Phys.org news
Phys.org / Breeding a better cucumber: New genetic map reveals 171,892 structural variants
Cucumber is an economically important crop worldwide, ranking as the third most-produced vegetable after tomatoes and onions. Yet breeding improved varieties—plants that are more resilient, produce better-shaped fruit, ...
Phys.org / Most of Hawaii's birds contribute to avian malaria transmission, study finds
New research on avian malaria, which has decimated Hawaii's beloved birds, explains how non-native birds play a key role in transmission and contribute to the widespread distribution of the disease. This disease threatens ...
Phys.org / Versatile enzyme that quickly, accurately synthesizes RNA can also perform reverse transcription
From vaccines and diagnostics to emerging gene-based therapies, RNA molecules are now central to modern medicine. But as their use continues to grow, so does a fundamental challenge: producing RNA quickly, accurately and ...
Phys.org / Passing got faster and more accurate in top soccer leagues, study finds
The amount and accuracy of passing in the game of soccer—called football across much of the world—has climbed in recent years, according to new research. The average passing volume, pass accuracy, and the percentage of ...
Phys.org / A new inhalable treatment for tuberculosis: Once-weekly nanoparticles match daily oral rifampin in mice
Researchers at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo have developed a new inhalable form of tuberculosis (TB) treatment that could significantly reduce the burden of current therapy. ...
Phys.org / Upcycling genes: 'SUPER' platform improves underperforming genetic parts
A research team has developed the "SUPER (Synthetic Upcycling Platform for Engineering Regulators)" platform, which dramatically enhances the performance and stability of gene regulatory devices. This research was recently ...
Phys.org / Moving beyond money to measure the true value of Earth science information
They're all around us: sensors and satellites, radars and drones. These tools form vast remote sensing networks that collect data on the climate, the ground, the air, and the water. This information is immensely useful for ...
Phys.org / In-situ sensor enables real-time monitoring of soil nitrate nitrogen
Accurate measurement of soil NO₃⁻-N is essential for precision fertilization and stable crop yields. Real-time monitoring of NO₃⁻-N has long been a challenge in agriculture. Conventional soil nutrient testing relies ...
Phys.org / Fruit fly study reveals how mating triggers behavioral changes in females
Researchers from The Universities of Manchester and Birmingham have identified the exact nerve cells in the brain that drive important behavioral changes in female fruit flies after they mate. The discovery, published in ...
Phys.org / Exploring how the immune system detects drugs coated with 'stealth' polymers
A recent study by researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo unveils the molecular mechanisms explaining why some "stealth" drug coatings fail to evade the immune system. Using single-molecule atomic force microscopy, the ...
Phys.org / Building blocks of life discovered in Bennu asteroid rewrite origin story
Amino acids, the building blocks necessary for life, were previously found in samples of 4.6-billion-year-old rocks from an asteroid called Bennu, delivered to Earth in 2023 by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. How those amino acids—the ...
Phys.org / Leading AI models struggle to solve original math problems
Mathematics, like many other scientific endeavors, is increasingly using artificial intelligence. Of course, math is the backbone of AI, but mathematicians are also turning to these tools for tasks like literature searches ...