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 ...

19 hours ago
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 ...

19 hours ago
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 ...

19 hours ago
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, ...

20 hours ago
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 ...

20 hours ago
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 ...

21 hours ago
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 ...

21 hours ago
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 ...

22 hours ago
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 ...

22 hours ago
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 ...

23 hours ago
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 ...

21 hours ago
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 ...

23 hours ago