Phys.org news

Phys.org / Heat-tolerant corals may be more vulnerable to disease

Corals that partner with heat-tolerant algae may be better equipped to survive warming oceans—but that resilience comes with an unexpected trade-off, according to a new study from Boston University published in Science Advances.

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Beyond the Petri dish: Testing tomorrow's drugs in human blood

The COVID vaccine is perhaps the first thing many people think of when they hear about mRNA-based drugs. Small packages of genetic material are sent into the body, prompting cells to produce useful proteins in the fight against ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Planting fake customer reviews hurts businesses big time, study finds

The capital of any business comes in (at least) two categories. There's the kind that has a price—land, cash holdings, etc.—and a less tangible, priceless kind. Reputational capital falls squarely into the latter category. ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Using AI to thwart election misinformation

Election rumors, such as unverified accounts of voter fraud, have run rampant in the U.S. in recent years. Powered by the speed of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), it can be hard for people to know what messages ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Species discoveries reveal emerging biodiversity hotspots worldwide

We share our planet with millions of plants and animals. This variety of life is known as biodiversity, a term encompassing everything from microscopic genes to entire ecosystems, such as deserts and vibrant coral reefs.

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / 'Like uprooting tree stumps'—pulling nanoscale anchors creates tiny pores that could speed biosensor manufacturing

A new manufacturing method could help move the production of nanoscale sensors from specialized fabrication facilities to conventional semiconductor manufacturing plants.Publishing in Science Advances, researchers from KTH ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Cellular 'glue' helps epithelial tissues engulf dead cells while staying sealed

A protein that sticks cells and tissues together has been found to have a surprising second job: helping cells that are packed into a continuous sealed layer, also known as epithelial cells, engulf nearby dead cells.

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Emperor penguin colonies reveal decades-long resilience and flexible breeding sites

With their charming waddles, heat-conserving huddles and tuxedo-like plumage, emperor penguins are among the world's most recognizable animals. Recent satellite surveys estimate that hundreds of thousands of the flightless ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Geomimicry offers a new framework for engineering sustainable materials

When engineers look to nature for inspiration, they often turn to living systems. The flight of birds has influenced aircraft design, gecko feet inspired new adhesives and lotus leaves led to the development of self-cleaning ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / When the dust settles: Field experiments measure how everyday activity resuspends hazardous particles

Being prepared for an emergency is key to keeping people safe. This means more than just having supplies such as food, water and first-aid kits. Sometimes, the most important preparation is having the right data to help first ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Fleeting sugar pairs may help curb abnormal cell-growth signals

Acting as armor, a scaffold and a communication platform in one, our cells' plasma membrane lies at the heart of many crucial cellular processes. Traditionally, it has been thought to function through interactions among its ...

Aug 27, 2026
Phys.org / Virtual cell model could accelerate protein-degrader therapy design

A team of Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has developed a computer model that will help scientists more efficiently develop protein-destroying therapies, a newer type of treatment that is particularly promising for cancer. ...

Aug 27, 2026