Phys.org news
Phys.org / Atomic-column imaging uncovers hidden magnetic structures in antiferromagnets
Antiferromagnetic materials, with antiparallel atomic spins and zero net magnetization, are fast and resistant to external magnetic interference, making them ideal for high-speed, high-density spintronic devices. However, ...
Phys.org / Antibodies need a strong core—not just grip—to fight SARS-CoV-2
An international research team has identified a previously overlooked factor that influences how antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2: their mechanical stability under force. Antibodies are key components of the immune system ...
Phys.org / Low-cost method could standardize microplastic extraction from soils worldwide
A new "gold standard" for soil analysis and microplastic extraction has been developed at the University of New England (UNE), unlocking vital capabilities to safeguard agricultural soils and protect human health. Led by ...
Phys.org / Embryo epigenome follows universal physical rules, reshaping views of early cell fate
The development of an embryo is one of the most fundamental processes in biology. Early in this process, it is determined which cells will give rise to which tissues—controlled by epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. ...
Phys.org / Microbes sense neighbors and change jobs to reduce competition, offering clue to coexistence
New research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, published in Nature Microbiology, reveals that when microbes live together, they can sense one another and actively reduce competition by shifting toward different roles ...
Phys.org / Nanofiltration for cleaner water is stopping one of farming's most persistent chemicals from slipping through
Water is fundamental to all life—contaminants are harmful to humans and the environment. Herbicides used in agriculture to control weeds present a particular challenge here. The most widely used herbicide in the world is ...
Phys.org / Light-responsive hydrogels enable fast and precise control of soft materials
Researchers at Tampere University have recently demonstrated that light can be used to precisely reshape soft materials without mechanical contact. They have developed light-responsive hydrogel thin films that enable programmable ...
Phys.org / Single-molecule method rapidly screens custom enzymes from vast mutant libraries
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in living organisms. They are widely applied in industries such as food production, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. However, for commercial use, natural enzymes ...
Phys.org / Just a few species can drive a plant community's response to warming temperatures
A new analysis of experimental data led by the University of Michigan has unveiled insights into why and how plant communities are changing their makeup to survive in warmer temperatures. Thanks to field studies of plant ...
Phys.org / Molecular probe upgrade could make off-target drug effects easier to measure
A UCLA-led international research collaboration has unveiled a new technology that may help scientists better understand how small molecules, including many drugs, bind to proteins. The invention works with an existing lab ...
Phys.org / Western music is getting simpler and more repetitive by the day and data prove it
Ever had that moment when a song comes on and it feels strangely familiar, like it reminds you of another song that came out just a few months ago? If you feel this phenomenon has become more frequent, then you are not imagining ...
Phys.org / Where was your backyard millions of years ago?
An international team of Earth scientists led by Utrecht professor Douwe van Hinsbergen has developed an online tool that allows you to see, for any given location on Earth, what latitude it occupied in the distant past, ...
