Phys.org news

Phys.org / A wealth of genes for seed improvement uncovered in living fossils

Seed plants are essential as a source of food, fuel, medicine, and more. Now, a multidisciplinary team of researchers has combined deep botanical knowledge with powerful genomic technology to decode and mine the DNA of non-flowering ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Scientists uncover surprising link between koala and Ice Age 'marsupial lion'

A sleepy koala may seem worlds apart from a giant Ice Age predator, but scientists have uncovered the first molecular evidence linking the two.

Nov 13, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Machine learning teaches membranes to sort by chemical affinity

Ultrafiltration membranes used in pharmaceutical manufacturing and other industrial processes have long relied on separating molecules by size. Now, Cornell researchers have created porous materials that filter molecules ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Magnetic nanoparticles that successfully navigate complex blood vessels may be ready for clinical trials

Every year, 12 million people worldwide suffer a stroke; many die or are permanently impaired. Currently, drugs are administered to dissolve the thrombus that blocks the blood vessel. These drugs spread throughout the entire ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Baker's yeast carrier makes bee propolis a more potent medicine, study finds

A team of researchers from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague has developed a novel method to enhance the natural healing properties of bee propolis, a potent remedy known for its antibacterial, antioxidant, ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Wild birds are driving the current US bird flu outbreak

Since late 2021, a panzootic, or "a pandemic in animals," of highly pathogenic bird flu variant H5N1 has devastated wild birds, agriculture, and mammals. Unlike previous outbreaks, aggressive culling of domestic birds has ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Tracing mountain water to its hidden sources

In mountain regions like the Rockies, headwater streams make up more than 70% of the river network and support the downstream waterways and communities. These headwaters are also home to many forms of aquatic life. While ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / Largest RNA language model to date offers new way to predict behavior and boost drug discovery

RNA plays a vital role in how our genes are expressed and how diseases develop. Yet, because RNA molecules constantly change shape, understanding how they work has long been a major scientific challenge.

Nov 13, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Coastal ocean acidification advancing faster than expected, threatening local economies

New research from the University of St Andrews has found that some coastal areas will become much more acidic than previously anticipated. With added atmospheric CO2, these areas are acidifying more quickly than thought, ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / Ancient Intermountain West was once a vast sea sponge habitat

While they didn't live in a pineapple under the Phosphoria Sea, it turns out a good chunk of the prehistoric Intermountain West was once blanketed in sea sponges.

Nov 13, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Invisible groundwater threatens aging urban infrastructure, researchers warn

Groundwater rise as a result of climate change poses a significant threat to coastal cities, says University of Rhode Island assistant professor of geosciences Christopher Russoniello. Russoniello and colleagues recently ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / Putting less meat and more legumes in school menus reduces environmental impact by up to 50%

The transition to healthy diets with a low environmental impact is crucial to achieving sustainable food systems and reducing health problems. In this context, dietary guidelines for schools can encourage eating behaviors ...

Nov 13, 2025 in Earth