Phys.org news

Phys.org / Ancient Mongolian cemetery reveals power and status mattered more than blood ties

On the edge of the Mongolian steppe, overlooking where two rivers meet, lies an ancient cemetery. Buried within are two families, traced through ancient DNA across six generations, surrounded by dozens of "strangers." The ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / Antarctica is offering 30 to 50 years' worth of warning on sea level rise, models suggest

Scientists predict that the next three to five decades provide a critical window to anticipate and plan for Antarctic ice loss and its contribution to sea level rise. Research published in Nature, led by Monash University ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / Saturday Citations: Intermittent fasting and chronic stress; macroscopic entanglement; gamma-ray bursts

Researchers reported this week a deadly outbreak of plague in Siberia 5,500 years ago, revealing that Yersinia pestis evolved lethal genetic traits far earlier than suspected. A drug developed for heart tissue repair may ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / Crane pair dances follow hidden rules, with performances revealing partner-driven timing

Animal pairs engage in mutual signaling by simultaneously performing a diverse repertoire of behaviors. A famous example is the sophisticated dance (mutual displays) performed by bird pairs.

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / New nanotube membranes reveal unusually fast lithium-ion transport

Researchers have developed a novel class of nanotube membranes that enable ultrafast ion transport. The findings open new pathways for high-efficiency clean energy generation, lithium recovery and molecular separation.

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / Faster aptamer screening finds synthetic alternatives to antibodies in days instead of months

Aptamers are short DNA or RNA strands that can recognize and bind to a specific target molecule with high precision. Similar to antibodies, they can be used to detect these molecules or modulate their activity. Unlike antibodies, ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / Novel generative AI model enables atomic-scale prediction of protein-protein interactions

Proteins are the molecular workhorses of the human body. They perform a vast range of essential functions, from building tissues and transporting molecules to regulating cellular communication and defending against infection. ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / AI-designed protein unlocks virus-like shells that could reshape vaccine and drug delivery

An international research team led by a Korean scientist has succeeded in designing large-scale protein structures that faithfully replicate the self-assembly principles found in naturally occurring viruses, using artificial ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / Infrared navigation lets magnetic nanorobots deliver drugs with real-time precision tracking

Nanorobots have shown great promise in precision medicine over the past few decades. Yet one key challenge remains: how to track and guide these tiny devices in real time as they move through complex physiological environments. ...

Jun 20, 2026
Phys.org / The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say

Need some good news on a Friday after a long week? The Earth may not be engulfed by the expanding fireball of the dying sun, which has long been assumed to be our home planet's ultimate fate, according to scientists.

Jun 19, 2026
Phys.org / Bullet Cluster observations reopen dark matter debate with MOND-compatible explanation

The Bullet Cluster has so far been considered evidence of the existence of dark matter. An international team of researchers has now analyzed new data and current images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). According ...

Jun 19, 2026
Phys.org / New JWST images of abnormally well-developed galaxy cluster open up the 'cosmic noon' frontier

A stunningly concentrated and hefty galaxy cluster, from a time in the universe's history when such massive structures aren't expected to have fully formed yet, is challenging cosmic evolution theories. Across a series of ...

Jun 19, 2026