Phys.org news

Phys.org / When heat flows backwards: A neat solution for hydrodynamic heat transport

When we think about heat traveling through a material, we typically picture diffusive transport, a process that transfers heat from high-temperature to low-temperature as particles and molecules bump into each other, losing ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Egalitarianism among hunter-gatherers? What a food-sharing experiment reveals about self-interest

Hunter-gatherers like the Hadza of Tanzania are famous for their egalitarianism. A resource redistribution experiment conducted with the Hadza suggests many tolerate inequality—as long as it benefits themselves. Published ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Researchers rebuild microscopic circadian clock that can control genes

Our circadian clocks play a crucial role in our health and well-being, keeping our 24-hour biological cycles in sync with light and dark exposure. Disruptions in the rhythms of these clocks, as with jet lag and daylight saving ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Most of Hawaii's birds contribute to avian malaria transmission, study finds

New research on avian malaria, which has decimated Hawaii's beloved birds, explains how non-native birds play a key role in transmission and contribute to the widespread distribution of the disease. This disease threatens ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Novel nanosheets boost clot clearing while limiting systemic bleeding

Thrombotic disorders—such as ischemic stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis—are principal contributors to global mortality. However, conventional thrombolytic therapies are often constrained ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / Half of the world's coral reefs suffered major bleaching during the 2014–2017 global heat wave, estimates suggest

Benefits to society from coral reefs, including fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, pharmaceutical discovery and more, are estimated at about $9.8 trillion per year. For the first time, an international team led by Smithsonian ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / AI model uses molecular energy to predict the most stable atom arrangements

Whether a smartphone battery lasts longer or a new drug can be developed to treat incurable diseases depends on how stably the atoms constituting the material are bonded. The core of molecular design lies in finding how to ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Chemistry
Phys.org / Versatile enzyme that quickly, accurately synthesizes RNA can also perform reverse transcription

From vaccines and diagnostics to emerging gene-based therapies, RNA molecules are now central to modern medicine. But as their use continues to grow, so does a fundamental challenge: producing RNA quickly, accurately and ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Passing got faster and more accurate in top soccer leagues, study finds

The amount and accuracy of passing in the game of soccer—called football across much of the world—has climbed in recent years, according to new research. The average passing volume, pass accuracy, and the percentage of ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Bison hunters abandoned long-used site 1,100 years ago to adapt to changing climate, Great Plains study finds

On the Great Plains of North America, bison were hunted for thousands of years before populations collapsed to near extinction due to overexploitation in the late 1800s. But long before then, bison hunters used various strategies ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Upcycling genes: 'SUPER' platform improves underperforming genetic parts

A research team has developed the "SUPER (Synthetic Upcycling Platform for Engineering Regulators)" platform, which dramatically enhances the performance and stability of gene regulatory devices. This research was recently ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Breeding a better cucumber: New genetic map reveals 171,892 structural variants

Cucumber is an economically important crop worldwide, ranking as the third most-produced vegetable after tomatoes and onions. Yet breeding improved varieties—plants that are more resilient, produce better-shaped fruit, ...

Feb 10, 2026 in Biology