Phys.org news
Phys.org / Data-driven 3D chromosome model reveals structural and dynamic features of DNA
Chromosomes are masters of organization. These long strings of DNA fold down into an ensemble of compact structures that keep needed parts of the genome accessible while tucking away those that aren't used as often. Understanding ...
Phys.org / Study shows the hominid population of Sima de los Huesos had a varied diet
Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH) have led a study, recently published in the Journal of Human Evolution, on the diet of individuals at the Sima de los Huesos site (Sierra ...
Phys.org / Marine volcanic plateaus tied to at least 4 Triassic extinction events
Mass extinctions are extremely catastrophic events on Earth. Throughout Earth's evolutionary history, numerous mass extinctions have occurred, with five major mass extinctions being particularly representative. These extinctions ...
Phys.org / Oddball flower challenges long-held rule about how new plant species evolve
Lipstick vines get their name from their bright red, tube-shaped flowers. But one member of this group of plants has lost its lipstick-like appearance—its flowers are shorter, wider, and yellowish green in color. It also ...
Phys.org / Raman sensors with push-pull alkyne tags amplify weak signals to track cell chemistry
Seeing chemistry unfold inside living cells is one of the biggest challenges of modern bioimaging. Raman microscopy offers a powerful way to meet this challenge by reading the unique vibrational signatures of molecules. However, ...
Phys.org / A new route to synthesize multiple functionalized carbon nanohoops
The field of nanomaterials is witnessing a transformative shift at the intersection of organic chemistry and molecular engineering. Among the most promising molecular structures are carbon nanohoops, of which [n]cycloparaphenylenes ...
Phys.org / 'Spectral slimming' yields ultranarrow plasmons in single metal nanoparticles
Researchers have developed a new strategy to overcome a long-standing limitation in plasmonic loss by reshaping light–matter interactions through substrate engineering.
Phys.org / Red flowers have a 'magic trait' to attract birds and keep bees away
For flowering plants, reproduction is a question of the birds and the bees. Attracting the right pollinator can be a matter of survival—and new research shows how flowers do it is more intriguing than anyone realized, and ...
Phys.org / Streaks on Mercury show that it is not a 'dead planet'
Although Mercury was geologically active in its early days, today its surface appears almost completely static. This is why it is often perceived as a dead and dry planet. A new study led by Dr. Valentin Bickel from the Center ...
Phys.org / Net-casting spiders' adjustable silk stiffness point to tunable fiber design
What makes spider silk so extraordinarily strong and elastic at the same time? This was the focus of recent investigations carried out by researchers from the University of Greifswald, the University of Bonn and the Museum ...
Phys.org / How gut bacteria share antibiotic resistance genes and fuel dangerous hospital infections
Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have uncovered how a high-risk class of genetic vectors can efficiently spread antibiotic resistance within the gut, enabling ...
Phys.org / A specific immune system protein may drive antibiotic tolerance
If you have had strep throat or an ear infection, there's a good chance you received amoxicillin or penicillin to effectively kill the troublesome bacteria. These drugs, which belong to a broad group of antibiotics called ...