Phys.org news
Phys.org / A common hydrogel may be built differently than assumed, with big implications for mechanics
A study led by Northwestern University researchers has reported a way to observe hydrogel nano and microstructure while the hydrogel remains fully solvated. The approach reveals that methylcellulose, one of the most widely ...
Phys.org / Embryogenesis in 4D: A developmental atlas for genes and cells
How does a tiny cluster of cells become an embryo with a head, trunk, and tail? And how do thousands of genes coordinate this development? A new imaging method makes it possible to visualize the activity of thousands of genes ...
Phys.org / The power of twins: Decoding the unseen biological information flow
The natural world is a rich source of inspiration for developing sophisticated computational systems, and the opposite is also true, with bioinformatics approaches providing keen insight into biological processes. However, ...
Phys.org / Gut microbes: The secret to squirrel hibernation
When winter sets in and food becomes scarce, some mammals hibernate, entering a state of deep rest that slashes their energy needs and allows them to fast for months. However, fasting deprives them of essential nutrients, ...
Phys.org / Caught but not eaten: Smaller insects more likely to escape catfish mouths
A Kobe University study shows that small aquatic beetles survive catfish attacks by resisting ingestion inside the catfish's mouth and being spat out alive. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of size-dependent ...
Phys.org / Global sorghum 'pangenome' accelerates discovery of resilient crop traits
A team of international scientists, including researchers at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, reports a major advance in sorghum genomics: a powerful new resource designed to speed discovery of traits that help crops ...
Phys.org / Wetlands in Brazil's Cerrado are carbon-storage powerhouses
The Amazon rainforest is famous for storing massive amounts of carbon in its trees and soils, helping regulate the global climate. Yet a paper published in New Phytologist shows that one of South America's largest carbon-storing ...
Phys.org / Despite their contrasting reputations, bonobos and chimpanzees show similar levels of aggression in zoos
Chimpanzees have a reputation for being aggressive, while bonobos are often seen as their peaceful counterparts. This contrast has frequently been used to explain different sides of human nature. However, a new study by Utrecht ...
Phys.org / Astronomers capture birth of a magnetar, confirming link to some of universe's brightest exploding stars
Astronomers have for the first time seen the birth of a magnetar—a highly magnetized, spinning neutron star—and confirmed that it's the power source behind some of the brightest exploding stars in the cosmos. The finding ...
Phys.org / Ancient Filipino skeleton reveals a rare hip condition further complicated by scurvy
The growing paleopathological literature shows that scurvy was not a rare problem among people living in the ancient Asia-Pacific tropics. Scurvy is increasingly identified throughout the region, primarily in children but ...
Phys.org / Queen bees survive winter flooding by breathing underwater
Hibernation is a risky endeavor for many animals, as they can be taken away by the elements or predators. For several months of the year, queen bumblebees enter a dormant state underground called diapause. While this keeps ...
Phys.org / Scalable quantum batteries can charge faster than their classical counterparts
Over the past decades, energy engineers have developed increasingly advanced battery technologies that can store more energy, charge faster and maintain their performance for longer. In recent years, some researchers have ...
