Phys.org news

Phys.org / Female Galápagos seabirds have flings—and males seem OK with it

Perched on a plastic chair overlooking a colony of Nazca boobies in the Galápagos Islands, researcher David Anderson carefully studied the seabirds.

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Triturus newts reveal a genetic balancing act

An evolutionary "trap" has haunted crested and marbled newts for 25 million years: Leiden researchers have uncovered a mysterious DNA error that should not be able to arise—yet persists all the same. How is that possible? ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Mosquito vectors of malaria rapidly develop resistance against new generation insecticides, study finds

More than half a million people, the vast majority being children under the age of 5, die annually due to malaria, with Sub-Saharan Africa as the most highly burdened region. Mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles carry ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Platelet-inspired nanoparticles can boost brain-computer interface electrode performance

Scientists working to enhance brain-computer interface (BCI) technology—which allows people to control devices with their thoughts—have found they can improve the performance of electrodes implanted in the brain by targeted ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Trust in science is low among minorities for a reason, research finds

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a nationwide conversation in the U.S. about how much people trust scientists and trained medical professionals. But for some communities, distrust has been the norm.

Dec 9, 2025 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Microneedle system delivers biofertilizer directly into plants, boosting growth with less waste

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed dissolving microneedle patches that deliver living "biofertilizer" straight into plant tissue. In greenhouse tests, Choy Sum and Kale grew faster—by ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Chaotic 3D currents form multiple microplastic 'attractors' beneath the ocean surface, study finds

The ocean is saturated with microplastics. While we know the location of the great garbage patches, where plastic particles may accumulate below the ocean surface remains unknown. The vastness of the ocean means particle ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / The twisted nanotubes that tell a story: Geometry-based approach can transmit magnon-based data

In collaboration with scientists in Germany, EPFL researchers have demonstrated that the spiral geometry of tiny, twisted magnetic tubes can be leveraged to transmit data based on quasiparticles called magnons, rather than ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Oyster larvae and addictive drugs: Study finds exposure affects behavior and survival rates

The discharge and prevalence of psychoactive drugs in surface waters has raised concerns about potential risks to ecosystems and public health. Yet there is limited information on the ecotoxicity of these compounds in marine ...

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Health monitoring patch offers gentle way to conserve frog populations

La Trobe University academics have developed a noninvasive way to monitor hormones in frogs in an important step toward protecting the vulnerable animals from extinction.

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Elusive species face the greatest threat from human land use, global analysis finds

A study by University of Liverpool researchers reveals that the species hardest to detect—those rarely seen, recorded, or included in scientific monitoring—are also the most vulnerable to human-driven habitat change.

Dec 9, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / 2025 on track to tie second hottest year on record: EU monitor

The planet is on track to log its second hottest year on record in 2025, tied with 2023 after a historic high in 2024, Europe's global warming monitor said Tuesday.

Dec 9, 2025 in Earth