Phys.org news
Phys.org / Water molecules found to actively drive gene transcription process
Researchers have uncovered a previously hidden layer of complexity in how genes are activated, showing that water molecules play a direct and essential role in one of the most fundamental processes in biology: DNA transcription.
Phys.org / Compound in ginger and turmeric may disarm drug-resistant bacteria
Every year, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as staph, causes serious infections and outbreaks in hospitals and community settings, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including ...
Phys.org / Light unlocks full polarization control at ultrafast speeds, reshaping photonics
Scientists at Heriot‑Watt University have demonstrated in a world-first, that light can be used to control every aspect of how electromagnetic waves oscillate, opening new technological frontiers. Researchers working in photonics, ...
Phys.org / Human cell map uncovers 90,000 interactions among 4 million gene pairs
How do our genes determine our appearance and our susceptibility to disease? This question is central to biomedical research, and today we can sequence thousands of human genomes to identify these genes. However, genes work ...
Phys.org / A hidden food boom across Central Africa is pushing wildlife and rural diets toward a precarious edge
The total annual biomass of wild meat consumed across Central Africa has increased from an estimated 0.73 million metric tons in 2000 to 1.10 million metric tons in 2022. This increase is threatening wildlife populations ...
Phys.org / Twisting water reveals hidden order across four molecular layers at air-water interface
Researchers from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute and Freie Universität Berlin have revealed the arrangement of water molecules at the interface between liquid water and air. Their findings ...
Phys.org / Buried in soil, a 100-million-year-old bacterial toxin could reshape pest control and antibiotic discovery
In every backyard, park, and playground on Earth, the ground is teeming with a type of bacteria called Streptomyces—one of the most abundant organisms on the planet. While these dirt-dwelling microbes are known for producing ...
Phys.org / LHAASO discovers new extreme particle accelerator in the Milky Way
The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) has made a breakthrough in exploring the extreme universe. For the first time, the LHAASO collaboration has detected ultra-high-energy (UHE) gamma rays—with energies ...
Phys.org / How mass extinctions helped termites become essential engineers of today's tropical ecosystems
Tropical ecosystems rely on the infrastructure provided by termites. These insects supply plants with vital nutrients by breaking down organic waste, bringing water to the roots by aerating the soil through tunneling, and ...
Phys.org / CRISPR speed patterns can identify multiple viruses and variants simultaneously
As the spread of infectious diseases accelerates, technologies that can accurately distinguish multiple viruses in a single test are becoming increasingly important. KAIST and an international research team have developed ...
Phys.org / Tiny fossil shells hold two chemical signals that could skew past ocean temperatures
Tiny plankton shells used to reconstruct past polar ocean temperatures may contain two different chemical stories, a new study by iC3 researchers has found. The work shows that Neogloboquadrina pachyderma, a key species in ...
Phys.org / Heat and cold alter how animals fight disease. As the climate changes, this knowledge may be vital
Each animal species has an optimal temperature at which it can metabolize food and its immune system can best fight off pathogens.