Phys.org news
Phys.org / Tiny flexible lasers enable force sensing inside living cells
Researchers have developed tiny flexible lasers that can be used to measure forces inside living cells. The new lasers could help illuminate various biological processes, including those involved in early development and ...
Phys.org / Carbon credits have enabled vital protection of tropical forests—despite being oversold 10-fold
A major analysis led by the University of Cambridge has found that many REDD+ projects achieved meaningful reductions in forest loss—offering real environmental benefits. This is despite the study confirming that almost 11 ...
Phys.org / AI discovery reveals DNA isn't locked away in cells after all
Every cell in the human body squeezes over six feet of DNA into a minuscule speck invisible to the naked eye—like compressing a whole house into a single sugar cube. In order to fit in a cell and remain organized, DNA is ...
Phys.org / How rocks trap CO₂ faster: Water-driven pathway could speed long-term carbon storage
Rocks can bind carbon dioxide—and much faster than previously thought. For a long time, it was assumed that the transformation of CO2 into carbonate rock depends on very slow, time-consuming processes. According to that view, ...
Phys.org / Online game uncovers why tiger stripes work best in sunshine and tall grass
Scientists have used an online game to discover the secrets of animal camouflage—such as why tigers have stripes. The study, by the universities of Exeter and Bristol, reveals that high-contrast markings like tiger stripes ...
Phys.org / Nanofiltration for cleaner water is stopping one of farming's most persistent chemicals from slipping through
Water is fundamental to all life—contaminants are harmful to humans and the environment. Herbicides used in agriculture to control weeds present a particular challenge here. The most widely used herbicide in the world is ...
Phys.org / Neolithic fur production: A 7,000-year-old pit with beaver remains discovered near Alsleben
In advance of the construction of the SuedOstLink high-voltage direct current transmission line, archaeological investigations were carried out in the Salzland district by the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology ...
Phys.org / After Rome: Genomic insights from southern Germany reveal the formation of Central European societies
Many of today's villages and towns in Central Europe trace their origins to settlements that emerged after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, often on former Roman territory or in the immediate vicinity of the Limes, ...
Phys.org / Atomic-column imaging uncovers hidden magnetic structures in antiferromagnets
Antiferromagnetic materials, with antiparallel atomic spins and zero net magnetization, are fast and resistant to external magnetic interference, making them ideal for high-speed, high-density spintronic devices. However, ...
Phys.org / No brain required: This is how the single-celled Stentor learns
Scientists have known for more than a century that a single-celled organism with no nerve cells—much less a brain—can behave in ways that resemble learning. But those observations only went so far. How the organism did that ...
Phys.org / Beer waste may become sunscreen ingredient after spent hops show promising UV protection
Research conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil revealed that hops (Humulus lupulus L.) industrial waste from the brewing industry is a viable option for sunscreen formulation production. The multidisciplinary ...
Phys.org / How cells decide when to react could shape future treatments for cancer and fibrosis
Scientists have discovered how cells decide when to respond to physical forces, potentially opening new avenues for tackling diseases such as cancer and fibrosis.
