Phys.org news

Phys.org / Successful experiments uncover new island of asymmetric fission

An international team of scientists has identified an unexpected region of heavy, neutron-deficient isotopes in the nuclear chart where nuclear fission is predominantly governed by an asymmetric mode. The experiment was conducted ...

May 14, 2025 in Physics
Phys.org / Q&A: A generative AI technique for designing RNA with improved function

Ribonucleic acid, also called RNA, is a molecule present in all living cells. It plays a critical role in transmitting genetic instructions from DNA and creating proteins. With the power to execute a plethora of functions, ...

May 14, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / How a leaf's symmetry and lobes impact its journey back to the tree

Two physicists from the Technical University of Denmark have found that leaf shape is a determining factor in the distance leaves travel as they fall from their tree. In their paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society ...

May 14, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / A proposed new route to sharper imaging using quantum interference

A new study from the University of Portsmouth has outlined a possible way to improve how we distinguish between two closely spaced light sources, an issue that has long challenged classical imaging systems.

May 14, 2025 in Physics
Phys.org / Barbies today are much less likely to be on their tip-toes than in past decades

According to a new study, the proportion of Barbie-brand dolls with the toy's iconic tip-toe posture has dropped over time. Cylie Williams of Monash University in Frankston, Australia, and colleagues present these findings ...

May 14, 2025 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Durable catalyst boosts efficiency of high-temperature CO₂ conversion

We've all heard that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions need urgent solutions, but what if we could turn this greenhouse gas into useful chemicals or fuels? Electrochemical CO2 conversion—the process of transforming carbon ...

May 14, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Artificial intelligence and genetics can help farmers grow corn with less fertilizer

New York University scientists are using artificial intelligence to determine which genes collectively govern nitrogen use efficiency in plants such as corn, with the goal of helping farmers improve their crop yields and ...

May 14, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Uncovering compounds that tame the heat of chili peppers: Study challenges reliability of Scoville scale

When biting into a chili pepper, you expect a fiery sensation on your tongue. This spiciness is detected because of capsaicinoid compounds. But for some peppers, despite high levels of capsaicinoids, the heat is mysteriously ...

May 14, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Advanced imaging technique maps chemical makeup of individual cells in tissues

Tissues consist of a heterogeneous mixture of different cell types, complicating our understanding of their biological functions and studies of disease.

May 14, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Reexamining a receptor linked to sepsis resolves contradictions regarding its binding interactions

After earning notoriety as the first cellular receptor isolated and mammalian lectin identified, the Ashwell-Morell receptor's functions in our bodies eluded scientists for more than 30 years.

May 14, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / MXene-antibody sensor enables low-cost, accurate vitamin D detection in remote regions

An electrochemical sensor designed to address a global health issue that particularly impacts people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been created by a multidisciplinary team at KAUST. The sensor detects low ...

May 14, 2025 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / An ink that boosts coral settlement by 20 times could help rebuild reefs worldwide

With coral reefs in crisis due to climate change, scientists have engineered a bio-ink that could help promote coral larvae settlement and restore these underwater ecosystems before it's too late. In a paper published in ...

May 14, 2025 in Biology