Phys.org news
Phys.org / How one species of bat uses its tail to navigate backwards in caves
A new study from Tel Aviv University reveals that the greater mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma microphyllum) uses its long tail as a natural tactile sensor to navigate backward in dark caves. The researchers discovered that the ...
Phys.org / Computational tool CHOIR can detect 'off-key' cells that promote disease
Cells throughout the body work together like singers in a choir to keep us healthy, as long as they work in perfect harmony. If any cells are off key, that harmony can be disrupted, with far-reaching effects across the body. ...
Phys.org / Gila monsters may struggle to survive as planet grows warmer, study suggests
A team of ecologists, climatologists and evolutionary specialists affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found that Gila monsters may find it difficult to survive in the face of climate change. In their study ...
Phys.org / Reptiles in open habitats display brighter colors, study finds
Reptiles living in open habitats generally have brighter coloration than species living in denser vegetation. This is shown in a new study from Lund University in Sweden. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests ...
Phys.org / Locating microplastic hotspots along the Texas coast
There are trillions of microplastic particles, ranging in size from about one micrometer to a few millimeters, on Earth. Many of these particles end up in the oceans, where they disrupt nutrient cycles, are ingested by marine ...
Phys.org / Scientists link a phytoplankton bloom to starving dolphins in Florida
In 2013, 8% of the bottlenose dolphins living in Florida's Indian River Lagoon died. Investigations have now revealed that the dolphins may have starved because key habitats for nutritious prey were destroyed by a phytoplankton ...
Phys.org / Unexpected asymmetry in lipid bilayer challenges understanding of mammalian cell membranes
Lipid bilayers in mammalian membranes can have a more asymmetric composition than previously thought, new research shows. This lipid abundance asymmetry is enabled by the unique properties of cholesterol and endows biomembranes ...
Phys.org / Codex of Türi: Study traces origins of Estonia's oldest dated manuscript covers
A recent study by Dr. Alar Läänelaid and his colleagues has provided new insights into the creation of the oldest dated manuscript in Estonia. The study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage set out to determine ...
Phys.org / Consecutive El Niños are happening more often and the result is more devastating, research suggests
El Niño, a climate troublemaker, has long been one of the largest drivers of variability in the global climate. Every few years, the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean seesaws between warm (El Niño) and cold (La Niña) phases. ...
Phys.org / Saturday Citations: Leaky continental plates, talking monkeys and a spectacular Einstein ring
This week, researchers reported on nine rivers and lakes in the Americas that defy hydrologic expectations. Geologists report that Earth's first crust probably had chemical features similar to today's continental crust. And ...
Phys.org / Young plants' vulnerability linked to growth-energy trade-off
From toddlers in daycare to seedlings in forests, young organisms tend to get sick more easily than adults—a phenomenon that has long puzzled parents and scientists alike.
Phys.org / Artificial sweetener shows surprising power to overcome antibiotic resistance
Saccharin, the artificial sweetener used in diet foods like yogurts and sugar-free drinks, can kill multidrug-resistant bacteria—including one of the world's most dangerous pathogens.