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 / 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
Phys.org / First 3D map reveals hidden thermal structure of nearby interstellar medium

Astronomers have built the first three-dimensional map of gas temperature in the space surrounding our solar system, revealing a far messier and more dynamic picture than current models predict. The study was submitted to ...

Jul 29, 2026
Phys.org / An ancient civilization of millions once flourished in the Amazon

New research conducted using airborne laser scanning reveals that a multicultural civilization that flourished in southwestern Amazonia between 600 BCE and 850 CE was home to millions of people. Spanning roughly 183,000 square ...

Jul 29, 2026
Phys.org / Monkey friendships with dogs, deer and even pigs offer clues to the evolutionary origins of pet-keeping

Why do humans keep pets? A new international study suggests that some of the behavioral foundations of human-animal companionship may have much deeper evolutionary roots than previously thought.

Jul 29, 2026
Phys.org / 2D quantum memory device reaches single-electron limit of information storage

Most electronic memory storage devices require the ability to trap large numbers of electrons for each bit of memory. In an ideal world, however, it would take only one electron. This would reduce space requirements and power ...

Jul 29, 2026