Phys.org news
Phys.org / Soft tissue of a plesiosaur reveals it had scales similar to those of sea turtles
A small team of archaeologists, geologists, paleontologists and climate scientists has found that at least one type of plesiosaur had scales on its flippers similar to modern sea turtle species. For their study, published ...
Phys.org / Some species of baleen whales may avoid attracting killer whales by singing too low to be heard
Killer whales are the only natural predator of baleen whales—those that have "baleen" in their mouths to sieve their plankton diet from the water. More solitary than toothed whales, baleen whales face predatory attacks ...
Phys.org / Nerve cells optimize energy by controlling mRNA and protein distribution, study finds
Nerve cells have amazing strategies to save energy and still perform the most important of their tasks. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn as well as the University Medical Center ...
Phys.org / The spliceosome: An atomic-level look into how cells avoid errors when manufacturing mRNA
A complex molecular machine, the spliceosome, ensures that the genetic information from the genome, after being transcribed into mRNA precursors, is correctly assembled into mature mRNA. Splicing is a basic requirement for ...
Phys.org / Total synthesis of ibogaine creates new opportunities for studying a psychoactive plant derivative
Ibogaine—a psychoactive plant derivative—has attracted attention for its anti-addictive and anti-depressant properties. But ibogaine is a finite resource, extracted from plants native to Africa like the iboga shrub (Tabernanthe ...
Phys.org / International collaboration sheds new light on the relationship between quantum theory and thermodynamics
Researchers from Nagoya University in Japan and the Slovak Academy of Sciences have unveiled new insights into the interplay between quantum theory and thermodynamics. The team demonstrated that while quantum theory does ...
Phys.org / Evidence of cannibalism by ancient Magdalenian people found in cave in Poland
A team of archaeologists, paleontologists, and historians from several institutions in Spain, Germany, and Poland, has found evidence of Magdalenian people from approximately 18,000 years ago, living in a cave in what is ...
Phys.org / Computational tool maps cell differentiation with precision and efficiency
Understanding how cells transform into specialized types during human development is a central challenge in biology. This complex process, known as cell differentiation, holds the key to understanding developmental biology ...
Phys.org / Scientists elucidate molecular mechanisms behind dinoflagellate cyst dormancy
Dinoflagellates play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems, particularly as major contributors to harmful algal blooms. They can enter a dormant stage, known as the resting cyst stage, that allows them to survive for extended ...
Phys.org / Scratching through negative emotions: Exploring the mind-body connection in Japanese macaques
Research has shown that human bodily responses and cognitive shifts affect each other in both directions. We feel sorry because we cry, but also cry when feeling sorry. So, what then for our primate cousins? To date, their ...
Phys.org / Dutch space instrument SPEXone produces world map of aerosols
On February 8, 2024, NASA launched its PACE climate satellite with the Dutch aerosol instrument SPEXone onboard. A full year of observations now yields a world map of aerosols.
Phys.org / Optimized nickel particles improve catalyst performance for hydrogenation reactions
A research team led by Wang Guozhong from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a novel method to precisely control the size of nickel (Ni) particles in catalysts, improving ...