Phys.org news

Phys.org / Copper-carrying compound targets and kills MRSA bacteria by mimicking iron

A research team at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson is developing a drug that works in combination with copper to kill bacteria, including those that cause MRSA, a type of staph infection that is resistant ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Stress-reduction molecule has potential to treat aging and metabolic disorders

University of Queensland researchers say the discovery of a new stress reduction role for a naturally occurring molecule in the body could lead to new drugs and treatment for metabolic disorders and aging.

Jan 22, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Rainfall–salinity link sustains prolonged La Niña events, study reveals

La Niña—a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually cool sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean—can persist for multiple years, exerting significant climate impacts worldwide. ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / 2D topological crystalline insulator turns decade-old prediction into reality

Physicists from University of Jyväskylä and Aalto University (Finland) have experimentally realized a two-dimensional topological crystalline insulator. This is a quantum material that has been theoretically predicted for ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Aging zoo animals threaten long-term species conservation goals

Many mammal populations in European and North American zoos are aging—a trend that jeopardizes the long-term viability of so-called reserve populations and, with it, a core mission of modern zoos in global species conservation. ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / AI method advances customized enzyme design

Enzymes with specific functions are becoming increasingly important in industry, medicine and environmental protection. For example, they make it possible to synthesize chemicals in a more environmentally friendly way, produce ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Humans use local dialects to communicate with honeyguide birds, research shows

Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT), working with international collaborators, have shown that people in northern Mozambique use regionally distinct "dialects" when communicating with honeyguide birds, revealing ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Increased soil salinity alters global inorganic carbon storage, finds study

A new global study shows that increasing soil salinity is systematically reshaping the storage and distribution of soil inorganic carbon (SIC), a key but often-overlooked part of terrestrial ecosystems. The findings, published ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / 3D-printed surfaces help atoms play ball to improve quantum sensors

Scientists have created 3D printed surfaces featuring intricate textures that can be used to bounce unwanted gas particles away from quantum sensors, allowing useful particles like atoms to be delivered more efficiently, ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Evidence of 'lightning-fast' evolution found after Chicxulub impact

The asteroid that struck the Earth 66 million years ago devastated life across the planet, wiping out the dinosaurs and other organisms in a hail of fire and catastrophic climate change. But new research shows that it also ...

Jan 22, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Expanding existing mines poses overlooked long-term environmental and social risks

Mining companies worldwide are expanding mineral extraction at existing mines, as the rate of opening new sites slows, to meet global demand driven mainly by the need for clean energy infrastructure.

Jan 22, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / Living walls boost biodiversity by providing safe spaces for urban wildlife

Living walls—structures housing flowers and plants fitted to the outside of new and old buildings—can significantly enhance the biodiversity within urban environments, a new study has shown.

Jan 22, 2026 in Biology