Phys.org news

Phys.org / The shape of things to come: How spheroid geometry guides multicellular orbiting and invasion

As organisms develop from embryos, groups of cells migrate and reshape themselves to form all manner of complex tissues. There are no anatomical molds shaped like lungs, livers or other tissues for cells to grow into. Rather, ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Nepal's green success story has a hidden social gap, research shows

In recent years, Nepal has been heralded as a global leader in community-based forest conservation. By handing over nearly a third of its nationally owned forest to local villagers in the 1980s, the country reversed years ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Arctic seas are getting louder as ice melts, posing risks: Study shows how to better measure noise

The Arctic is experiencing a steady rise in human-generated underwater noise as melting ice and increasing activity open the region to greater vessel traffic, with major implications for wildlife and local communities. New ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Environmental conditions can influence evolution of gut microbiomes in African herbivores

A study of wild African herbivores offers new insight into how environmental conditions—not just diet and anatomy—can influence the evolution of gut microbes that play a critical role in animal health and well-being.

Jan 26, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Molecular arrangement strategy targets multiple Alzheimer's disease factors at once

Conventional treatments of Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common forms of dementia, have been largely focused on targeting individual pathological features. However, Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial disorder ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / New data show reduced overall PFAS exposures in subarctic ocean

Beginning in the early 2000s, some of the most common and well-studied PFAS were phased out through a combination of industry shifts and international regulations. A new study from Harvard has found that since that phaseout, ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Lit bots beware: AI creative writing faces reader skepticism, study shows

When it comes to creative writing, score one for the humans over the machines. For now, anyway. New research finds that people evaluate creative writing less favorably when they learn it was generated in whole or part by ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Early warning for wine spoilage glows in the dark

Researchers built a living biosensor made of bacteria that lights up when it detects acetic acid, the main chemical signal that wine is starting to spoil. It works in real time, even in high-alcohol conditions, so wineries ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / New DNA 'page numbers' method enables accurate assembly of long genetic sequences

The power of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing has made it possible to design genetic sequences encoding for diverse biological applications, such as proteins that form the building blocks of materials stronger ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Scientists reveal gold precipitation mechanism at pyrite-water interface

Gold is generally associated with pyrite (iron disulfide, FeS2), and pyrite-induced gold precipitation is critical to the formation of high-grade gold deposits. However, the role of pyrite in precipitating gold from fluids ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Q&A: Even small amounts of online math practice can improve skills

An analysis of data from 200,000 students using a computer-assisted math program supports an optimistic view of skill-focused, mastery-based learning, even with limited use.

Jan 26, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Harvestmen arachnids apparently use fluorescent patterns for species recognition

A research team from Munich has identified a previously unknown communication mechanism in harvestmen. Five closely related species show species-specific, strongly fluorescent structures on their backs that become especially ...

Jan 26, 2026 in Biology