Phys.org news

Phys.org / Landsat 9 captures Russia's restless Shiveluch volcano mid-eruption

Near-constant activity continues on the volcano in Russia. Shivelyuch (also called Shiveluch), the most northerly active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. On a near-daily ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / DNA-guided CRISPR flips gene editing script, opening a new path for precise diagnosis and antivirals

A research team led by Prof. Hsing I-Ming, Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with Prof. Zhai Yuanliang, ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Cold-triggered ion channel in bacteria may point to broader temperature-sensing mechanism

All lifeforms need to continuously adapt to temperature changes to survive. Now, Weill Cornell Medicine investigators studying a bacterial protein have identified a new mechanism of sensing cold temperatures. The finding ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Cool beans, smart roots: Special cell helps seedlings survive drought battered and nutrient poor soils

Researchers have identified a previously unknown cell type hidden on the roots of common beans, a microscopic survival mechanism that could inform the development of more climate-resilient crops and reduce fertilizer dependence.

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Aircraft measurements reveal surprisingly strong Southern Ocean biological productivity

The biological productivity of the Southern Ocean in the summertime is substantially greater than many previous estimates have suggested, according to new airborne research by the U.S. National Science Foundation National ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / How higher temperatures can benefit (or devastate) bumble bee populations

New research finds that higher temperatures can actually benefit some bumble bee species—particularly those that make subterranean nests. However, periods of extreme heat appear to offset those benefits, and may contribute ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Portable sensor detects PFAS in water on-site, cutting need for costly lab tests

A new study has unveiled a new method to cost-effectively and practically test for "forever chemicals" in water, potentially revolutionizing environmental PFAS monitoring. Led by Griffith University, the novel PFAS detection ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / AI matches human teachers: Brief pre-lecture chat boosts students' brain synchrony and learning outcomes

Millions of students worldwide have long relied on self-paced learning through pre-recorded video lectures, a model that forms the backbone of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and large-scale online education. Since the ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Fewer insects, fewer nutritious crops: Pollinator decline puts human health at risk

Biodiversity loss is directly threatening human health and welfare, according to new research led by the University of Bristol. The study, published in Nature reveals, for the first time, how the decline of insect pollinators ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Dynamic catalyst interfaces offer a smarter route for converting CO₂ into formic acid

Electroreduction offers a promising route for converting CO2 into value-added chemicals using renewable electricity. Among the possible products, formic acid is particularly attractive because it is an important chemical ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Online echo chambers can arise even without algorithmic nudges or seeking like-minded people

A new study of online communities suggests that their interaction dynamics can amplify small, local imbalances in opinions, rapidly turning initially mixed-opinion communities into highly-polarized ones—even without the algorithms ...

May 6, 2026
Phys.org / Even the most remote ocean is contaminated with zinc from human sources, research reveals

The vast, deserted South Pacific is considered unspoiled nature. But this ocean is not as unspoiled as we would like to think. A new study by a group of researchers from ETH Zurich and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean ...

May 6, 2026