Phys.org news

Phys.org / Lab-in-the-loop framework enables rapid evolution of complex multi-mutant proteins

The search space for protein engineering grows exponentially with complexity. A protein of just 100 amino acids has 20100 possible variants—more combinations than atoms in the observable universe. Traditional engineering ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / AI tool observes solar active regions to advance warnings of space weather

New research by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the National Science Foundation's National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF-NCAR) has developed a new tool providing a first step toward the ability to forecast ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Largest ever radio sky survey maps the universe in unprecedented detail

An international collaboration using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) has published an exceptionally detailed radio sky map, revealing 13.7 million cosmic sources and delivering the most complete census yet of actively growing ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Astronomy & Space
Phys.org / Flickering glacial climate may have shaped early human evolution

Researchers have identified a "tipping point" about 2.7 million years ago when global climate conditions switched from being relatively warm and stable to cold and chaotic, as continental ice sheets expanded in the Northern ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / New AI framework reveals chemistry driving high-conductivity lithium-ion electrolytes

A new artificial intelligence framework developed at Cornell can accurately predict the performance of battery electrolytes while revealing the chemical principles that govern them, providing engineers with a new tool for ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Novel bacteria discovered in Florida's stranded pygmy sperm whales

Pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) are among the ocean's most enigmatic inhabitants—rarely seen and largely unstudied. They live far offshore in small groups, diving in search of squid and fish. Their quiet behavior and ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Particles don't always go with the flow (and why that matters)

It is commonly assumed that tiny particles just go with the flow as they make their way through soil, biological tissue, and other complex materials. But a team of Yale researchers led by Professor Amir Pahlavan shows that ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Social pressure forces baby clownfish to lose their bars faster, study shows

Growing up, you probably changed your style based on your social influences. It turns out, such pressures affect the appearance of young clownfish (anemonefish) too. A new study from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Global study finds smaller fish and shifting food webs despite stable species numbers

Species numbers alone do not fully capture how ecosystems are changing. In a global study, scientists analyzed long-term data from nearly 15,000 marine and freshwater fish communities. They found that fish food webs have ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Uncovering evolution at the center of cell division

Centromeres play virtually the same central role across the entire tree of life: They ensure the faithful segregation of chromosomes during cell division. Yet the striking diversity in centromere architecture—from large, ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Stronger scents and healthier crops: Unlocking plants' hidden potential through precision gene editing

Scientists have long sought to understand why some plants are fragrant powerhouses while others remain subtle. Now, a research team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has cracked a genetic "bottleneck," using precision ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Transistor-like MXene membranes enhance ion separation

By applying voltage to electrically control a new "transistor" membrane, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) achieved real-time tuning of ion separations—a capability previously thought impossible. ...

Feb 19, 2026 in Nanotechnology