Phys.org news

Phys.org / Electron and photon beams drive same gold-forming reaction toward different nanoscale structures

Beauty and mystery—it is hard to imagine a more alluring combination, and this is precisely what we encounter when we observe phenomena in the nanoworld. But are we really sure that observations made using modern microscopic ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Vapor-phase synthesis of MXenes could expand their technological applications

MXenes are two-dimensional nanomaterials first synthesized at Drexel University in 2011. They have been recognized by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry as an emerging technology with "true potential to ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Activated learning-and-memory protein forms growing molecular chains, imaging reveals

Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) at Kanazawa University, Kyoto University, SOKENDAI and the National Institute for Physiological Sciences have revealed how CaMKIIα—a key brain protein involved ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Earth's atmosphere is getting less dusty: That could be adding to global warming

Atmospheric desert dust has long swirled around the globe, but a new UCLA study presents the strongest evidence yet that global dust is mysteriously decreasing. Because atmospheric dust has a slight overall cooling effect ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / What ancient Mars rocks reveal about its buried carbonate stores

Carbonate minerals are among the best records of past liquid water on Mars: They form when water carrying dissolved carbon dioxide reacts with rock, and their composition reflects the chemistry of both. Yet Mars has surprisingly ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Amazonian study identifies most effective ways of conserving biodiversity and carbon

As the 2026 El Niño intensifies across the Amazon, new research highlights the urgent need to better protect the region's remaining forests from disturbances.

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Robotic lab sets up and runs optics experiments on demand

Every new generation of phone display, television screen and solar panel is the result of precision optics experiments, which use lasers and other light sources to measure the optical properties of candidate materials. These ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Microfluidic device simulates human tissue and offers an alternative to animal testing

Researchers at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) have developed microfluidic technology that can grow cells in three dimensions (3D). The goal is to conduct toxicity tests on new products by ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Decoding the DNA switches behind gene regulation

Understanding gene regulation may be key to interpreting human disease genetics. Genes are regulated in part by stretches of DNA called enhancers, which define when, where and how strongly each gene is turned on. Mapping ...

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Moles' wide-armed posture reshapes how their shoulder bones carry loads

While the scapula is the primary bone supporting the body in terrestrial quadrupedal mammals, an analysis of internal bone structure in underground moles (family Talpidae) showed a more important role for the clavicle.

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Why global wind energy may stay steady even as storm tracks shift poleward

Understanding how wind changes in response to global warming is necessary for accurately modeling climate and weather, identifying risks to infrastructure, and assessing global wind power capacity.

Sep 17, 2026
Phys.org / Genome assembly of rice stink bug offers new data-informed tool in fight against costly pest

Scientists are getting a leg up on the rice stink bug, one of the most significant threats to rice, a staple food for nearly half the world's population and a major crop in Arkansas.

Sep 17, 2026