Phys.org news

Phys.org / 'Ecology of fear' can dramatically change the behavior of blue mussels

For a blue mussel, a good meal does not come entirely without risk. Blue mussels feed by filtering microscopic algae from seawater. But some unwelcome guests can slip in along with their food. Tiny parasite larvae can hitch ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / AI flood map reveals 11 million Americans may be omitted from official risk zones

Official flood maps shape disaster preparedness, insurance decisions and urban planning, but large parts of the United States remain unmapped or under-mapped. This means some communities may be left unaware of the risks they ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Interacting with AI can make people act more like robots

As AI continues to develop at a rapid pace, social robots powered by AI are becoming more commonplace in customer service settings such as retail, hospitality, tourism and health care. But as these robots become smarter and ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Genetic 'switches' could program 3D-printed bone tissue for blood vessel growth

An interdisciplinary team of engineers and chemists at Penn State has laid the groundwork for 3D printing spheroids—tiny clusters of living cells—capable of regenerating bone tissue in response to severe trauma or infections.

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Microbial clocks can accurately estimate time since death across different climates

New research reveals that microbial clocks—forensic tools that track the succession and development of bacteria and fungi involved in decomposition after death—are highly accurate for estimating time since death, or postmortem ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Rye reference genome uncovers diversity that could strengthen wheat breeding

Rye is not only a hardy and high-yielding crop, but also possesses a valuable gene pool for wheat breeding. An international research team led by the IPK Leibniz Institute has significantly improved the foundations for research ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Quantum simulators gain quantitative error bars in 51-ion test

In the coming years, increasingly larger and more powerful quantum systems are expected to tackle problems that are difficult or impossible to solve using conventional computers. However, the more powerful quantum simulations ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Archaeologists unveil skeletal remains believed to be ritual offering in Peru

Archaeologists on Tuesday unveiled the skeletal remains of an adult they believe was buried as an offering near the base of Huaca Pucllana, an ancient adobe pyramid in Peru's capital of Lima.

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Jellyfish reveal how rapid cell turnover may suppress early cancer growth

Although increased cell proliferation is a hallmark of cancerous tissues, in some cases it may actually protect against tumor growth, according to a new study by Caltech researchers. Using mathematical models, the work suggests ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Greenwashing firms are scrutinized less if they are in politicians' pockets, study finds

Companies with strong political connections are more likely to escape scrutiny over greenwashing, according to new research from Durham University Business School. Greenwashing occurs when organizations overstate or misrepresent ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / 3D map of cell signaling sites could help improve cancer treatment

Cell-communication molecules called kinases play a key role in the growth and spread of many cancers. But exactly which kinases are active in a particular cancer is not always clear—there are 1.8 million sites on human proteins ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Novel insights into aerosol behavior could improve air-quality forecasting

New research from Purdue University demonstrates how organic aerosol molecules can influence one another's behavior in ways that existing atmospheric models do not fully capture.

Aug 19, 2026