Phys.org news

Phys.org / Evolutionary process behind live birth in lizards uncovered

Scientists studying one of nature's greatest reproductive innovations have discovered how some lizards evolved from laying eggs to giving birth to live young. The new research is the first to reveal the evolutionary process ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Too much RNA can starve cells of energy, study finds

A new study from researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has uncovered a previously unknown consequence of viral infection: Too much RNA inside a cell can disrupt its ability ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Were Denisovans tall compared to other ancient humans? We should be skeptical

Take a walk in London's Trafalgar Square this summer, and people of all body sizes—some tall, some short—will be wilting in the heat: a real mix of sizes.

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Supramolecular nanofibers paired with nanohole substrate improve exciton transport in organic solid

Self-assembling, anthracene-based supramolecular nanofibers can enable excitons to migrate hundreds of nanometers, according to a new experimental finding by researchers at Science Tokyo. Coupling these nanofibers with a ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Search in strange quark sector reveals new particle possibilities

Despite science's best efforts to classify the vast menagerie of subatomic particles discovered over the past few decades, some exotic varieties defy explanation. Now, nuclear physicists at the U.S. Department of Energy's ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Foreign tariffs made U.S. whiskey cheaper... depending on where you live

A new study finds that one side effect of Trump-era trade wars has been cheaper whiskey in much of the United States. But if you live in whiskey hubs Kentucky or Tennessee, your prices actually went up.

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / A viral 'loose cannon' enzyme helps phages shut down bacterial defenses

As antimicrobial resistance grows around the world, novel therapies to counter it become increasingly important. Phages—viruses that infect bacteria—are an exciting avenue of research in this regard, providing a means to ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / 'Disarming' discovery could help scientists fight deadly fungal infections

Researchers from Monash University, in collaboration with the University of Warwick, have discovered how the bacterial antibiotic "gladiolin" can disarm Candida albicans, one of the leading causes of life-threatening fungal ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / AI prompts offer a new tool for mapping how emotion concepts relate

How similar are "joy" and "surprise"? Conversely, how far apart are "joy" and "sadness"? We naturally organize words that express emotions—such as "happy," "afraid," and "angry"—according to similarities and differences in ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / 'Ecology of fear' can dramatically change the behavior of blue mussels

For a blue mussel, a good meal does not come entirely without risk. Blue mussels feed by filtering microscopic algae from seawater. But some unwelcome guests can slip in along with their food. Tiny parasite larvae can hitch ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Rye reference genome uncovers diversity that could strengthen wheat breeding

Rye is not only a hardy and high-yielding crop, but also possesses a valuable gene pool for wheat breeding. An international research team led by the IPK Leibniz Institute has significantly improved the foundations for research ...

Aug 19, 2026
Phys.org / Beijing's isoprene-emitting trees highlight ozone risks in greener, hotter cities

Amid current heat waves, urban greening is once again moving to the center of public debate. Greener cities are generally expected to have cleaner air because trees capture airborne particles, absorb gaseous pollutants and ...

Aug 19, 2026