Phys.org news
Phys.org / Space storms light up Japan's sky with red auroras climbing far higher than expected
On a special night, if you are lucky, you might catch a faint red glow quietly lighting up Japan's sky, stretching low along the horizon and easy to miss if you are not looking carefully. Subtle and diffuse, it probably appears ...
Phys.org / Scientists solve 50-year mystery of plant immunity by unlocking debneyol's blueprint
In a silent war that has raged for millions of years, plants have evolved a sophisticated chemical arsenal to fight back against invading pathogens. Now, a team of researchers from Peking University and Tsinghua University ...
Phys.org / Glowing fungi expose final enzyme that could make bioluminescent tools more efficient
Like fireflies and many deep-sea creatures, certain fungi can naturally emit light through bioluminescence pathways in which specialized enzymes convert chemical energy into visible light. Medical researchers have used fungal ...
Phys.org / When Mendel's rules don't apply: Mouse study reveals hidden epigenetic inheritance
Scientists have long known that the DNA code in genes is not the only way to pass genetic traits from parents to offspring. "Epigenetic" marks—chemical modifications to DNA that don't change the DNA code itself—can also be ...
Phys.org / The fungus that spoils nearly everything: Gray mold secret revealed
Even if you haven't heard of Botrytis cinerea, you've likely seen it—slowly growing in your store-bought blueberries, tomatoes or even on your beautiful orchids. Commonly known as gray mold, the fungus attacks hundreds of ...
Phys.org / Could future Mars settlers print their own tools?
If humans one day settle Mars, they will need tools and parts to build structures on the planet. Carrying heavy, bulky supplies 34 million miles from Earth would be impractical. A better plan, says Zane Mebruer, a recent ...
Phys.org / Urban aerosols grow faster in polluted air, sharpening climate model gaps
Aerosols and clouds play a key role in Earth's climate budget. However, the extent to which they reflect solar energy depends heavily on how much water the particles can absorb. This so-called hygroscopicity has so far been ...
Phys.org / Forbidden friends become former friends after moms voice disapproval
It's a tale as old as time: parents don't like the company their children keep—and don't hesitate to say so. Often, parents openly state their disapproval, hoping that children will abandon unwelcome affiliates and seek out ...
Phys.org / Astronomers uncover why some solar eruptions die
A team of scientists has recorded one of the most detailed views ever of a failed solar eruption, a powerful blast from the sun that never broke free. Their work is published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
Phys.org / Carbon markets underestimate the risks U.S. forests face from climate change, researchers warn
The world's forests form a vast network of carbon reservoirs, keeping carbon sequestered from the atmosphere where its presence is disrupting Earth's climate systems. Many corporate, national and state climate policies rely ...
Phys.org / Dominant fish face higher microplastic risk than subordinates in social groups
Fish who display dominant traits are more at risk of consuming microplastic pollution than others in their social group, according to new research. The study, led by the University of Glasgow and published in Proceedings ...
Phys.org / Fragility found in a high value shark population
The vulnerability of a shark population to losing even small numbers to fishing has been highlighted by researchers from the University of Chester and partners in the Philippines using a remote stereo camera system. The team ...
