Phys.org news

Phys.org / Color test 'sniffs out' dangerous staph strains fast

Researchers have developed a rapid color-changing test that can distinguish between different strains of golden staph, including those likely to be virulent and antibiotic resistant. Golden staph is a major human pathogen ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / Copper's 'gatekeeper' could unlock cleaner energy future

A common mineral hiding in plain sight could hold the key to making copper production cleaner, faster and more efficient, just as global demand for the metal surges to power the energy transition. In an article published ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / Hawai'i's songbirds are raiding neighbors' nests, and the losses could deepen a growing survival crisis

High in the forests of Hawai'i, songbirds are stealing twigs and moss from one another's nests. UC Riverside researchers found this quiet canopy crime is surprisingly common and could threaten species already struggling to ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / Self-propulsion or slow diffusion: How bacteria, cells, and colloids respond to stimuli

What physical processes govern the movement of microscopic structures capable of interacting with their environment? The answer lies in two mechanisms: self-propulsion, to escape unfavorable locations; and slow diffusion, ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / How a hidden receptor switch could open new paths for cancer and neurological treatments

A research team at Leipzig University has identified a mechanism in adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (adhesion GPCRs), a specific group of membrane receptors. This mechanism is essential for the activity of many of these ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / Rapid melatonin test can help astronauts and others easily monitor their biological rhythm

A simple test developed at Washington State University could eventually allow astronauts and others in round-the-clock occupations to monitor their biological rhythms in just minutes using a drop of blood, a paper test strip, ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / Referee decisions in soccer frequently overturned following VAR-assisted review: No external influences found

In an analysis of a video-assisted, pitch-side review of soccer (UK football) referee calls in the English Premier League, referees overturned their original call 95% of the time. However, these decisions had no statistical ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / Ocean eddies are amplifying climate extremes in coastal seas, study finds

New research reveals a powerful yet overlooked driver of climate change: intensifying ocean eddies. These swirling currents—that break off from major currents—are redistributing heat and nutrients in the ocean and amplifying ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / CO₂ emissions from cultivated peat soils may be lower than assumed

Organic soils cover less than 9% of Norway's land area, and about 65,000 hectares are currently used as agricultural land. Emissions from these areas are presently estimated at more than 2 million tons of CO₂ equivalents ...

Apr 15, 2026
Dialog / Not so dark with Alena Tensor: Math framework could explain dark matter without invisible particles

Alena Tensor is a relatively new mathematical approach that allows for arbitrary curving and straightening of analyzed spacetimes. As it turns out, generalizing this model to all known fields and fully describing matter, ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / This nasal spray rewinds the aging brain, restoring memory and reversing inflammation in preclinical models

Picture this: your brain is a high-performance engine. Over decades, it doesn't just wear down, it also starts to run hot. Tiny "fires" of inflammation smolder deep within the brain's memory center, creating a persistent ...

Apr 14, 2026
Phys.org / Torsion balances set strongest direct limits yet on ultralight dark matter

Dark matter is believed to make up a large fraction of the matter in the universe, yet its true nature remains unknown. Most past experiments have focused on heavier dark matter candidates, while much lighter dark matter, ...

Apr 14, 2026