","description":"When you picture a cave, you probably think of an environment devoid of life. But for most caves on Earth, this couldn't be further from the truth.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-cave-cricket-australia-species-spindly.html","category":"Plants & Animals","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:00:03 EDT","guid":"news699624134"},{"title":"Infrastructure for African mines destroying forests at 34 times the rate of the mines themselves","description":"Industrial-scale mining in Africa to support global supply chains is leading to unprecedented deforestation across the continent, with 34 hectares of forest removed for every single hectare of active mine site.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-infrastructure-african-destroying-forests.html","category":"Environment","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:00:03 EDT","guid":"news699720306"},{"title":"AI-generated compounds hit specific cell types and outperform conventional screening","description":"The classical drug discovery paradigm begins with a known molecular target: a protein whose modulation is expected to reverse the course of a disease. However, in many pathologies, such a target does not always exist or is not sufficiently characterized.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-ai-generated-compounds-specific-cell.html","category":"Analytical Chemistry","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:40:01 EDT","guid":"news699978465"},{"title":"Previously unknown detoxification pathway for chloromethane revealed","description":"Chloromethane is a gas that is toxic to humans and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. It is produced during the combustion of coal, biomass and other raw materials. Natural sources such as algae, plants and fungi also release it. A research team led by biologist Prof. Julia Kurth from the University of M\u00fcnster has discovered and characterized a previously unknown enzyme system in anaerobic bacteria of the species Acetobacterium dehalogenans. This system converts the gas into nontoxic substances. The results, published in the journal Nature Communications, are of interest for environmental remediation, climate research and biotechnology.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-previously-unknown-detoxification-pathway-chloromethane.html","category":"Molecular & Computational biology","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:00:01 EDT","guid":"news699874689"},{"title":"Mount Etna eruptions reveal carbon dioxide and water can trigger separate explosive paths","description":"The plumbing systems of volcanoes are vast and complex. But they aren't consistent, even in the same volcano. A Cornell-led collaboration found very different mechanisms behind two historic eruptions of Mount Etna in Italy. Understanding these dynamics\u2014combined with the techniques that revealed them\u2014can help geologists assess the risk of future eruptions.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-mount-etna-eruptions-reveal-carbon.html","category":"Earth Sciences","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:06 EDT","guid":"news699624667"},{"title":"Africa's climate crisis is a legal crisis too: What are states' duties under human rights law?","description":"A landmark climate case is being heard by the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. The request was brought by the Pan African Lawyers Union and other African civil society organizations. They've asked the court to issue advice on what responsibilities African governments have to protect their countries against the climate crisis and move away from an economy that harms the environment.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-africa-climate-crisis-legal-states.html","category":"Environment","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:01 EDT","guid":"news699540222"},{"title":"Predictive surrogates could cut quantum computing measurement overhead by more than 99.97%","description":"Quantum computers, systems that process information leveraging quantum mechanical effects, have the potential of outperforming classical computers on some tasks. Despite their potential, the use of these systems remains very limited, due to their high cost and other challenges that have so far prevented their large-scale fabrication.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-surrogates-quantum-overhead.html","category":"Quantum Physics","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:20:01 EDT","guid":"news699875533"},{"title":"Sweet basil carbon dots show potential for sustainable agriculture","description":"What if a common herb found in the kitchen could help farmers grow healthier crops? As the global population grows and agriculture faces increasing environmental challenges, scientists are searching for innovative ways to improve crop productivity while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-sweet-basil-carbon-dots-potential.html","category":"Biotechnology","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:40:02 EDT","guid":"news699871272"},{"title":"Smart surfaces face zero gravity test in boiling heat experiments","description":"A research team led by Davoud Jafari at the University of Twente, in collaboration with the University of Pisa, has completed a series of parabolic flight experiments to investigate advanced smart surfaces under rapidly changing gravity conditions. Conducted aboard the Air Zero G aircraft operated by Novespace, the campaign integrated additive manufacturing, boiling heat transfer and electric field control into a single experimental platform as part of the #SmartSkin project.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-smart-surfaces-gravity.html","category":"Space Exploration","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:30:01 EDT","guid":"news699873176"},{"title":"MUSE maps spiral galaxy W2246f, uncovering old core and ongoing star formation across disk","description":"Astronomers have employed the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to perform deep spectroscopic observations of a peculiar spiral galaxy known as W2246f. Results of the observational campaign, published May 27 on the pre-print server arXiv, offer new insights into how this galaxy evolved and shed more light on its nature.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-muse-spiral-galaxy-w2246f-uncovering.html","category":"Astronomy","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:00:01 EDT","guid":"news699872311"},{"title":"NZ's new forestry rules promise consistency: Will they also increase environmental risk?","description":"One of the most important changes to New Zealand's environmental regulations in recent years came into force this week. Yet outside policy circles, the forestry sector and a handful of councils, few people are likely to have noticed.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-nz-forestry-environmental.html","category":"Environment","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:20:01 EDT","guid":"news699859382"},{"title":"Hair-size microrobots combine three cancer-fighting functions in preclinical animal tests","description":"Imagine a future where cancer treatment affects only the tumor, where eye injections are no longer required and brain surgeries don't result in large incisions or long recovery times. That's the future researchers at Michigan State University are working toward.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-hair-size-microrobots-combine-cancer.html","category":"Bio & Medicine","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:00:03 EDT","guid":"news699627985"},{"title":"Canada's aerial wildfire\u2011fighting plan is a start\u2014but it is not yet a strategy","description":"The Canadian government recently announced that it will lease a fleet of 10 firefighting aircraft and other support assets to be deployed for the 2026 wildfire season. The plan will see these 10 leased aircraft being managed by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center deployed strategically across the country and made available to provinces as they face intense wildfires.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-canada-aerial-wildfirefighting-strategy.html","category":"Environment","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:00:01 EDT","guid":"news699706926"},{"title":"Volcanic eruptions linked to rising famine risk across China's history","description":"Large volcanic eruptions may have played a bigger role in triggering historical famines across China than previously understood, according to a new study that traced links between eruptions, climate disruption, and food shortages over more than four centuries.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-volcanic-eruptions-linked-famine-china.html","category":"Earth Sciences","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:20:01 EDT","guid":"news699624109"},{"title":"Green space exposure, mental health and the nasal microbiome explored","description":"Plenty of studies have linked exposure to nature to a wide variety of health benefits, from improved cognitive function to lower blood pressure to better mental health. Other research has found connections between the human microbiome and time spent outside. But an overlooked, understudied player in that connection is the assemblage of microbes found in the nose, or the nasal microbiome.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-green-space-exposure-mental-health.html","category":"Cell & Microbiology","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:00:02 EDT","guid":"news699884942"},{"title":"Concerns over camper wastewater chemicals in regional wastewater systems","description":"The surge in caravan and camper usage within Australia could place extra pressure on regional wastewater treatment systems because of the chemicals commonly used in caravan and camper toilet systems, according to new research from Flinders University. When people using caravans empty their toilet waste at roadside dumpsites, caravan parks and regional dump stations, the wastewater\u2014which contains concentrated detergent, deodorizer and sanitizer chemicals\u2014is transported to local wastewater treatment plants.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-camper-wastewater-chemicals-regional.html","category":"Environment","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:30:02 EDT","guid":"news699866884"},{"title":"Scientists identify the origin of noise in spin qubit quantum processors","description":"A spin qubit, in which quantum information is encoded in the spin state of an electron, is one of the most promising platforms for quantum computing. Spin qubits exhibit long coherence times and are compatible with advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies. The leading implementation of spin qubits involves confined electrons inside quantum dots, a nanoscale semiconductor architecture that behaves like a controllable artificial atom. Recent advances have enabled high-fidelity operation of single- and two-qubit gates, exceeding the threshold required for certain surface code quantum error correction techniques.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-scientists-noise-qubit-quantum-processors.html","category":"Quantum Physics","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:00:03 EDT","guid":"news699874934"},{"title":"Saturday Citations: Greenland sharks; quantum weirdness; people are mostly pretty chill","description":"This week, researchers reported that GLP-1 medications may influence the biology of aging. Hidden meltwater in deep Antarctic coastal waters has a strong climate impact. And a novel prostate cancer treatment reduced risk of disease progression by half in a clinical trial.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-saturday-citations-greenland-sharks-quantum.html","category":"Other","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:00:01 EDT","guid":"news699879140"},{"title":"SpaceX signs pre-IPO deal to provide AI computing to Google","description":"SpaceX on Friday signed a blockbuster cloud computing agreement under which Google will pay the Elon Musk-founded rocket company $920 million per month for access to a massive cluster of AI chips, according to a disclosure in its initial public offering filing.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-spacex-pre-ipo-ai-google.html","category":"Space Exploration","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:20:01 EDT","guid":"news699949417"},{"title":"Birth rates are declining in most of the world\u2014here's why it really matters","description":"Birth rates have been declining worldwide since the peak of the post-Second World War baby boom. Birth rates have now reached below replacement in most of the world, including Australia. Put simply, populations on average aren't replacing themselves.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-birth-declining-world.html","category":"Social Sciences","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:00:05 EDT","guid":"news699529233"},{"title":"The World Cup pitches are the result of years of engineering to find just the right grass","description":"The World Cup pitches cover so much ground they'll be hard to ignore. The crews that put them there would prefer if fans didn't notice them at all.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-world-cup-pitches-result-years.html","category":"Other","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:40:01 EDT","guid":"news699949132"},{"title":"SpaceX denied fast track to S&P 500 after IPO","description":"SpaceX has been denied a fast track into the S&P 500 when the rocket and satellite company goes public, in a ruling that cuts off quick access to one of the biggest pools of Wall Street money.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-spacex-denied-fast-track-sp.html","category":"Space Exploration","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:26:02 EDT","guid":"news699949551"},{"title":"US reports second case of dangerous livestock pest","description":"The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Friday it has detected a second case of a dangerous livestock pest whose flesh-eating larvae can kill cattle.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-case-dangerous-livestock-pest.html","category":"Agriculture","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:23:31 EDT","guid":"news699949366"},{"title":"Texas governor wants to speed up work on a fly-breeding factory to fight a cattle parasite","description":"Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed concern Friday that a new factory isn't expected to start breeding sterile New World screwworm flies for more than a year as a big part of the effort to stop its flesh-eating larvae from threatening the $113 U.S. billion cattle industry.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-texas-governor-fly-factory-cattle.html","category":"Agriculture","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:20:01 EDT","guid":"news699949055"},{"title":"Astronauts briefly take shelter during repair to fix leak on the International Space Station","description":"NASA on Friday temporarily ordered astronauts to take shelter during repairs to fix a fresh leak aboard the International Space Station.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-astronauts-briefly-leak-international-space.html","category":"Space Exploration","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:19:51 EDT","guid":"news699949154"},{"title":"Americans share the same struggles despite deep political divides, new bipartisan report finds","description":"As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary amid deep political division, a major new bipartisan report aims to get consensus on a fundamental question: How are we really doing as a country? The new \"State of the States\" report, released by the State of the Nation Project at Tulane University, has analyzed more than three decades of data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, to provide a long-term progress report for each state.","link":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-06-americans-struggles-deep-political-bipartisan.html","category":"Political science","pubDate":"Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:02 EDT","guid":"news699808955"}]}}