Phys.org news

Phys.org / Redistributing sunlight boosts algae biomass productivity sixfold

Algae are increasingly being explored as sustainable "living factories" that can convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into renewable fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other valuable products.

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Your shampoo routine could be driving household water waste, new study says

Everyday shower habits, such as applying shampoo or pausing the water while washing, are driving up water waste, argues a new study from the University of Surrey.

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Amazonian 'zombie' fungus harbors a hidden stage inside forest mosses, new study reveals

A team led by researchers at the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), in Manaus, has found evidence that the "zombie-ant" fungus (genus Ophiocordyceps), known worldwide for controlling ant behavior and forcing ...

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Chicken kidney sponge could be 'outstanding' at cleaning up polluted ports

Ports rank among the most disturbed marine environments. Pollutants like trash, oil and toxins from antifouling paints tend to accumulate in enclosed harbors. Invasive species arriving in ballast water may displace native ...

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Meet the astronomer digging into the Milky Way's 'fossils'

Amina Helmi's passion for the Milky Way is clear as soon as one steps into her small office at the University of Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands.

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Climate change increases wildfire risks in Yosemite and other national parks

New UC Berkeley-led research indicates that continued climate change could severely increase wildfire above natural levels in Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Lassen Volcanic national parks.

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / From single projection to many possibilities: A new tool for climate risk assessment

Assessing how climate change will affect different regions usually requires running a complex chain of models. While this approach provides valuable insights, it is expensive and can cover only a limited set of scenarios ...

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Does misinformation on Facebook and Instagram change what you believe?

For years, social media companies have faced pressure from users and government watchdogs to stop misinformation from distorting elections, deepening political divisions and undermining Americans' trust in institutions. But ...

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / ATPγS recycling opens cheaper pathways to increased drug stability

Pharmaceutical drugs often rely on chemical compounds found in the body. Take phosphate, a common compound cells use as a chemical switch. In a process called phosphorylation, cells can add a phosphate to a molecule and turn ...

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Tiny sugar chains act as brakes to control calcium and sodium flow in lysosomes

Lysosomes are small compartments inside cells that break down and recycle biological materials. Once regarded mainly as cellular waste-disposal centers, lysosomes are now understood to be important signaling hubs for calcium ...

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / Research finds exposure to 'untrustworthy' social media is rare, the fine print is less reassuring

How much of what you see on social media comes from sources that repeatedly post falsehoods? And if that content quietly vanished from your feed, would you believe anything different months later?

Jul 30, 2026
Phys.org / New twist on the Einstein problem reveals unexpected physics

A shape that captured worldwide attention for solving a decades-old mathematical puzzle has returned to the spotlight. While the shape's properties allowed it to solve previous puzzles, little is known about its other associated ...

Jul 29, 2026