Phys.org news

Phys.org / Parents' heat warning songs may prime zebra finch chicks for heat before they hatch

Sealed within an eggshell, how can chicks prepare for the world into which they are about to hatch, with no obvious direct communication channel across the shell? Adult zebra finches produce distinctive high-pitched warning ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Why shame is an evolution-based defense mechanism

It is unpleasant, strange and often comes as a surprise: shame. But why do we feel it? An international study has shed new light on the emotion of shame, which has long been considered harmful. The conclusion: Shame is not ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Chemists snap together complex 3D molecules from highly reactive 'radicals'—without losing their shape

Building the complex 3D molecules needed for new medicines has always been a bit like assembling a puzzle with pieces that keep trying to flip over. Now, chemists at Scripps Research have found a way to snap two such molecular ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / How bacteria use acetyl coenzyme as a building block in the formation of cells

Researchers at the University of Greifswald have discovered a new mechanism by which bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis can regulate the production of the central metabolic molecule acetyl coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA). Acetyl-CoA, ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / New art test could help museums spot fake Van Goghs without touching paintings

A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties introduces a pioneering, noninvasive technique that can distinguish authentic artworks from forgeries, offering museums, collectors, ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Ocean glow meets 3D printing with living gels that sense mechanical force

The integration of biological organisms into synthetic structures offers a radical new pathway for developing intelligent, self-powered materials. Researchers have pioneered an innovative approach to biomanufacturing by using ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Salmonella genomes reveal 45 previously unknown toxins in foodborne bacteria

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have discovered 45 new toxins produced by Salmonella bacteria, some of which are associated with foodborne infections. The study was conducted at the Center for Research ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Even weak ocean models can provide valuable information for environmental forecasts, study shows

Oxygen depletion in the western Baltic Sea is not uncommon. Oxygen-poor conditions regularly occur in deeper waters, placing stress on marine ecosystems and, in extreme cases, causing fish kills. As ocean temperatures continue ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Would you return a favor? Scientists say it depends on the relationship

When a friend buys you a cup of coffee, it's likely that next time, you'll return the gesture. This type of reciprocal generosity has been well-documented in behavioral economics studies. However, anthropologists and other ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Why animal calls sound alike in time: Most species share a common communication tempo

From insects to great apes, by way of birds and fish, animals communicate through an extraordinary variety of sounds. While the pitch or timbre of their vocalizations matters, rhythm may play a more fundamental role. Scientists ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Cyclone Gabrielle-style storms may unleash tens of thousands more North Island landslides

In 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle triggered an estimated 800,000 landslides across the North Island, making it one of the most extreme landslide events ever recorded. New research by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury ...

Jun 11, 2026
Phys.org / Novel nanowire device offers rapid, noninvasive cancer detection

A research team in Japan has developed an efficient, minimally invasive cancer detection device that uses high-performance zinc oxide nanowires to selectively capture extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bodily fluids.

Jun 11, 2026