Phys.org news

Phys.org / Mongooses prepare for likely future battles with powerful enemies, study finds

Dwarf mongooses anticipate encounters with rival groups and adjust how they move, communicate and defend resources beforehand, according to new research from the University of Bristol. The study, published in Nature Ecology ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / Artificial cells gain porous membranes, enabling lab reactions and drug release

Artificial cells created in the laboratory offer a wide range of potential applications. Until now, however, their membranes—unlike those of real cells—have been virtually impermeable. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / A heat sensor for living cells could offer new views of cell metabolism, rapid antibiotic testing

When living cells grow, divide or respond to drugs, they give off tiny amounts of heat that offer information about what the cells are doing. But because these heat signals are so vanishingly small, they have traditionally ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / Chemists uncover new metal carbene radical cross-coupling by merging two catalytic cycles

In an effort to open the door to new and useful products, chemistry researchers are on the continual lookout for processes that unlock important molecules and the bonds that can put them together. Such is the case for UC ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / 50-megapixel Earth models capture storms in unprecedented detail—but four consistent blind spots remain

Traditional global climate models were like early digital cameras—they had only about 10,000 pixels to cover the entire planet. At that low resolution, big storm systems looked like blurry blobs. You couldn't see their true ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / Darkness unlocks more ordered nanotubes in light-responsive molecular assemblies, study suggests

Life on Earth has evolved under an uninterrupted rhythm of day and night. While light provides the energy that powers countless molecular processes, periods of darkness often allow biological systems to reorganize, recover ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / Digital twin predicts Alaska permafrost changes using real-time sensors and AI

Communities around the world have adapted to live on the year-round frozen soil of frigid environments, such as in the Arctic. However, rising temperatures have introduced a new challenge: What happens when the ground under ...

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / Global map reveals one-third of coral reefs may resist climate shocks

In the crystalline waters off Kenya's coast, coral reefs are thriving—evidence of a rare good-news story in the battle to protect oceans from the ravages of climate change.

Jun 16, 2026
Phys.org / Think you'd never eat bugs? Research says you might—and you may even like it

People who are hesitant to try insect-based foods may enjoy the experience more than they expect—and can become more open to expanding their diets in the future, according to research published by the American Psychological ...

Jun 15, 2026
Phys.org / Northern permafrost switches from carbon sink to carbon source earlier than thought in models including deep soil carbon

The Arctic and northern high latitudes are warming about 2–4 times faster than the global average, allowing ancient permafrost to thaw and release stored carbon. These permafrost soils currently store roughly one-third of ...

Jun 15, 2026
Phys.org / Passive quantum error correction doubles qubit lifetime, reaching break-even point

A team of U.S. researchers has designed a passive quantum error correction technique that enables qubits to correct their own errors. Demonstrated by Shruti Shirol and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, ...

Jun 15, 2026
Phys.org / Medieval Moroccan bathhouse steps reveal rare game board

Archaeologists have discovered a game board carved into the steps of a medieval bathhouse in the Moroccan town of Walīla (the Roman city of Volubilis). The find is a rare example of a medieval game board that can be securely ...

Jun 15, 2026