Phys.org news

Phys.org / Hidden anatomy of clouds reveals how rain may begin without ice crystals

The initiation of rain in clouds without ice remains one of the largest unsolved mysteries in atmospheric science.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Natural insecticide made from compound found in garlic and spearmint kills bean beetles effectively

In an effort to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides, researchers from Kyushu University have developed and tested a new insecticide made from compounds derived from garlic and spearmint.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Hydraulic traits reveal why some mountain trees move uphill while others shift downhill

As global temperatures rise, scientists have largely assumed that mountain tree species will move uphill in search of cooler conditions. A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals a more complex reality: Some ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Honduras review confirms 227 native mammal species after eight-year effort

An eight-year international research effort has produced the most comprehensive review of Honduras' mammals since 1998, verifying 227 native species across 146 genera and 42 families, along with three introduced rodent species. ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Antenna-like cell appendage may help turtle embryos sense sex-deciding nest temperatures

When most baby turtles hatch, their sex depends on the temperature of the sand or soil where their mother laid her eggs. Warm incubation produces females, while cool nests produce males.

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Uranus's unusual rotation makes its bow shock expand and contract each day

Within our solar system, Uranus is a geometric oddball. Its spin axis tilts more than 90° from its orbit, so it essentially rolls on its side through space. In contrast, Earth and other planets tilt only moderately or not ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Hidden hormone–habitat relationship revealed in reef fish

In the animal kingdom, only those that adapt to their environment survive. This adaptation takes a wide range of forms, from invisible internal shifts in gene expression to dramatic anatomical changes, such as tadpoles growing ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Different genes, same result: How flies evolved multiple ways to define heads and tails

One of the most important milestones in the early life of an organism is when the embryo breaks symmetry and arranges itself to form the head (anterior) at one end and tail (posterior) at the other end. Scientists have used ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Mobile fungal 'Starship' carries protein that triggers crop leaf loss

An international research team led by plant scientist Professor Dr. Bart Thomma of the Institute of Plant Sciences at the University of Cologne, the MiBiNet Collaborative Research Center and the CEPLAS Cluster of Excellence ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / From mountain peaks to microclimates, new maps bring satellite big data down to Earth

Zooming from her office, Michigan State University researcher Kelly Kapsar showed satellite images from across the United States. In some, different colors revealed the precise heights of the forested ridges in the Sierra ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / One snail, five slimes: Collagen and calcium reshape mucus for different jobs

Snails are particularly active after a rain shower. Even on the Max Planck Campus in Potsdam-Golm, common brown-lipped snails (Cepaea nemoralis) leave behind shiny trails of mucus. Researchers from the "Biomaterials" department ...

Aug 7, 2026
Phys.org / Newly identified C/EBPγ protein links cancer cell plasticity and DNA repair

A research team has identified the transcription factor C/EBPγ as a novel regulator that simultaneously promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and DNA double-strand break repair in lung adenocarcinoma cells. The ...

Aug 7, 2026