Phys.org news

Phys.org / Engineering analysis of Thrinaxodon fossils uncovers unexpectedly advanced hearing in early mammal kin

One of the most important steps in the evolution of modern mammals was the development of highly sensitive hearing. The middle ear of mammals, with an eardrum and several small bones, allows us to hear a broad range of frequencies ...

13 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Olfaction written in bones: New insights into the evolution of the sense of smell in mammals

The sense of smell is vital for animals, as it helps them find food, protect themselves from predators and interact socially. An international research team led by Dr. Quentin Martinez and Dr. Eli Amson from the State Museum ...

13 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Global shift to sustainable pest management expected to yield long-term benefits

What would happen if farmers around the globe were to switch over to sustainable pest management? An international study headed by the University of Bonn and ETH Zurich focused on precisely this question. The study is based ...

13 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Parasitic fungus may have emerged 18 million years before the ants with which it lives today

A genus of fungi previously considered a parasite of fungi associated with ants may actually have much more complex ecological functions. According to a study published in the journal Communications Biology, one piece of ...

14 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Bacterium's molecular speargun defense may leave it exposed to antibiotics

Countless bacterial species share cramped environments where competition for space and resources is fierce. Some rely on a molecular speargun to outcompete their opponents. One of them is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is widespread ...

13 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Sum-frequency microscope can image an invisible 2D material

Researchers from the Physical Chemistry and Theory departments at the Fritz Haber Institute have found a new way to image layers of boron nitride that are only a single atom thick. This material is usually nearly invisible ...

14 hours ago in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Archaeologists use lasers to locate ancient settlements and artifacts on Greek Islands

A group of scientists are studying the Cyclades, an island group in Greece's Aegean Sea, looking for signs of early human activity. They are using technology such as laser scanning and magnetometry, which may be more effective ...

16 hours ago in Other Sciences
Phys.org / A geometric recipe for stabilizing atomically thin metals

Metallenes are atomically thin metals whose unique properties make them extremely promising for nanoscale applications. However, their extreme thinness makes them also flimsy.

14 hours ago in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / How microtubules take part in cellular signal processing

Microtubules perform an active role in communication within the cell by transmitting received signals to the cell's functional units. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the Department of Biomedicine at the ...

15 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / NYC congestion pricing cuts air pollution by 22% in Manhattan, study finds

Since New York City introduced congestion pricing in January 2025, the state has heralded significant reductions in traffic and rush hour delays, fewer crashes and noise complaints, and toll revenue projected to hit $500 ...

16 hours ago in Earth
Phys.org / Estimating the number of flying insects in the US using weather radar

Although millions upon millions of living creatures fly, feed and reproduce in the air, this habitat has hardly been researched. Insects are under increasing pressure worldwide due to global change and human activities. However, ...

15 hours ago in Biology
Phys.org / Plant-virus proteins guide gold nanoparticles into eco-friendly sheets for solar tech

Using proteins from a common tobacco plant virus, McGill chemistry researchers have developed a simple, eco-friendly way to arrange gold nanoparticles into ultrathin sheets, strengthening the particles' optical properties. ...

16 hours ago in Nanotechnology