Phys.org news

Phys.org / Measuring how stressed rocks 'sigh' before breaking could help predict geohazards

Too much stress can make even a rock crack. But before rocks reach their breaking point, they "sigh" a chemical warning by releasing nuclides, a type of atom defined by the number of neutrons as well as protons in the nucleus. ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Comparable vitamin B6 levels found between nonalcoholic and conventional beers

Beer is one of the oldest and most consumed beverages on Earth, typically associated with social and celebratory settings. But researchers are curious about what vitamins and minerals are present in the beverage. A study ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / How a faster protein-screening tool could strengthen US rare-earth supply chains

To ensure a robust domestic supply chain in the U.S., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists are using bacterial proteins to separate the rare-earth elements that are ubiquitous in magnets, batteries, and ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Turning four into two: How duplicated genomes become diploid again

Genome duplication probably gave biodiversity a decisive evolutionary boost. A Chinese-German research team led by Axel Meyer from the University of Konstanz has now investigated the early phases of the process known as rediploidization. ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Cheaper sequencing, bigger payoff: New software could bring advanced metagenomics to more labs

Metagenomics relies on the use of software programs called assemblers, which can reconstruct tens of thousands of individual microbial genomes from DNA sequencing of samples such as soil, bodily fluids, or clinical swabs ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Cosmetics from waste? Microbial discovery unlocks greener route to high-value chemical products

Researchers at University of Toronto's Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry have made a key discovery about how certain bacterial strains produce a set of economically valuable chemicals—opening the door ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Wild apple genes still shape modern fruit, and that could matter for climate-ready crops

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with international partners, have uncovered new insights into how apples became the fruits we know today, showing that their evolution has been shaped by continuous exchange ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Discovery of new polymer class provides compostable alternative to conventional thermoplastics

Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have discovered a new class of polymers as part of the work carried out within the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1357 Microplastics. These polymers are characterized by biodegradable ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / DNA's physical form helps direct gyrase activity and could reshape antibiotic design

New analytical methods developed at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions have increased our understanding of how bacteria manage DNA. The methods have enabled researchers to uncover how the sequence, ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Discovering a favorite pit stop and communication hub for cloud forest canopy dwellers

In his time spent in the lush canopies of Costa Rica's cloud forest, UConn Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. student Jeremy Quirós-Navarro has worked as an arborist, helped place camera traps, collected ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Chalk-stream salmon could become an official sub-species

Chalk-stream salmon should be officially classified as a sub-species, new research suggests. Scientists from the University of Exeter and INRAe (France) carried out detailed genetic testing of salmon from 42 rivers in England, ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Bursting the barrier: Catalysts unlock hydrogen from magnesium hydride

A new study sheds light on how hydrogen can be stored and released more effectively using magnesium hydride (MgH₂), offering fresh direction for clean energy technologies.

Apr 22, 2026