Phys.org news
Phys.org / Why is almost everyone right-handed? The answer may lie in how we learned to walk
It is one of the strangest puzzles in human evolution. About 90% of people across every human culture favor their right hand—with no other primate species showing a population-level preference on this scale. Despite decades ...
Phys.org / Coal pollution is cutting solar power output worldwide, study finds
New research led by the University of Oxford and University College London (UCL) has revealed that pollution from coal-fired power plants is significantly reducing the energy output of solar photovoltaic (solar PV) installations, ...
Phys.org / Neuron imaging captures unconventional receptor route that supports synaptic communication
All cells, whether big or small, short or long, rely on proteins to function properly. In most cells, transporting these proteins is relatively simple. Neurons in the brain, however, face a significant logistical challenge ...
Phys.org / Implantable bacteria can now be safely contained, clearing a major hurdle for fighting infection and cancer
Researchers have long known that bacteria could potentially be used to deliver therapeutic drugs inside the human body. However, safely and successfully carrying out such a feat in humans has been a challenge. But now, researchers ...
Phys.org / Scientists identify hidden accelerant in Antarctic ice loss
For years, scientists have warned that melting Antarctic ice could push sea levels dangerously higher by the end of this century. But a new study led by University of Maryland scientist Madeleine Youngs suggests those warnings ...
Phys.org / RNA's first letter may shape antiviral alarms, with A outpacing G
Researchers at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB), led by Prof. Gracjan Michlewski, have shown that a subtle difference at the very beginning of an RNA molecule can influence how strongly ...
Phys.org / Sustainable chemistry: Iron substitutes noble metals in catalytic reactions
The production of many products used in everyday life and in industry, such as pharmaceuticals, plastics, and coatings, requires chemical catalysts, often expensive noble metals with limited availability. Researchers at the ...
Phys.org / New species of venomous box jellyfish discovered in Singapore
Finding highly venomous box jellyfish that are almost invisible in water is not an easy task—but researching them is crucial so that we can learn how to safely avoid them. Stings from these "sea-wasps" are extremely painful ...
Phys.org / Mathematical method calculates most efficient Earth-moon route yet
Researchers have developed a mathematical method that enables more precise calculations of the most economical travel routes between the orbits of celestial bodies. To demonstrate this method, they calculated a more efficient ...
Phys.org / Climate change costs lives by breaking down social connection, says study
Climate change is widely understood as an environmental and economic threat, but new research from the University of Sydney shows it is also a growing social crisis, weakening the relationships people rely on to survive.
Phys.org / Tropical rivers emerge as biggest oxygen-loss hotspots in a warming world
According to a study published in Science Advances on May 15, global rivers are undergoing widespread and sustained deoxygenation driven by climate warming, among which tropical rivers are the most vulnerable ecosystems, ...
Phys.org / A hidden threshold enables tunable control of liquid crystal helices for energy-efficient technologies
Liquid crystals are an integral part of modern technology, ranging from displays to advanced sensory systems. In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from the Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak ...