Phys.org news

Phys.org / Why averages fail for bacteria in the open ocean

How can bacteria that forage on organic particles survive in vast ocean regions where such particles are extremely sparse? A new study by researchers from ETH Zurich and Queen Mary University of London shows that variability ...

15 hours ago
Phys.org / How boron helps to produce key proteins for new cancer therapies

Chemists from ETH Zurich have found a way to produce poorly soluble proteins by caging a uniquely reactive boron compound. This method opens up new possibilities for the synthesis of tailored protein therapeutics, including ...

15 hours ago
Phys.org / Probiotic sugar compound blocks norovirus from attaching to cells

Stopping viruses before they strike is a key challenge in public health. A research team led by Associate Professor Li Dan from the Department of Food Science and Technology at National University of Singapore's Faculty of ...

16 hours ago
Phys.org / Moisture-powered polymers could make cleaning CO₂ from air more efficient

Over the past century, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased dramatically. This rise has contributed to global warming and led to many harmful effects, including shifting weather patterns and more frequent ...

15 hours ago
Phys.org / Strange cosmic burst from colliding galaxies shines light on heavy elements

A recently detected flash of energy appears to have emanated from the wreckage of colliding galaxies, according to an international team of astronomers led by Penn State scientists. The burst, known as GRB 230906A, was likely ...

18 hours ago
Phys.org / Study shows spiral sound can shift sideways

A new University of Mississippi study shows that some sound waves don't just move forward—they also move slightly to the side. Understanding this movement could help researchers develop more precise acoustic tools. Likun ...

17 hours ago
Phys.org / How does snow gather on a roof? Simulation considers turbulence alongside snowflake size

No two snowflakes may be the same, but models that fail to take these variations into consideration often fall short when calculating the way snow accumulates on roofs. In Physics of Fluids, researchers from Harbin Institute ...

17 hours ago
Phys.org / Life-limiting heat exposure has doubled since the 1950s, study finds

Climate change since the 1950s has doubled the amount of time per year that millions of people around the world must endure heat so extreme that everyday physical activities cannot be done safely, a new study concludes.

19 hours ago
Phys.org / Subglacial weathering may have slowed planet's escape from snowball Earth

A new study led by researchers at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Institute of Science Tokyo challenges a long-standing assumption about Earth's most extreme ice ages. Using numerical geochemical models, the team ...

18 hours ago
Phys.org / More than clothing: How ancient needles and awls shaped survival, medicine and ritual

A study led by McKenna Litynski, a Ph.D. graduate in anthropology and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Wyoming, confirms that ancient needles and awls enabled humans to survive in cold climates and shows these ...

18 hours ago
Phys.org / Understanding how wind moves pollen can guide urban planning decisions about green spaces

Due to climate change, plants' pollination season has been growing longer and longer. As a result, people are exposed to allergens for extended periods each year, raising a major public health concern. Researchers from Embry‑Riddle ...

17 hours ago
Phys.org / Subway systems are uncomfortably hot—and worsening, study finds

For millions of commuters, the workday doesn't just begin with a train ride. It also begins with a blast of heat. In one of the largest studies ever conducted on thermal comfort in metro systems, Northwestern University scientists ...

22 hours ago