Phys.org news

Phys.org / Bacterium hijacks fruit ripening program in citrus plants to steal sugars, research reveals

The bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas citri, which causes canker disease in citrus trees, activates selected parts of the fruit ripening program inside infected leaves. Normally, this program makes citrus fruits soften and sweeten ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / A delicate Antarctic balance with global climate implications

New findings about ocean processes in the Antarctic show melting ice shelves and changes to sea ice could have catastrophic implications for the global climate.

Dec 18, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / Improved tracer labeling expands PET imaging possibilities

Imagine being able to watch organs and tissues work in real time. That's the power of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, a technology that gives physicians and researchers a window into cellular processes.

Dec 18, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / 8th-century glass reveals earliest history of Venetian glassmaking

When we think of Venetian glass, our minds leap to the blazing furnaces of Murano, to delicate filigree and the vivid colors of the Renaissance. This iconic and universally recognized image tells only part of the story. For ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Rare earth elements: Of peptides and the origins of life

The group of rare earth elements (REEs) comprises a total of 17 elements, all of which possess similar chemical properties. In addition to the two lightest elements, scandium and yttrium, the group also includes lanthanum, ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Mitochondria migrate toward the cell membrane in response to high glucose levels, study shows

Unlike our organs, cell organelles such as mitochondria are not fixed in place, but when, where, how, and why organelles move remain unclear. Research published in the Biophysical Journal shows that when beta cells—the ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Biology
Phys.org / Deep ocean earthquakes drive Southern Ocean's massive phytoplankton blooms, study finds

Stanford researchers have uncovered evidence that deep underwater earthquakes can spur the growth of massive phytoplankton blooms at the ocean surface.

Dec 18, 2025 in Earth
Phys.org / Elegant solution for measuring ultrashort laser pulses discovered

Ultrashort laser pulses—that are shorter than a millionth of a millionth of a second—have transformed fundamental science, engineering and medicine. Despite this, their ultrashort duration has made them elusive and difficult ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Physics
Phys.org / Team shatters 3D nanofabrication limits with meta-optics

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) engineers and scientists, in collaboration with Stanford University, have demonstrated a breakthrough 3D nanofabrication approach that transforms two-photon lithography (TPL) ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Catch the Ursid meteor shower as it peaks just before Christmas

The last major meteor shower of the year, known as the Ursids, peaks soon, bringing glowing streaks to nighttime and early morning skies. Compared to other meteor showers, it's more subdued, but experts say it's still worth ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Super strain-resistant superconductors: Study narrows down the hidden symmetry

Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity with zero resistance, usually only at very low temperatures. Most superconductors behave according to well-established rules, but strontium ruthenate, Sr₂RuO₄, ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Physics
Phys.org / Common virus 'rewires' intracellular mechanisms to promote infection

Investigators from the laboratory of Derek Walsh, Ph.D., professor of Microbiology-Immunology, have discovered how human cytomegalovirus rewires intracellular mechanisms to control the movement of the cell nucleus, promoting ...

Dec 18, 2025 in Biology