Phys.org news
Phys.org / Oddball flower challenges long-held rule about how new plant species evolve
Lipstick vines get their name from their bright red, tube-shaped flowers. But one member of this group of plants has lost its lipstick-like appearance—its flowers are shorter, wider, and yellowish green in color. It also ...
Phys.org / 'Goldilocks size' rhodium clusters advance reusable heterogeneous catalysts for hydroformylation
Recent research has demonstrated that a rhodium (Rh) cluster of an optimal, intermediate size—neither too small nor too large—exhibits the highest catalytic activity in hydroformylation reactions. Similar to the concept ...
Phys.org / Protein 'dark energy' provides insight into form vs. function in structure
Astronomers use the term dark energy to refer to energy in the universe that is unaccounted for by ordinary matter but necessary to explain cosmology. Astronomy, however, isn't the only field with missing energy. Rice University ...
Phys.org / Finnish birdwatchers' app data fuel world's most accurate model for predicting bird occurrence
New cutting-edge research, led by Academy Professor Otso Ovaskainen of the University of Jyväskylä and David Dunson at Duke University, combines citizen bird observations with artificial intelligence and the computing power ...
Phys.org / Footprint tracker identifies tiny mammals with up to 96% accuracy
It might be less visible than dwindling lion populations or vanishing pandas, but the quiet crisis of small mammal extinction is arguably worse for biodiversity. These species are crucial indicators of environmental health, ...
Phys.org / How defects make permanent magnets even more efficient
Rare-earth magnets are essential for electric motors in vehicles, drones, and trains, forming the backbone of modern, environmentally friendly mobility. These are not simple blocks of metal, but carefully engineered materials ...
Phys.org / Study shows the hominid population of Sima de los Huesos had a varied diet
Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH) have led a study, recently published in the Journal of Human Evolution, on the diet of individuals at the Sima de los Huesos site (Sierra ...
Phys.org / Marine volcanic plateaus tied to at least 4 Triassic extinction events
Mass extinctions are extremely catastrophic events on Earth. Throughout Earth's evolutionary history, numerous mass extinctions have occurred, with five major mass extinctions being particularly representative. These extinctions ...
Phys.org / Hafted stone tools in China suggest early hominins were more inventive than thought
A newly excavated archaeological site in central China is reshaping long-held assumptions about early hominin behavior in Eastern Asia. Led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an international team of researchers conducted ...
Phys.org / Red flowers have a 'magic trait' to attract birds and keep bees away
For flowering plants, reproduction is a question of the birds and the bees. Attracting the right pollinator can be a matter of survival—and new research shows how flowers do it is more intriguing than anyone realized, and ...
Phys.org / Data-driven 3D chromosome model reveals structural and dynamic features of DNA
Chromosomes are masters of organization. These long strings of DNA fold down into an ensemble of compact structures that keep needed parts of the genome accessible while tucking away those that aren't used as often. Understanding ...
Phys.org / Streaks on Mercury show that it is not a 'dead planet'
Although Mercury was geologically active in its early days, today its surface appears almost completely static. This is why it is often perceived as a dead and dry planet. A new study led by Dr. Valentin Bickel from the Center ...
