Phys.org news

Phys.org / Telomere breaks provide new insights into chaotic chromosome mutations

Researchers at Cardiff University have uncovered how a particularly severe form of DNA damage arises—shedding new light on mutation processes that contribute to cancer and inherited genetic conditions. The study, led by ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / One gene makes the difference: Breeding winter-hardy faba beans

An international research team involving the IPK Leibniz Institute has discovered a small yet significant genetic difference in faba beans. Whether a plant survives the winter or can only be grown in spring hinges on a single ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / AI-enabled quantum refinement cracks the code of difficult-to-map proteins

Using a tool to solve a protein's structure, for most researchers in the world of structural biology and computational chemistry, is not unlike using the Rosetta Stone to unlock the secrets of ancient Egyptian texts. Once ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Strange cosmic burst from colliding galaxies shines light on heavy elements

A recently detected flash of energy appears to have emanated from the wreckage of colliding galaxies, according to an international team of astronomers led by Penn State scientists. The burst, known as GRB 230906A, was likely ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Why lethal mutations persist: Fruit fly study points to newly transferred jumping genes, not small DNA errors

Most lethal mutations in wild fruit flies are driven by newly transferred jumping genes, not small DNA errors, according to a new study from Duke University. The findings, published in PLOS Biology, challenge decades of assumptions ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Study shows spiral sound can shift sideways

A new University of Mississippi study shows that some sound waves don't just move forward—they also move slightly to the side. Understanding this movement could help researchers develop more precise acoustic tools. Likun ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Life-limiting heat exposure has doubled since the 1950s, study finds

Climate change since the 1950s has doubled the amount of time per year that millions of people around the world must endure heat so extreme that everyday physical activities cannot be done safely, a new study concludes.

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Bacteria have a secret engineering trick to keep themselves in shape

Blow up a long balloon and two things happen: it gets longer and it gets wider. Now imagine a living cell that inflates itself under enormous pressure and yet only grows longer, never adding width. That is exactly what rod-shaped ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Why averages fail for bacteria in the open ocean

How can bacteria that forage on organic particles survive in vast ocean regions where such particles are extremely sparse? A new study by researchers from ETH Zurich and Queen Mary University of London shows that variability ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Probiotic sugar compound blocks norovirus from attaching to cells

Stopping viruses before they strike is a key challenge in public health. A research team led by Associate Professor Li Dan from the Department of Food Science and Technology at National University of Singapore's Faculty of ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / How boron helps to produce key proteins for new cancer therapies

Chemists from ETH Zurich have found a way to produce poorly soluble proteins by caging a uniquely reactive boron compound. This method opens up new possibilities for the synthesis of tailored protein therapeutics, including ...

Mar 10, 2026
Phys.org / Moisture-powered polymers could make cleaning CO₂ from air more efficient

Over the past century, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased dramatically. This rise has contributed to global warming and led to many harmful effects, including shifting weather patterns and more frequent ...

Mar 10, 2026