Phys.org news
Phys.org / Trust and patience link to higher happiness across 76 countries
A study covering 76 countries has found that people who are more trusting, patient, altruistic and cooperative tend to report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction, suggesting that well-being depends on more than ...
Phys.org / Women's faces outrank men's in attractiveness across cultures, global study shows
Why are women considered the "fairer sex" in humans, when in most animal species it is males that display the more elaborate and visually striking traits? This question has intrigued researchers since Darwin. A new large-scale ...
Phys.org / An invisible battle between bacteria determines the flavor and safety of salami
Fermentation is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. Long before refrigerators existed, people relied on microorganisms to keep food—including meat—safe to eat. Ph.D. research by VUB researcher Ana Sosa Fajardo (VUB ...
Phys.org / How developing immune cells fine-tune their signals
Researchers at VIB, Ghent University, and VUB have uncovered how two proteins essential for immune cell development work together at the molecular level. The findings provide important insights into a critical mechanism that ...
Phys.org / NASA lays out moon base plans with landers, buggies and drones at the top of the list
NASA is already ordering landers, rovers and drones for a sprawling moon base, less than two months after the Artemis II's record-breaking lunar flyaround.
Phys.org / New biosynthesis platform could enable bioactive compounds to be labeled, targeted and released on demand
Many medically important drugs originate from natural sources. Microorganisms produce these compounds using highly sophisticated and remarkably precise enzymatic assembly lines. Many natural microbial products belong to a ...
Phys.org / Revised mushroom toxin pathway could improve poisoning detection
The St. George's mushroom (Calocybe gambosa) is a popular edible mushroom, usually picked in May. Unfortunately, however, it also carries a risk as it can easily be confused with the young deadly fiber cap, which can potentially ...
Phys.org / Researchers link specific microbiomes to archaeological bone degradation
Well-preserved archaeological bone samples have different microbial communities than heavily degraded bone samples, providing a new understanding of how microbes contribute to bone degradation, according to a study published ...
Phys.org / Fire salamanders reveal hidden turquoise glow when exposed to UV radiation
An international research team has discovered that the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is biofluorescent. A study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science shows that the salamander reflects turquoise light ...
Phys.org / Scientists reveal how dividing cells precisely trigger spindle formation
During animal cell division, a highly synchronized and tightly regulated dance of chromosomes takes place, ensuring the chromosomes split correctly into the two cells. Spindle fibers—complex machinery responsible for choreographing ...
Phys.org / Fish have no necks, yet this ancient balancing trick keeps their heads startlingly steady in motion
Postural control is a fundamental behavior for most animals, and head stability in particular plays a crucial role in achieving stable sensory input, accurate spatial perception, and efficient motor output. Tetrapods, including ...
Phys.org / Dying cells don't all release key inflammatory cytokine in the same way, research reveals
Researchers at Toho University have uncovered a previously unrecognized mechanism controlling how dying cells release the inflammatory cytokine IL-33, a key driver of allergy, asthma, tissue inflammation, and cancer progression. ...
