Phys.org news

Phys.org / Telomere breaks provide new insights into chaotic chromosome mutations

Researchers at Cardiff University have uncovered how a particularly severe form of DNA damage arises—shedding new light on mutation processes that contribute to cancer and inherited genetic conditions. The study, led by ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Electron microscopy maps protein landscapes that drive photosynthesis

Research led by scientists at Washington State University has revealed insights on how plants form a microscopic landscape of proteins crucial to photosynthesis, the basis of Earth's food and energy chain. The discovery provides ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Study shows spiral sound can shift sideways

A new University of Mississippi study shows that some sound waves don't just move forward—they also move slightly to the side. Understanding this movement could help researchers develop more precise acoustic tools. Likun ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists document Europe's first Jurassic lizard trackways in Asturias

The article presenting the research results was published online at the end of February in the journal Ichnos. The study focuses on two trackways (T1 and T2) preserved as convex hyporeliefs on the underside of a Late Jurassic ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Hybrid synthetic strategy unlocks previously unattainable molecular architectures

The molecular-scale design of materials is one of the major frontiers in modern science. Flat, highly conjugated organic molecules are already used in advanced technologies such as chemical sensors, optoelectronic devices, ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Opening the path to high-efficiency hydrogen production without expensive precious metals

A research team has successfully designed and developed a proprietary non-precious metal oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst featuring a layered structure optimized for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Subway systems are uncomfortably hot—and worsening, study finds

For millions of commuters, the workday doesn't just begin with a train ride. It also begins with a blast of heat. In one of the largest studies ever conducted on thermal comfort in metro systems, Northwestern University scientists ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Europe's buzzards are losing their color diversity, citizen science reveals

As its name suggests, the common buzzard is one of Europe's most familiar birds of prey, often spotted perched on fence posts scanning for mice and worms, or performing spectacular loop dives over fields to attract mates. ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / More than clothing: How ancient needles and awls shaped survival, medicine and ritual

A study led by McKenna Litynski, a Ph.D. graduate in anthropology and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Wyoming, confirms that ancient needles and awls enabled humans to survive in cold climates and shows these ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Where wells run deep, biodiversity runs thin

As the United States continues to lead global oil and gas production—accounting for roughly 20% of worldwide output in 2024—understanding how different extraction methods affect ecosystems has never been more urgent. ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Why lethal mutations persist: Fruit fly study points to newly transferred jumping genes, not small DNA errors

Most lethal mutations in wild fruit flies are driven by newly transferred jumping genes, not small DNA errors, according to a new study from Duke University. The findings, published in PLOS Biology, challenge decades of assumptions ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / AI-enabled quantum refinement cracks the code of difficult-to-map proteins

Using a tool to solve a protein's structure, for most researchers in the world of structural biology and computational chemistry, is not unlike using the Rosetta Stone to unlock the secrets of ancient Egyptian texts. Once ...

Mar 10, 2026