Phys.org news

Phys.org / Temperature shifts change plant proteins that power photosynthesis

Humans adjust to changes in temperature by putting on a sweater or taking off layers. Plants adjust to temperature changes, in part, by switching the way they express the protein that performs the critical first step of photosynthesis, ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Industrial chemical leaks could push ozone layer recovery back by 7 years

The recovery of the ozone layer in Earth's stratosphere could be delayed by several years, according to an international study led by Swiss research institution Empa which included contributions from University of Bristol ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Closing the carbon cycle: Unraveling the roles of light and heat in CO₂ photocatalysis

Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities are the largest contributor to global warming. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global CO2 emissions reached an all-time high of 37.8 gigatons ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Human sense of smell evolved with diets and lifestyle, genetic study suggests

From the ability to detect the smell of wet soil to the scent of ripe fruit, the human olfactory system has evolved over thousands of years in response to how people live and what they eat, according to a new genetic study ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Cells have a secret 'courier system' that could open hard-to-reach targets for RNA and gene therapies

Researchers at University College Dublin have discovered a previously unknown "courier system" that cells use to deliver coherent biological messages between each other, opening new possibilities for medicine and biotechnology. ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Simulations generate thousands of cyclone scenarios to predict extreme flooding in Bay of Bengal

Powerful cyclones can push seawater miles inland, threatening densely populated communities and critical infrastructure built along coastal areas. A combination of exposure and complexity makes the Bay of Bengal in Southeast ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / New metric identifies at-risk mangroves before they disappear

Scientists from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación in Mexico have developed a tool that identifies mangrove patches facing the greatest risk of ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / AI turns plain-language prompts into lab-ready recipes for novel materials

Advances in artificial intelligence promise to help chemical engineers discover complex new materials. These materials could be used for reactions such as turning carbon dioxide into fuel, but technical barriers have limited ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / A regulatory loophole could delay ozone recovery by years

Often hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement of all time, the 1987 Montreal Protocol continues to successfully phase out the global production of chemicals that were creating a growing hole in ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Ancient viruses serve as gene delivery couriers to help bacteria resist antibiotics

Research has shed important new light on the enemies-turned-allies that allow bacteria to exchange genes, including those linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The insights, which expand our understanding of the major ...

Apr 16, 2026
Phys.org / Gravity follows Newton and Einstein's rules, even at cosmic scales

Gravity, as most people understand it, is the familiar force that pulls a falling apple toward Earth. But for astronomers and theoretical physicists, it is also a vexing invisible architect that guides the shape and evolution ...

Apr 15, 2026
Phys.org / America's sewage and manure hold a $5.7 billion key to breaking synthetic fertilizer dependence

Nutrients recovered from animal and human waste could drastically reduce synthetic fertilizer use in the U.S., according to a new Cornell University study that takes into account real-world implementation challenges like ...

Apr 15, 2026