EurekAlert! News by Subject: Chemistry & Physics - News by Subject: Chemistry & Physics

Chemistry & Physics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 29-Apr-2025 12:08 ET (29-Apr-2025 16:08 GMT/UTC)

Decadal climate patterns reveal new insights into tropical cyclone formation and ENSO link

Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study by the CAS Institute of Atmospheric Physics has revealed how decadal-scale climate fluctuations impact the ability of climate models to simulate tropical cyclone frequency in response to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events.

Journal: Climate Dynamics

Argonne to help drive AI revolution in astronomy with new institute led by Northwestern University

DOE/Argonne National Laboratory
Grant and Award Announcement

A group of institutions, including Argonne National Laboratory, received a $20 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation and Simons Foundation to establish an AI and astronomy institute called the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI).

Breakthrough study shows coral reefs will transform but can persist, if carbon is curbed

University of Hawaii at Manoa
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a breakthrough study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have shown that, contrary to most projections, coral reefs are not inevitably doomed, but have the potential to persist and adapt over time, if carbon emissions are curbed and local stressors are addressed.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Funder: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The secrets of baseball's magic mud

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The unique properties of baseball’s famed “magic” mud, which MLB equipment managers applied to every ball in the World Series, have never been scientifically quantified — until now. In a new paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science (Penn Engineering) and School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) reveal what makes the magic mud so special.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, NASA Planetary Science and Technology Through Analog Research Program, Army Research Office, U.S. National Science Foundation

American Physical Society recognizes ORNL’s historic Graphite Reactor

DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Grant and Award Announcement

The American Physical Society has recognized the Graphite Reactor, located at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as an APS historic site. APS President Young-Kee Kim presented a plaque commemorating the recognition on Monday, Nov. 4, the 81st anniversary of the reactor’s first achieving criticality in 1943.

NIH study finds exposure to flame-retardant chemicals during pregnancy was associated with varying childhood obesity risks

Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Study reveals a complex link between pregnancy exposure to common chemicals and childhood obesity, researchers say.

Journal: Environment International

Building the materials for the next generation of nuclear reactor

Texas A&M University
Grant and Award Announcement

Three Texas A&M nuclear engineering Ph.D. students and one recent Ph.D. graduate won Rapid Turnaround Experiment funding to research new nuclear reactor materials.

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy