Phys.org news
Phys.org / Compost microbe yields enzyme that tackles polyurethane foam and nylon
Researchers from Aarhus University and the Danish Technological Institute have taken a new approach in the search for enzymes capable of breaking down some of the most difficult types of plastic to recycle. They collected ...
Phys.org / Emerging SARS-CoV-2 sublineage RE.2.2 displays distinct structural features
Researchers from the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS) have characterized the structural and functional properties of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 sublineage BA.3.2.2 by studying RE.2.2, the ...
Phys.org / 10,000 years of wheat and barley selection reveal shared climate-adaptation genes
Research teams from INRAE, the University of Clermont Auvergne and the CNRS have reconstructed 10 ancient genomes (paleogenomes) that are the common ancestors of 84 botanical species of agronomic interest. Their work makes ...
Phys.org / New measure captures how scientists' identities shift across academic disciplines
Does the academic discipline of a scientist's doctorate accurately capture their disciplinary affiliation decades later? Consider a scientist who earned a doctorate in physics 25 years ago who now studies climate change, ...
Phys.org / Bite, buzz, release: How bees make flowers give up their pollen
Life is not always easy for a bee: Not all plants place their pollen outside. Some flowers have to be set to vibrating before the pollen can get out of their tube-like stamens. Certain bee species have developed a special ...
Phys.org / Unusual bonds reorganize structure and magnetism in vanadium material
While chemical bonds usually determine the structure and properties of a material, bonds between neighboring metal atoms can also change as temperature or other conditions change. These changes can lead to unusual electronic ...
Phys.org / Shapeshifting plant roots rely on a balance of anatomy, metabolism, and microbes to maximize survival
Scientists have identified the mechanisms that allow plants to change their root anatomy to maximize survival when nutrients are scarce. The findings could pave the way for developing new ways to improve beneficial plant-microbe ...
Phys.org / Fertilizers and extreme heat are damaging coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, isotope analyses reveal
Who isn't familiar with the colorful coral reefs from movies like "Finding Nemo" or "The Little Mermaid"? Unfortunately, the reality is often quite different, as these vital ecosystems are under pressure worldwide. Climate ...
Phys.org / Healthy checkout policy shows promise for reducing soda sales and increasing healthy snack purchases
In March 2021, Berkeley, Calif., became the first city in the world to ban the display of sugary beverages and snacks in store checkout lanes, where candy, chocolate and soda are commonly placed to encourage impulse buying ...
Phys.org / First Antarctic-wide map of grounded icebergs reveals 'picket fence effect' holding sea ice in place
For the first time, important features of the Antarctic coastal zone have been mapped at high resolution around the continent by training an artificial intelligence tool to accurately recognize grounded icebergs in satellite ...
Phys.org / Smart pen detects pressure and movement to identify children's writing difficulties sooner
A study by Politecnico di Milano and the University of Insubria (Varese and Como) has been published in PLOS Digital Health. The study involved more than 700 children from primary and lower secondary school. The participants ...
Phys.org / Electrical pulses convert PFAS waste into valuable silver fluoride
Fluorinated waste, like that found in firefighting aqueous film-forming foam, can act as a significant environmental pollutant. Recently, James Tour's lab at Rice University developed a method to capture fluoride from these ...
