Phys.org news
Phys.org / AI for molecular simulations may not need built-in physics to deliver strong results
Simulating how atoms and molecules move over time is a central challenge in computational chemistry and materials science. Classical machine learning approaches to molecular dynamics (MD) encode fundamental physical principles ...
Phys.org / Laser-plasma 'mirror' unlocks a new path to extreme light intensities
An international team of physicists has achieved a significant advance in laser science, demonstrating for the first time a practical route to dramatically boosting the intensity of high-power laser light.
Phys.org / Tiny satellites face big data limits: How foldable antennas could change CubeSat missions
An origami-inspired reflectarray antenna developed by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo enables CubeSats to achieve high antenna gain while fitting within the tight size constraints of small satellites. Weighing just ...
Phys.org / The 'resource curse': Why natural resource abundance can be a double-edged sword
Natural resources—such as fossil fuels, water, and minerals—are materials found in the environment that are essential for life and highly utilized in production. Though these resources are viewed as essential to economic ...
Phys.org / Promiscuity and parental behavior in birds are driven by demographics, not the other way around
New research shows that variation in mating behaviors, parental care and differences in ornamentation of the sexes in bird species is driven by demographics rather than vice versa. An international team of researchers from ...
Phys.org / Elusive tularemia proteins reveal possible treatment target in rare tick-borne disease
Tularemia is a rare but highly infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that can evade immune defenses. Symptoms of infection can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and—in some cases—pneumonia. What ...
Phys.org / Q&A: Scientists decode the logic behind cells' mysterious protein stockpiles
As far as research subjects go, it's not always easy to find common ground with a single-celled bacterium. Yet the more Paul Wiggins studies his model bacteria, Acinetobacter baylyi, the more he sees surprising commonalities ...
Phys.org / Monkeys in Gibraltar self-medicate with soil to help them digest tourists' junk food
Monkeys in a tourism hotspot have learned that swallowing dirt can quell the upset stomachs caused by overconsumption of sweet and salty snacks fed to them by holidaymakers, a new University of Cambridge-led study suggests. ...
Phys.org / NASA's Curiosity rover uncovers metal‑rich hotspot tied to ancient Martian lake
A team of scientists using the ChemCam instrument on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has discovered the highest amounts of iron, manganese, and zinc ever found together in Gale Crater on Mars. Minerals with these metals were ...
Phys.org / How cells turn mechanical forces into biochemical signals
Cells constantly probe their environments, searching for physical cues that guide their behavior. And yet a cell's response to its environment is always biochemical, mediated by the chemistry of its internal protein machinery. ...
Phys.org / ATLAS sets record limits on Higgs boson's self-interaction
One of the biggest open questions in particle physics today is how the Higgs boson interacts with itself. This "self-coupling" could help explain the evolution of the early universe and the mechanism that gives mass to elementary ...
Phys.org / Millions of atoms, shifting bonds—new software brings living chemistry into view
Chemical reactions drive life. They ensure that cells obtain energy, proteins perform their functions, and DNA changes under certain conditions. However, many of these processes occur on extremely small scales—so small and ...