Phys.org news

Phys.org / Capsule technology opens new window into individual cells

Researchers have developed a capsule-based method that makes it possible to analyze the same cell through multiple experimental steps. The technology overcomes a long-standing limitation in cell research and could open new ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Diatom-based microrobots show promise for targeted photodynamic therapy of glioblastoma

Researchers in China have developed magnetically controlled microrobots made from diatoms for the treatment of glioblastoma using photodynamic therapy. These microrobots exhibit excellent magnetic responsiveness and programmable ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / How much do nontargeted analyses really see? A model maps chemical blind spots

In a study published in Analytical Chemistry, researchers from the University of Amsterdam's Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) reveal a sobering reality regarding nontargeted chemical analysis. Although ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Gut microbes: The secret to squirrel hibernation

When winter sets in and food becomes scarce, some mammals hibernate, entering a state of deep rest that slashes their energy needs and allows them to fast for months. However, fasting deprives them of essential nutrients, ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / What keeps centrioles together: NuSAP's newly mapped role in centrosome integrity

Biologists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have uncovered how the protein NuSAP safeguards tiny structures inside cells called centrioles, revealing a mechanism linked to developmental disorders such as microcephaly ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / The power of twins: Decoding the unseen biological information flow

The natural world is a rich source of inspiration for developing sophisticated computational systems, and the opposite is also true, with bioinformatics approaches providing keen insight into biological processes. However, ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / A common hydrogel may be built differently than assumed, with big implications for mechanics

A study led by Northwestern University researchers has reported a way to observe hydrogel nano and microstructure while the hydrogel remains fully solvated. The approach reveals that methylcellulose, one of the most widely ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Embryogenesis in 4D: A developmental atlas for genes and cells

How does a tiny cluster of cells become an embryo with a head, trunk, and tail? And how do thousands of genes coordinate this development? A new imaging method makes it possible to visualize the activity of thousands of genes ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Global sorghum 'pangenome' accelerates discovery of resilient crop traits

A team of international scientists, including researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, reports a major advance in sorghum genomics: a powerful new resource designed to speed discovery of traits that help crops ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Wetlands in Brazil's Cerrado are carbon-storage powerhouses

The Amazon rainforest is famous for storing massive amounts of carbon in its trees and soils, helping regulate the global climate. Yet a paper published in New Phytologist shows that one of South America's largest carbon-storing ...

Mar 12, 2026
Phys.org / Despite their contrasting reputations, bonobos and chimpanzees show similar levels of aggression in zoos

Chimpanzees have a reputation for being aggressive, while bonobos are often seen as their peaceful counterparts. This contrast has frequently been used to explain different sides of human nature. However, a new study by Utrecht ...

Mar 11, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient Filipino skeleton reveals a rare hip condition further complicated by scurvy

The growing paleopathological literature shows that scurvy was not a rare problem among people living in the ancient Asia-Pacific tropics. Scurvy is increasingly identified throughout the region, primarily in children but ...

Mar 11, 2026