Phys.org news

Phys.org / Shear flow in narrow channels sparks amyloid formation, experiments reveal

Many cars and not enough lanes is a recipe for traffic jams. Now, researchers from Japan show that even proteins can get backed up and start behaving poorly when too many try to squeeze too quickly through a small space.

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Species discoveries reveal emerging biodiversity hotspots worldwide

We share our planet with millions of plants and animals. This variety of life is known as biodiversity, a term encompassing everything from microscopic genes to entire ecosystems, such as deserts and vibrant coral reefs.

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / MOF-coated catalyst converts CO₂ to CO nearly five times faster under ultrasonic vibration

Researchers at the University of Osaka have developed a catalyst that uses mechanical vibration to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO), an important chemical feedstock. The catalyst consists of barium titanate ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Tomatoes get flavor boost from green bin compost

Commercially farmed tomatoes taste sweeter when food and garden waste compost is added to their soil, a University of Queensland study has found. Researchers in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability grew tomatoes ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / How bacteria develop resistance to programmable antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges facing modern medicine. A new class of programmable antibiotics known as asobiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections when classical antibiotics fail. A team ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Cellular 'glue' helps epithelial tissues engulf dead cells while staying sealed

A protein that sticks cells and tissues together has been found to have a surprising second job: helping cells that are packed into a continuous sealed layer, also known as epithelial cells, engulf nearby dead cells.

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / The wisdom of the egg cell: Oocyte epigenetic mark may help prevent excessive placental growth after fertilization

The genome—which contains genes encoded in DNA—acts as the fundamental blueprint of life. But what you might not know is that, in addition to this genetic information, we have something akin to an "instruction manual" for ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Using AI to thwart election misinformation

Election rumors, such as unverified accounts of voter fraud, have run rampant in the U.S. in recent years. Powered by the speed of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), it can be hard for people to know what messages ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Planting fake customer reviews hurts businesses big time, study finds

The capital of any business comes in (at least) two categories. There's the kind that has a price—land, cash holdings, etc.—and a less tangible, priceless kind. Reputational capital falls squarely into the latter category. ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / 'Like uprooting tree stumps'—pulling nanoscale anchors creates tiny pores that could speed biosensor manufacturing

A new manufacturing method could help move the production of nanoscale sensors from specialized fabrication facilities to conventional semiconductor manufacturing plants.Publishing in Science Advances, researchers from KTH ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Beyond the Petri dish: Testing tomorrow's drugs in human blood

The COVID vaccine is perhaps the first thing many people think of when they hear about mRNA-based drugs. Small packages of genetic material are sent into the body, prompting cells to produce useful proteins in the fight against ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Geomimicry offers a new framework for engineering sustainable materials

When engineers look to nature for inspiration, they often turn to living systems. The flight of birds has influenced aircraft design, gecko feet inspired new adhesives and lotus leaves led to the development of self-cleaning ...

Aug 27, 2026