Phys.org news

Phys.org / Light-powered propulsion expands space exploration possibilities

Reaching the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, would take hundreds of thousands of years using current rocket propulsion technology. Researchers in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Engineered soil bacterial protein kills colorectal cancer cells by targeting their mitochondria

Researchers at Umeå University have turned a protein from soil bacteria into a potential new weapon against colorectal cancer. Their study published in Cell Death Discovery shows how an engineered bacterial protein can trigger ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Promiscuity and parental behavior in birds are driven by demographics, not the other way around

New research shows that variation in mating behaviors, parental care and differences in ornamentation of the sexes in bird species is driven by demographics rather than vice versa. An international team of researchers from ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Quantum simulations that bypass resolution limits offer insights into high-temperature superconductivity

A new method developed at LMU overcomes fundamental resolution limits and may provide insights into high-temperature superconductivity. Physicist Dr. Sebastian Paeckel has developed a method that can be used to calculate ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Tiny satellites face big data limits: How foldable antennas could change CubeSat missions

An origami-inspired reflectarray antenna developed by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo enables CubeSats to achieve high antenna gain while fitting within the tight size constraints of small satellites. Weighing just ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / The 'resource curse': Why natural resource abundance can be a double-edged sword

Natural resources—such as fossil fuels, water, and minerals—are materials found in the environment that are essential for life and highly utilized in production. Though these resources are viewed as essential to economic ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / New technology helps flat-faced dogs breathe easy

Australian scientists have developed an injectable therapy that helps clear blocked airways in flat-faced dogs. Melbourne-based biotechnology company Snoretox and RMIT University have shown early success using the first therapy ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Q&A: Scientists decode the logic behind cells' mysterious protein stockpiles

As far as research subjects go, it's not always easy to find common ground with a single-celled bacterium. Yet the more Paul Wiggins studies his model bacteria, Acinetobacter baylyi, the more he sees surprising commonalities ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / AI for molecular simulations may not need built-in physics to deliver strong results

Simulating how atoms and molecules move over time is a central challenge in computational chemistry and materials science. Classical machine learning approaches to molecular dynamics (MD) encode fundamental physical principles ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Plants can sense the sound of rain, new study finds

The next time you find yourself lulled by the patter of rain outside your window, think how that same sprinkle might sound if you were a tiny seed planted directly below a free-falling droplet. Would you still be similarly ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Elusive tularemia proteins reveal possible treatment target in rare tick-borne disease

Tularemia is a rare but highly infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that can evade immune defenses. Symptoms of infection can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and—in some cases—pneumonia. What ...

Apr 22, 2026
Phys.org / Turning vibrations into value—a new catalyst converts CO₂ into useful CO

Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a catalyst that uses vibrational energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO), an important industrial feedstock. The work, published in the Journal ...

Apr 22, 2026