Phys.org news
Phys.org / Artificial metabolism turns waste CO₂ into useful chemicals
In a breakthrough that defies nature, Northwestern University and Stanford University synthetic biologists have created a new artificial metabolism that transforms waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful biological building ...
Phys.org / Ancient sea anemone sheds light on animal cell type evolution
One of the biggest quests in biology is understanding how every cell in an animal's body carries an identical genome yet still gives rise to a kaleidoscope of different cell types and tissues. A neuron doesn't look nor behave ...
Phys.org / How does Santa do it all? Quantum physics, that's how, says scientist
Every year, Santa Claus races around the globe in a matter of hours to bring presents to children all over the world.
Phys.org / PFAS concentrations can double with every step up the food chain
A new UNSW-led global meta-analysis shows that PFAS concentrations can double at every step up the food chain, leaving top predators—and humans—potentially exposed to higher chemical loads.
Phys.org / New technique lights up where drugs go in the body, cell by cell
When you take a drug, where in your body does it actually go? For most medications, scientists can make only educated guesses about the answer to this question. Traditional methods can measure the concentration of a drug ...
Phys.org / Supermassive black holes show selective feeding habits during galaxy mergers
Black holes are notorious for gobbling up everything that comes their way, but astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have discovered that even supermassive black holes can be picky eaters, ...
Phys.org / Nanoplastics have diet-dependent impacts on digestive system health, study finds
Plastics are not inert: they gradually break into fragments over time, forming micro- and then nanoplastics (i.e., particles
Phys.org / Vast freshwater reserves found beneath salinity-stressed coastal Bangladesh
Despite its tropical climate and floodplain location, Bangladesh—one of the world's most densely populated nations—seasonally does not have enough freshwater, especially in coastal areas. Shallow groundwater is often ...
Phys.org / Leaves' pores explain longstanding mystery of uneven tree growth in a carbon-enriched world
The basics of photosynthesis are something that every student learns in school: carbon dioxide, water and light in; oxygen and sugar for growth out. In a world where atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are rising, it is plausible ...
Phys.org / East Antarctic Ice Sheet's history tells a relevant story for today and beyond
Though ice sheet melting is widely talked of and debated, there is limited knowledge about what happens after the period of melting. Researchers dig into this "after" period and see how it relates to previous patterns.
Phys.org / Predictive 'mismatch' leads to novel carbon capture method
When experimental results don't match scientists' predictions, it's usually assumed that the predictions were wrong. But new research into materials that pull carbon dioxide directly from the air shows how such mismatches ...
Phys.org / What contributed to the success of termites? Their genomes provide the answer
The most comprehensive dataset of termite genomes to date was created by an international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The team sequenced 45 termite genomes ...