Phys.org news

Phys.org / Low-cost sensor system could warn farmers of salt stress in plants

Soil salinity is a critical concern in agriculture when excessive soluble salts restrict a plant's water uptake, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hindering crop growth and reducing yields on roughly 30% of ...

22 hours ago
Phys.org / Stabilized hybrid photocatalyst boosts artificial photosynthesis efficiency

A hybrid photocatalyst system from Science Tokyo tackles an overlooked flaw in artificial photosynthesis to dramatically improve CO2-to-formate conversion. Unlike conventional designs where light degrades the molecular catalyst, ...

21 hours ago
Phys.org / Scalable flow chemistry speeds deuteration of fatty acids with tunable isotope selectivity

The National Deuteration Facility has developed a capability to use a flow chemistry process to increase efficiency, increase production capacity and reduce decomposition in the synthesis of deuterated molecules.

21 hours ago
Phys.org / Bioelectronic platform enables precise H₂S delivery to cells, turning a toxic gas into a therapeutic tool

A toxic gas known for its "rotten egg smell" has been transformed into a therapeutic tool. A research team at KAIST has developed a technology to precisely control hydrogen sulfide (H2S) using electrical signals, bringing ...

23 hours ago
Phys.org / Unusual signal may prove existence of primordial black holes

It may well take years to prove, but a pair of University of Miami astrophysicists could be on the verge of a cosmic breakthrough that will confirm the existence of primordial black holes and the role they play in one of ...

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / Uncovering the evolutionary limits of the COVID-19 virus

A new paper in Genome Biology and Evolution, indicates that while the COVID-19 virus has developed rapidly since 2019, it has done so within limited genetic channels. These genetic limits have remained unchanged. Despite ...

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / It's go time: historic Moon mission set for lift-off

More than half a century after the groundbreaking Apollo program's last crewed flight to the moon, three men and one woman are preparing for a lunar journey set to turn a new page in American space exploration.

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / DNA origami precisely positions single-photon emitters for quantum technologies

An international research team led by scientists from Skoltech has developed a method to position molecules on the surface of ultrathin materials with unprecedented precision using molecular DNA self-assembly, enabling the ...

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / Polymer uses movable molecular rings to overcome durability–degradability trade-off

Modern polymer materials face a fundamental challenge: they must remain strong and durable during use, yet ideally degrade when they are no longer needed. Designing materials that satisfy both requirements has long been a ...

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / Combining algae and oyster shells for biodiesel born in the bayou

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel and offers a sustainable and potentially carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum products. Yet production costs remain a hurdle to its widespread use. Now, researchers have developed an inexpensive ...

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / Turning CO₂ into methanol: Multilayer machine learning speeds up search for better catalysts

Finding high-performing catalysts, which are used to accelerate processes from chemical manufacturing to energy production, can be a slow, expensive process, often relying on years of trial-and-error or massive computational ...

Mar 25, 2026
Phys.org / Genomes reveal five E. coli 'armor' types behind most multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections

The first large-scale genetic study of E. coli's protective armor has identified the five capsule types that are responsible for 70% of all multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections in Europe. Researchers, including those ...

Mar 25, 2026