Phys.org news
Phys.org / What keeps centrioles together: NuSAP's newly mapped role in centrosome integrity
Biologists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have uncovered how the protein NuSAP safeguards tiny structures inside cells called centrioles, revealing a mechanism linked to developmental disorders such as microcephaly ...
Phys.org / Musicality is rooted in human biology, not just culture, says professor
Humans are fundamentally "musical animals"—and our capacity for music is rooted in biology, not just culture. This is the conclusion of new work by University of Amsterdam professor of Music Cognition Henkjan Honing. In ...
Phys.org / Musicologists map medieval chant tropes to 9th-century political borders
The spread of a particular genre of music reflects the borders between medieval empires in Europe. This is shown by a study conducted by a musicologist at the University of Würzburg, appearing in Transactions of the International ...
Phys.org / The 'croak' conundrum: Parasites complicate love signals in frogs
Across the animal kingdom, sound is more than communication—it's a signal of survival and success. From birds and primates to insects, fish, and amphibians, animals broadcast acoustic "advertisements" to defend territory, ...
Phys.org / Capsule technology opens new window into individual cells
Researchers have developed a capsule-based method that makes it possible to analyze the same cell through multiple experimental steps. The technology overcomes a long-standing limitation in cell research and could open new ...
Phys.org / Ancient DNA sequences that control gene function across plant evolution uncovered
A study has traced thousands of conserved regulatory elements back 300 million years, revealing deep principles of plant genome evolution—a discovery that could pave the way for more precise engineering of crop traits.
Phys.org / A familiar voice shapes how zebra finches hear and respond
Conversations with friends have an ease that is hard to replicate with someone you have just met—often replies come more naturally and timing just seems to click. A strikingly similar pattern plays out in zebra finches, ...
Phys.org / Self-regenerating catalyst restores its own performance, advancing CO₂ conversion technology
Technologies that convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted from factories and power plants into useful chemical feedstocks are considered key to achieving carbon neutrality. However, rapid degradation of catalyst performance ...
Phys.org / Astronomers discuss fortifying our planetary defenses
When people think of asteroids, they tend to picture rare, civilization-ending impacts like those depicted in movies such as "Armageddon." In reality, the asteroids most likely to affect modern society are much smaller. While ...
Phys.org / Uncovering a patchwork of fresh and salty groundwater beneath Great Salt Lake's south shore
Thanks to upstream diversions and climate change, Utah's Great Salt Lake has shrunk by 70% since 1989, exposing about 800 square miles of playa and mudflats—along with numerous curiosities. While a potential environmental ...
Phys.org / A common hydrogel may be built differently than assumed, with big implications for mechanics
A study led by Northwestern University researchers has reported a way to observe hydrogel nano and microstructure while the hydrogel remains fully solvated. The approach reveals that methylcellulose, one of the most widely ...
Phys.org / The power of twins: Decoding the unseen biological information flow
The natural world is a rich source of inspiration for developing sophisticated computational systems, and the opposite is also true, with bioinformatics approaches providing keen insight into biological processes. However, ...