Phys.org news

Phys.org / New technique spots hidden defects to boost reliability of ultrathin electronics

Future devices will continue to probe the frontier of the very small, and at scales where functionality depends on mere atoms, even the tiniest flaw matters. Researchers at Rice University have shown that hard-to-spot defects ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Endangered giant clam feeding strategies could determine species' future survival

Giant clams (Tridacna gigas), members of the family Tridacnidae and among the most striking inhabitants of tropical coral reefs, are being driven toward extinction. Over-harvesting for jewelry, the aquarium trade, and food, ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Turning over a new leaf in analyses of natural products

Scientists have developed a new way to help understand what happens in the body when people consume a plant product and the many chemicals it contains. The Journal of Natural Products published the method to quickly analyze ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Undergrads expand the chemical toolbox for cancer drugs

Thanks to modern therapies, a cancer diagnosis is no longer an automatic death sentence. But many patients still suffer from unwanted side effects and limited efficacy. In a recent Bioconjugate Chemistry publication, William ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / How RNA binding selectivity arises from disordered regions

RIKEN researchers have discovered how an enzyme modifies gene expression by targeting certain stretches of messenger RNA (mRNA) while leaving others alone. This finding could contribute to the rational design of drugs that ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / A puddle that jumps: What bubble bursts reveal about water on lotus-like surfaces

Water droplets have a unique ability: They can leap from a surface on their own. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as when a surface repels water or when heat is involved, such as a water or oil droplet skittering ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Tackling industry's burdensome bubble problem

In industrial plants around the world, tiny bubbles cause big problems. Bubbles clog filters, disrupt chemical reactions, reduce throughput during biomanufacturing, and can even cause overheating in electronics and nuclear ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Smart materials and drug delivery could exploit lipid molecules that reorganize at drying interfaces

Minor changes in moisture level can promote lipid molecules to reorganize themselves in biomaterial or biomembranes. This can affect how the skin, lungs and tear film protect us from dehydration. This new discovery from Lund ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Nanochannel method makes ion membranes twice as strong for clean energy

Researchers have found a way to fabricate film-thin membranes imbued with super strength that could extend the durability of decarbonization technologies. Chemical engineers at The University of Queensland are harnessing ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Atomic precision unlocks smarter oxygen reduction catalysts

Tiny changes at the atomic scale can determine the future of clean energy. In a new study, Tohoku University researchers have revealed how the precise coordination environment surrounding a single cobalt atom dramatically ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Scientists identify ARK1 protein that stops malaria parasite growth

An international team of scientists has shed light on the development of the malaria parasite and has identified a unique protein essential for its survival and transmission, which offers a promising new target for antimalaria ...

Feb 26, 2026
Phys.org / Forget flatfooted lumbering T. rex. New research shows it walked on tiptoes

Powerful, fierce and the king of the Cretaceous world, Tyrannosaurus rex was the ultimate apex predator. But it was also surprisingly dainty on its feet, according to new research. Findings published in the journal Royal ...

Feb 25, 2026