Phys.org news

Phys.org / Queen conch's hopping behavior helps set new conservation guidance

A new study published in Conservation Biology examines the behavior and distribution of queen conch (Aliger gigas) to guide conservation management for the threatened sea snail.

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Genomic study uncovers button mushroom's evolutionary and domestication history

A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary and domestication history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world.

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Surprise discovery reveals silica's hidden potential in flat optics

An unexpected discovery in a Harvard lab has led to a breakthrough insight into choosing an unconventional material, silica, to make optical metasurfaces—ultra-thin, flat structures that control light at the nanoscale and ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / An AI-driven strategy to accelerate microbial gene function discovery

We know the genes, but not their functions—to resolve this long-standing bottleneck in microbial research, a joint research team has proposed a cutting-edge research strategy that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Silky shark tagging study reveals gaps in marine protected areas

The limited range of marine protected areas (MPAs) offers reduced protection to vulnerable species such as the highly mobile silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis). Because the survival of these sharks is threatened by commercial ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Scientists observe infections by cancer-causing retroviruses in koalas as they occur

An international team of scientists has analyzed the ongoing colonization by two retroviruses of the germline of koalas and resulting deaths from cancer in multi-generational pedigrees of over 100 koalas in US and European ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Compressed data technique enables pangenomics at scale

Engineers at the University of California have developed a new data structure and compression technique that enables the field of pangenomics to handle unprecedented scales of genetic information. The team, led by UC San ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Fungal mechanism reveals how powdery mildew overcomes wheat immune defenses

Cereals have natural resistance to pathogenic fungi, but powdery mildew, for example, can overcome this resistance. A team at the University of Zurich has now discovered a new mechanism that enables powdery mildew to outsmart ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Retail therapy fail? Online shopping may raise stress more than news, email or adult content

Planning to save time by doing your shopping online? If so, it's possible you're not doing your well-being any favors. A study from Aalto University in Finland has found that online shopping is more strongly linked to stress ...

Jan 12, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Major gaps in global satellite maps of forests raise policy concerns

For decades, global efforts to combat climate change and protect biodiversity have relied on a high-tech promise: that satellite-derived maps can tell us exactly where the world's forests are.

Jan 12, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / High-speed AFM imaging reveals how brain enzyme forms a dodecameric ring structure

Scientists at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, have captured real-time images showing how a key brain enzyme organizes itself to help memory formation.

Jan 12, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Vaccinia virus breaks textbook rules by ditching its cap

A research team led by Václav Vopálenský and Martin Pospíšek from the Faculty of Science, Charles University, has discovered a surprising way in which the vaccinia virus handles its genetic messages.

Jan 12, 2026 in Biology