Phys.org news

Phys.org / How an unlikely all-female clonal fish species copied and pasted itself free from extinction

The tiny Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa) has always fascinated researchers because, according to the rules of evolution, it shouldn't have survived as a species, let alone thrive as a species for over 100,000 years. Using ...

7 hours ago
Phys.org / Quantum computers must overcome major technical hurdles before tackling quantum chemistry problems

Although the potential applications of quantum computing are widespread, a new feasibility study suggests quantum computers still face major hurdles in solving quantum chemistry problems. The study, published in Physical ...

8 hours ago
Phys.org / Quantum dots generate entangled photon pairs on demand

For the first time, researchers in China have demonstrated how quantum dots can be engineered to consistently generate pairs of entangled photons. By carefully tailoring the photonic environment surrounding a single quantum ...

9 hours ago
Phys.org / Real-time protein quality control keeps cells healthy

Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a biochemical technique that captures fleeting "handshakes" between newly made proteins and the cellular helpers. These short interactions are important ...

5 hours ago
Phys.org / In a South Carolina swamp, researchers uncover secrets of firefly synchrony

In the middle of the old-growth forests of Congaree National Park in South Carolina, fireflies put on an otherworldly display every May. Thousands of male insects belonging to the species Photuris frontalis flash together ...

2 hours ago
Phys.org / Bright pink insect stands out to blend in, scientists say

A tropical insect has been found to change color from vivid hot pink to green within a fortnight, which scientists believe may mimic the young leaves of rainforest plants. The findings, published this week in the journal ...

4 hours ago
Phys.org / Can plants count? Study suggests they can track the number of events they experience

It's long been assumed that for an organism to learn, remember or draw conclusions, it needs a brain. But mounting evidence, including a recent Cognitive Science study, challenges that assumption, suggesting that neurons ...

5 hours ago
Phys.org / Bacterial strain breaks decades-old bottleneck in chemotherapy drug manufacturing

An international team of researchers has achieved a breakthrough in the production of doxorubicin, a vital chemotherapy agent. The study identifies and resolves molecular "bottlenecks" that have limited the natural production ...

5 hours ago
Phys.org / Huge dinosaur bone may reveal the origins of T. rex

Tyrannosaurus rex is one of the most recognizable names of the dinosaur world, a hulking and terrifying meat-eating behemoth. While fossil remains have been extensively studied, not much is known about its family history ...

10 hours ago
Phys.org / How flexible protein regions retain their function via motifs and chemical context

A new LMU study shows how proteins function reliably even without a stable 3D structure—and the crucial importance not only of short sequence motifs, but also of chemical characteristics.

4 hours ago
Phys.org / Improperly disposed wet wipes could shed microplastics in rivers

Wet wipes conveniently clean and sanitize soiled surfaces and skin. Because some labels do not clearly indicate how consumers should dispose of them, these small cloths are often flushed down the toilet and released by sewage ...

2 hours ago
Phys.org / Ultrasound-based approach to delivering potent drugs into cancer cells shows promise in benchtop experiments

Engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a technique that uses microbubbles and ultrasound to help relatively large cancer drugs enter tumor cells and cause them to self-destruct. Dubbed "Sonoporation-assisted Precise ...

6 hours ago