Phys.org news
Phys.org / Complex life on planets orbiting the galaxy's most common stars may be unlikely
In a blow to anyone dreaming that complex life may exist elsewhere in the universe, a new study suggests we're unlikely to find it around many of the most common stars in the galaxy.
Phys.org / Yeast DNA changes reveal hidden triggers for cancer-linked chromosome chaos
Changes in genes have been linked to the development of different diseases for a while. However, it's not exactly clear what the mechanisms, or the causes behind those specific genetic changes, are. Recent studies using fission ...
Phys.org / Atmospheric physicists find error in widely cited Arctic snow cover observations
For decades, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has offered a snapshot of the planet's changing climate—but University of Toronto researchers have found that some of the underlying data ...
Phys.org / Robotic nanoprobe enables precise extraction of a single mitochondrion from a living cell
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various chronic diseases and cancers, including neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic syndrome. Gently extracting a single mitochondrion from within a living cell—without ...
Phys.org / Designer enzyme enables yeast to produce custom fatty acids, reducing need for palm oil
Whether they are laundry detergents, mascara, or Christmas chocolate, many everyday products contain fatty acids from palm oil or coconut oil. However, the extraction of these raw materials is associated with massive environmental ...
Phys.org / How E. coli exploit fluid flow and channel shape to swim upstream and cause infections
"The UN estimates that by 2050, common bacterial infections could kill more people than cancer," says Arnold Mathijssen, a biophysicist at the University of Pennsylvania who studies how active particles like bacteria move ...
Phys.org / Tiny Mars's big impact on Earth's climate: How the red planet's pull shapes ice ages
At half the size of Earth and one-tenth its mass, Mars is a featherweight as far as planets go. Yet new research reveals the extent to which Mars is quietly tugging on Earth's orbit and shaping the cycles that drive long-term ...
Phys.org / Aerosol pollution found to thicken fog over Northern India—especially at night
Frequent, thick winter fog events are a common nuisance in Northern India, exacerbated by heavy air pollution and dense aerosol concentrations. Because these fog events often cause major disruptions to transportation and ...
Phys.org / Open-source model more accurately measures greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas
McGill engineering researchers have introduced an open-source model that makes it easier for experts and non-experts alike to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. natural gas supply chains and yields more accurate ...
Phys.org / Fruit flies' embryonic stage reveals that climate adaptation begins early
As the climate changes, scientists are concerned about how well plants and animals will adapt to rapid warming. A new University of Vermont study has explored the early embryonic life stage of a globally common fruit fly, ...
Phys.org / Fungal mechanism reveals how powdery mildew overcomes wheat immune defenses
Cereals have natural resistance to pathogenic fungi, but powdery mildew, for example, can overcome this resistance. A team at the University of Zurich has now discovered a new mechanism that enables powdery mildew to outsmart ...
Phys.org / Sinking boreal trees in the deep Arctic Ocean could remove billions of tons of carbon each year
Global efforts to reduce pollution will not be enough to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, scientists say. We will also need to extract over 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year for the ...
