Phys.org news
Phys.org / The hidden risk of combined stressors for soils
Global change—a term that encompasses climate change and phenomena such as changes in land use or environmental pollution—is increasingly putting ecosystems around the world under pressure. Urban soils in particular are ...
Phys.org / New technology converts naturally derived monomers into degradable polymer capsules
Polymer capsules can store functional substances such as drugs and fragrances, making them widely used in functional cosmetics and daily necessities. However, conventional capsules use non-degradable polymers and are difficult ...
Phys.org / ISS astronauts splash down on Earth after first-ever medical evacuation
Four International Space Station crewmembers splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, NASA footage showed, after the first ever medical evacuation in the orbital lab's history.
Phys.org / DNA's hidden 'traffic controller' protein may hold clues to cancer prevention
A new LUMC study has changed our understanding of how cells work. Researchers have discovered that the CFAP20 protein acts as a kind of "traffic controller" on DNA. Without this protein, chaos ensues, potentially causing ...
Phys.org / Earth system models overestimate river flow increases, research reveals
Understanding how water moves through the Earth system is fundamental to predicting climate impacts and ensuring sustainable water management. Yet despite decades of research, uncertainties persist regarding how global precipitation ...
Phys.org / Large parts of the tropics overlooked in environmental research, study says
Environmental research in the tropics is heavily skewed, according to a comprehensive study led by Umeå University. Humid lowland forest ecosystems receive a disproportionate amount of attention, while colder and drier regions ...
Phys.org / Overcoming symmetry limits in photovoltaics through surface engineering
A recent study carried out by researchers from EHU, the Materials Physics Center, nanoGUNE, and DIPC introduces a novel approach to solar energy conversion and spintronics. The work tackles a long-standing limitation in the ...
Phys.org / Disinfecting drinking water produces potentially toxic byproducts—new AI model is helping to identify them
Disinfecting drinking water prevents the spread of deadly waterborne diseases by killing infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Without disinfection, even clear-looking water can carry pathogens that can ...
Phys.org / Exploring metabolic noise opens new paths to better biomanufacturing
Much like humans, microbial organisms can be fickle in their productivity. One moment they're cranking out useful chemicals in vast fermentation tanks, metabolizing feed to make products from pharmaceuticals and supplements ...
Phys.org / Fossils reveal 'latitudinal traps' that increased extinction risk for marine species
A new study led by researchers at the University of Oxford has shown that the shape and orientation of coastlines significantly influenced extinction patterns for animals living in the shallow oceans during the last 540 million ...
Phys.org / Crowd sensing for the environment: Citizen science and plant apps map how urbanization alters city soils and climate
Plants reflect urban climate and soil conditions with remarkable precision. Using more than 80 million observations from plant identification apps, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry have produced ...
Phys.org / The sky's hidden ecosystem: Radar reveals an organized, living habitat
When people think about habitats on Earth, they likely picture forests, oceans or grasslands. Few think to look up. Yet the lower atmosphere, or troposphere, may be the largest habitat on the planet. A new study published ...
