Phys.org news
Phys.org / Researchers uncover MraZ 'donut' deformation that triggers bacterial cell division
A research team led by UAB researcher David Reverter has discovered the molecular mechanism that describes in detail the process regulating cell division in bacteria, based on the binding of the MraZ protein to the dcw gene ...
Phys.org / Deer inhibit trees but raise plant diversity, 18-year study reveals
At high densities, white-tailed deer inhibit growth of trees but increase the overall diversity of smaller plant and weed species, according to a long-term study published recently. The work is published in the journal PLOS ...
Phys.org / Amazon rainforest flipped to carbon source during 2023 extreme drought, study shows
The Amazon rainforest is of crucial importance to the Earth's ecosystem, given its capacity to store substantial amounts of carbon in its vegetation. In 2023, the region experienced unusually high temperatures, reaching 1.5°C ...
Phys.org / Physicists explain the exceptional energy-harvesting efficiency of perovskites
Despite being riddled with impurities and defects, solution-processed lead-halide perovskites are surprisingly efficient at converting solar energy into electricity. Their efficiency is approaching that of silicon-based solar ...
Phys.org / New blockchain platform brings credibility to carbon registries
As governments and companies race to meet climate pledges, from net-zero goals to near-term emissions cuts, Cornell researchers have developed a blockchain-based platform to improve how those commitments are recorded and ...
Phys.org / Antarctica sits above Earth's strongest 'gravity hole.' Now we know how it got that way
Gravity feels reliable—stable and consistent enough to count on. But reality is far stranger than our intuition. In truth, the strength of gravity varies over Earth's surface. And it is weakest beneath the frozen continent ...
Phys.org / Molecular 'knitting machine' for bacterial capsules mapped in 3D
Most bacteria, including many bacterial pathogens, are surrounded by an outer protective layer of sugar molecules, known as a capsule. This primarily protects the bacteria from environmental influences, but also serves as ...
Phys.org / Offshore wind farms change ocean current patterns, simulations show
By 2050, offshore wind power capacity in the North Sea is set to increase more than tenfold. Researchers at the Helmholtz Center Hereon have analyzed the long-term overall impact of this large number of wind farms on the ...
Phys.org / New nanohole-based microscopy monitors electrochemical reactions millisecond by millisecond
Many technological applications, such as sensors and batteries, greatly rely on electrochemical reactions. Improving these technologies depends on understanding how electrochemical reactions work. However, most current methods ...
Phys.org / New species of ancient crocodile named in honor of Welsh school teacher
A new species of crocodylomorph dating to about 215 million years ago has been described from the U.K. It has been called Galahadosuchus jonesi in recognition of David Rhys Jones, a secondary school physics teacher from Ysgol ...
Phys.org / If alien signals have already reached Earth, why haven't we seen them?
For decades, scientists have searched the skies for signs of extraterrestrial technology. A study from EPFL asks a sharp question: if alien signals have already reached Earth without us noticing, what should we realistically ...
Phys.org / New tool could reduce collision risk for Earth-observation satellites
Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a new way to design Earth-observation satellite missions that could help protect the space environment while continuing to deliver vital data for tackling global ...
