Phys.org news

Phys.org / The largest digital camera ever built begins decade-long survey of the universe

The largest digital camera ever built is starting to capture images of unseen corners of the universe.

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / Mice actively seek better views to make visual decisions, virtual reality experiments show

Animals don't experience the world passively. A hawk tilts its head to track prey. A person leans forward to read a sign. Scientists call this "active sensing": moving the body to gather better information. A specific version ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / Computer scientists develop a new AI tool that rivals AlphaFold 3 in mapping RNA

The same family of artificial intelligence that powers today's image generators is now being aimed at one of biology's hardest puzzles: the ever-changing, three-dimensional shapes of RNA. These are the molecules behind mRNA ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / Gut parasite alters honey bee smell as infection progresses, potentially changing hive behavior

Honey bees infected with a gut parasite smell different, which could allow bee colonies to detect disease and influence behavior inside the hive, new research finds.

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / 'Atomic zoom' brings gum disease bacteria into sharp focus

The technology at the center of the growing "resolution revolution" has again shown its value to scientists at Yale by revealing the secrets of gum disease.

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / Industrial-era pollution and warming reshape Tibetan lake after 1,000 years of climate swings

The Tibetan Plateau, together with the Hindu Kush–Karakorum–Himalaya region, has more snow and ice than any other region on Earth apart from the polar regions. As a result, this high-altitude region is particularly sensitive ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / Why some wolves react more strongly to trespassers: Breeders may hold key to scent-based barriers

Wolves use their urine to communicate with each other. A recent study looked at the reactions of a pack to the marking of an intruder. This is a first step toward understanding what attracts or repels canids.

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / Rice grown on the moon? Air-to-fertilizer technology helps rice grow in lunar soil simulant

Securing sustainable food supplies is a key challenge for long-term human exploration and potential habitation of the moon. The moon's soil contains no organic material, and essential plant nitrogen sources like ammonia and ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / New research reveals the motivations and tactics used by call center fraudsters

A new study led by the University of Portsmouth lifts the lid on the tactics used by call center fraudsters in India, while revealing the shocking scale of the industry within the country. Published in the Journal of White ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / 3D genome analysis of germ cell formation tracks 350 million years of vertebrate evolution

A research team led by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has revealed how the genome is reorganized in 3D during male germ cell formation in vertebrates, leading to important new insights into how biodiversity is ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / The little red galaxies that may be sending us neutrinos

Peering far into the distant, high-redshift universe, the James Webb telescope has discovered an abundance of small red galaxies known as the Little Red Dots. From their observations, astronomers believe that at least some ...

Jun 30, 2026
Phys.org / A severe El Niño could threaten something essential to half of humanity—rice

Forecasters expect the El Niño now underway in the tropical Pacific to strengthen into a strong or very strong climate driver later this year.

Jun 30, 2026