Phys.org news

Phys.org / Common cancer protein may be therapeutic target, study finds

A protein doctors routinely use to measure how aggressively tumors are growing may also help prevent the chromosome errors that drive cancer, new research by academics at Brunel University of London suggests.

1 hour ago
Phys.org / Why some water fleas suddenly grow helmets: Key receptors reveal how predator warnings trigger defense

Daphnia, commonly known as water fleas, are tiny crustaceans that live in freshwater ponds and lakes. When they sense predators in their surroundings, these small organisms can swiftly move away or adapt their body shape, ...

2 hours ago
Phys.org / Medieval teeth open a new perspective on leprosy care and toxic medicine

A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, led by Dr. Elena Fiorin and her colleagues investigated the potential use of mercury-based treatments for leprosy during the late medieval period. Typically, ...

6 hours ago
Phys.org / Saturday Citations: Prehistoric dentistry; sleep and aging; our photogenic sun

This week in science news: Are you a mosquito magnet? Here's why. Researchers using topological mathematics have uncovered a hidden rule in abstract art that corresponds to people's perceptions. And scientists developed a ...

5 hours ago
Phys.org / New recyclable protein textiles could cut microplastic pollution and lower clothing waste

The textile industry produces a substantial portion of the world's waste, with only about 12% of fiber materials ending up in recycling. Textiles also account for much of the microplastics in oceans. During every wash cycle, ...

3 hours ago
Phys.org / Lobster embryo microbiomes remain resilient in future ocean conditions, sequencing reveals

As ocean temperatures rise and marine ecosystems change, scientists are working to understand how valuable species like the American lobster will respond. New research from William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine ...

4 hours ago
Phys.org / Neuron imaging captures unconventional receptor route that supports synaptic communication

All cells, whether big or small, short or long, rely on proteins to function properly. In most cells, transporting these proteins is relatively simple. Neurons in the brain, however, face a significant logistical challenge ...

23 hours ago
Phys.org / RNA's first letter may shape antiviral alarms, with A outpacing G

Researchers at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB), led by Prof. Gracjan Michlewski, have shown that a subtle difference at the very beginning of an RNA molecule can influence how strongly ...

20 hours ago
Phys.org / Scientists identify hidden accelerant in Antarctic ice loss

For years, scientists have warned that melting Antarctic ice could push sea levels dangerously higher by the end of this century. But a new study led by University of Maryland scientist Madeleine Youngs suggests those warnings ...

23 hours ago
Phys.org / Sustainable chemistry: Iron substitutes noble metals in catalytic reactions

The production of many products used in everyday life and in industry, such as pharmaceuticals, plastics, and coatings, requires chemical catalysts, often expensive noble metals with limited availability. Researchers at the ...

22 hours ago
Phys.org / A hidden threshold enables tunable control of liquid crystal helices for energy-efficient technologies

Liquid crystals are an integral part of modern technology, ranging from displays to advanced sensory systems. In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from the Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak ...

23 hours ago
Phys.org / Why is almost everyone right-handed? The answer may lie in how we learned to walk

It is one of the strangest puzzles in human evolution. About 90% of people across every human culture favor their right hand—with no other primate species showing a population-level preference on this scale. Despite decades ...

May 15, 2026