Phys.org news

Phys.org / High-throughput platform enables aptamer discovery and kinetic profiling

Cell-surface proteins are critical therapeutic targets and are vital to cellular communication, signaling, and homeostasis. However, developing high-affinity probes such as aptamers against these targets is hindered by low ...

Jan 5, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Hotter weather thickens the blood of wild mammals: We traced this in African striped mice

Large wild mammals—from elephants to antelopes—are already struggling to cope with global warming. Now new research shows that even the small creatures adapted to harsh, arid landscapes may be reaching their limits.

Jan 5, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Fungus 'rewires' maize plants, causing tumor-like growths by hijacking root formation process

When a maize plant is attacked by the fungus Ustilago maydis, tumor-like tissue growths occur at the site of infection. How the pathogen causes this response in its host has long been unknown. But a University of Bonn study ...

Jan 5, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Electron beams guide atomic-scale structural transformations in crystals

A joint research team from the Institute of Metal Research (IMR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory has achieved precise control and real-time observation of atomic-scale structural ...

Jan 5, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Warmer world weakens butterfly defenses against parasite infections—which have tripled since 2002

Higher temperatures may make monarch butterflies more vulnerable to parasites, according to new research from the University of Georgia. The work is published in the journal Ecological Entomology.

Jan 5, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Even after wildfires are extinguished, smoke damage may continue to pose risks to residents

A new study of the impact of the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires has found that even after fires are extinguished, residents who return to their homes may remain at risk of exposure to known carcinogens because of smoke ...

Jan 5, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / 'Atmospheric inversion' may help predict when a humid heat wave will break

A long stretch of humid heat followed by intense thunderstorms is a weather pattern historically seen mostly in and around the tropics. But climate change is making humid heat waves and extreme storms more common in traditionally ...

Jan 5, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Salmonella rewires mitochondrial metabolite pipeline to disarm oxidative defenses

A National Taiwan University study reveals how intracellular bacteria co-opt mitochondrial transporters to evade immune defenses, suggesting that blocking this pathway could sensitize drug-resistant pathogens to host immunity.

Jan 5, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Coral reef fish recovery could boost sustainable seafood servings by up to 50 percent

With a human population of 8.3 billion people worldwide and millions facing malnutrition, food security is something to think about. But imagine if the ocean could help with that.

Jan 4, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Filamentous algae blooms alter river ecosystems without disrupting overall function

Algae is a ubiquitous feature in waterways throughout the globe, including western North America. Slippery, green epilithic algae is a familiar sight on river rocks. Toxic blue-green algae—cyanobacteria—is a visually ...

Jan 4, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / A better way to detect off-target genome changes from base editors

Scientists and physicians can better assess precision genome editing technology using a new method made public today by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Significant amounts of time and resources spent improving CRISPR ...

Jan 3, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Astronomers measure both mass and distance of a rogue planet for the first time

While most planets that we are familiar with stick relatively close to their host star in a predictable orbit, some planets seem to have been knocked out of their orbits, floating through space free of any particular gravitational ...

Jan 2, 2026 in Astronomy & Space