Phys.org news
Phys.org / How gene swapping helped build the planet's decomposers
Decomposers are crucial for keeping Earth habitable, breaking down dead biomass and returning key nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, to the ecosystem. Most decomposers, including fungi, survive through osmotrophy—a ...
Phys.org / Wonderwerk Cave bones reveal possible fire use by human ancestors 1.79 million years ago
The discovery of fire was a major milestone in human evolution, giving our ancestors a way to stay warm, ward off predators, and eventually start cooking food. But exactly when this first happened is still intensely debated, ...
Phys.org / Lunar orbiter concept could reveal five key elements across moon in two years
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have used simulations to show that a newly developed, compact X-ray telescope could be used to map the chemical composition of the entire lunar surface, a vital breakthrough ...
Phys.org / Atlantic 'cold blob' caused by weakening ocean current system that's likely nearing a tipping point, reanalysis finds
A part of the Atlantic Ocean, just south of Greenland and Iceland, has been cooling off while the rest of the world gets hotter. This enigmatic patch is often referred to as the "cold blob" and scientists have been trying ...
Phys.org / Continuous stirring made early life-like RNA systems more extinction-prone, experiment shows
Recent research showed that an artificially constructed self-replicating RNA system modeling primitive life at the origin of life evolved to become more prone to extinction under certain experimental conditions.
Phys.org / 'Flawless on the outside, flipped within': Detecting hidden defects in 2D dielectrics with light
A material may appear flawless on the surface yet fail to function properly. The cause lies in structural defects hidden within two-dimensional thin films, which are considered key materials for next-generation semiconductor ...
Phys.org / Epigenetic changes can be inherited without changing DNA in animals
Typically, the information encoded in DNA allows organisms to develop, function, and pass traits across generations. Yet DNA alone does not explain how genes are switched on and off in different cells and environments. This ...
Phys.org / Quantum circuits help AI overcome memory limitations with minimal new parameters
For millions of people, chatbots powered by large language models (LLMs) are now a key feature of everyday life. These AI systems are growing at a rapid pace, but scaling them up is becoming increasingly costly and resource-intensive.
Phys.org / Gold nanoparticles unlock vibrant structural colors across the visible spectrum
Colloidal photonic glasses offer an appealing way to produce vivid colors without any chemical dyes—but so far, a stubborn optical effect has long prevented them from generating a true red color. Now, Yuwon Jeon and colleagues ...
Phys.org / Terahertz biophotonics: Understanding the path towards practical applications for biological imaging
Biophotonics is a multidisciplinary field that involves the development and application of light-based technologies to study, monitor and treat biological systems. The ability to directly image cells and molecules has led ...
Phys.org / First nonrepeating biological clock discovered in C. elegans guides growth
Imagine a train parked at the station. Passengers climb aboard and find their seats. Conductors move up and down the aisles, checking tickets. But there's a problem—the engineer's watch is broken. As a result, the doors never ...
Phys.org / Machine learning uncovers 1,750 quakes tracing 250-kilometer edge of Alaska microplate
Thousands of small earthquakes, detected for the first time by a machine-learning process, reveal the distinct, razor-sharp edge of the Yakutat microplate as it subducts beneath the North American plate.
