Phys.org news
Phys.org / Bee bandits: How a yeast influences nectar-robbing behavior in bumble bees
From fundamental biological units as tiny as genes to complex societies, ecological systems rely on cooperation. All manner of organisms can benefit from working together to survive in a dog-eat-dog world. "Mutualism is a ...
Phys.org / Deep-sea microbes get unexpected energy boost from marine snow, researchers discover
For many years, the deep ocean has been seen as a nutrient-poor environment where microbes living in the water survive on very limited resources. But new research from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) challenges that ...
Phys.org / A quick stretch switches this polymer's capacity to transport heat
Most materials have an inherent capacity to handle heat. Plastic, for instance, is typically a poor thermal conductor, whereas materials like marble move heat more efficiently. If you were to place one hand on a marble countertop ...
Phys.org / 3D 'polar chiral bobbers' identified in ferroelectric thin films
A novel type of three-dimensional (3D) polar topological structure, termed the "polar chiral bobber," has been discovered in ferroelectric oxide thin films, demonstrating promising potential for high-density multistate non-volatile ...
Phys.org / DeepChopper model improves RNA sequencing research by mitigating chimera artifacts
Scientists in the laboratory of Rendong Yang, Ph.D., associate professor of Urology, have developed a new large language model that can interpret transcriptomic data in cancer cell lines more accurately than conventional ...
Phys.org / Simple at-home tests strips can detect cat and dog viruses
Pet owners want quick answers when their beloved cat or dog is sick. And if these furry friends are experiencing digestive distress, lethargy and fever, it's important to rapidly rule out serious illnesses like feline panleukopenia ...
Phys.org / How fast can a microlaser switch 'modes?' A simple rule reveals a power-law time scaling
Modern technologies increasingly rely on light sources that can be reconfigured on demand. Think of microlasers that can quickly switch between different operating states—much like a car shifting gears—so that an optical ...
Phys.org / Capturing the instant of electrical switching to pave the way for faster memory
As artificial intelligence advances, computers demand faster and more efficient memory. The key to ultra-high-speed, low-power semiconductors lies in the "switching" principle—the mechanism by which memory materials turn ...
Phys.org / Nanodevice tugs single proteins to reveal how cells sense force
Physical forces from gravity, muscle contraction, and more have strong impacts on how the cells in our bodies behave. For instance, weight-bearing exercise helps stave off osteoporosis because cells in our bones sense that ...
Phys.org / How the spring thaw influences arsenic levels in lakes
From 1948 to 1953, a gold mine called Giant Mine released about 5 tons of arsenic trioxide per day into the environment around Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Emissions declined from the 1950s until the mine closed ...
Phys.org / Topological antenna could pave the way for 6G networks
Using ideas borrowed from topological photonics, researchers in Singapore, France and the US have designed a compact antenna capable of handling information-rich terahertz (THz) signals. Reporting their results in Nature ...
Phys.org / 2023–2024 El Niño triggered record-breaking sea level spike along African coastlines, study finds
Africa's coastlines are under growing threat as sea levels climb faster than ever, driven by decades of global warming caused by human activity, natural climate cycles, and warming ocean waters. Between 2009 and 2024, the ...