Phys.org news
Phys.org / AI tool observes solar active regions to advance warnings of space weather
New research by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF-NCAR) has developed a new tool providing a first step toward the ability to forecast ...
Phys.org / Why some objects in space look like snowmen: Gravitational collapse may shed light on contact binaries
Astronomers have long debated why so many icy objects in the outer solar system look like snowmen. Michigan State University researchers now have evidence of the surprisingly simple process that could be responsible for their ...
Phys.org / Webb maps the mysterious upper atmosphere of Uranus
For the first time, an international team of astronomers have mapped the vertical structure of Uranus's upper atmosphere, uncovering how temperature and charged particles vary with height across the planet. Using Webb's NIRSpec ...
Phys.org / Lab-in-the-loop framework enables rapid evolution of complex multi-mutant proteins
The search space for protein engineering grows exponentially with complexity. A protein of just 100 amino acids has 20100 possible variants—more combinations than atoms in the observable universe. Traditional engineering ...
Phys.org / Flickering glacial climate may have shaped early human evolution
Researchers have identified a "tipping point" about 2.7 million years ago when global climate conditions switched from being relatively warm and stable to cold and chaotic, as continental ice sheets expanded in the Northern ...
Phys.org / New AI framework reveals chemistry driving high-conductivity lithium-ion electrolytes
A new artificial intelligence framework developed at Cornell can accurately predict the performance of battery electrolytes while revealing the chemical principles that govern them, providing engineers with a new tool for ...
Phys.org / Social pressure forces baby clownfish to lose their bars faster, study shows
Growing up, you probably changed your style based on your social influences. It turns out, such pressures affect the appearance of young clownfish (anemonefish) too. A new study from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology ...
Phys.org / Transistor-like MXene membranes enhance ion separation
By applying voltage to electrically control a new "transistor" membrane, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) achieved real-time tuning of ion separations—a capability previously thought impossible. ...
Phys.org / Expands the genetic alphabet: Artificial DNA base pair uses halogen bonds to form stable structures
For the first time, researchers have succeeded in developing an artificial DNA base pair that is based on a different chemical force than natural genetic material. While the common natural DNA building blocks are held together ...
Phys.org / Uncovering evolution at the center of cell division
Centromeres play virtually the same central role across the entire tree of life: They ensure the faithful segregation of chromosomes during cell division. Yet the striking diversity in centromere architecture—from large, ...
Phys.org / Stronger scents and healthier crops: Unlocking plants' hidden potential through precision gene editing
Scientists have long sought to understand why some plants are fragrant powerhouses while others remain subtle. Now, a research team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has cracked a genetic "bottleneck," using precision ...
Phys.org / A new method to decode how DNA 'switches' control gene activity
DNA is the blueprint of life. Genes encode proteins and serve as the body's basic components. However, building a functioning organism also requires precise instructions about when, where, and how much those components should ...
