Phys.org news

Phys.org / Q&A: Scientists decode the logic behind cells' mysterious protein stockpiles

As far as research subjects go, it's not always easy to find common ground with a single-celled bacterium. Yet the more Paul Wiggins studies his model bacteria, Acinetobacter baylyi, the more he sees surprising commonalities ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Seeing is believing: Smart probes reveal proteins inside living cells with unprecedented clarity

Fluorescent probes have transformed modern biology by allowing researchers to tag and visualize individual molecules in living cells, tissues, and animals. Using these tools, researchers can watch viruses infect cells in ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Wildfire-driven deforestation rates in California among highest in world

California has one of the highest rates of wildfire-driven deforestation in the world, and the trend has accelerated over the past three decades, according to a study from the University of California, Davis. The study, published ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Geoengineering could protect Amazon rainforest from climate change

Geoengineering could protect the Amazon rainforest from climate change, new research shows. Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) aims to artificially cool Earth by increasing the reflection of incoming solar radiation, thereby ...

Apr 22, 2026
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