Phys.org news

Phys.org / Cannabis essential oils unlock how camphor repels mosquitoes

From summer evenings to global disease prevention, mosquito repellents are a daily defense for billions of people, yet until now, scientists didn't fully understand how mosquitoes themselves perceive these "keep away" signals. ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Nutrient-driven 'death fronts' may explain why some antibiotics fail outside the lab

Antibiotics are medical marvels that have transformed once deadly bacterial infections into manageable conditions. But with a rise in antibiotic resistance that renders existing treatments ineffective, new agents are urgently ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / How studying yeast in the gut could lead to new, better drugs

A new study sheds light on the behavior of yeast cells in the gut, paving the way for new lines of yeast that more efficiently produce therapeutic drugs tailored to address specific diseases. The research is published in ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / When smaller means better: How device scaling enhances memory performance

Shrinking ferroelectric tunnel junctions can significantly boost their performance in memory devices, as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. The team fabricated nanoscale junctions directly on silicon substrates and ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Phys.org / New technology reveals hidden DNA scaffolding built before life 'switches on'

For decades, scientists viewed the genome of a newly fertilized egg as a structural "blank slate"—a disordered tangle of DNA waiting for the embryo to wake up and start reading its own genetic instructions. In research ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / Decision-making nudges can improve racial equity in tenure decisions

After years of research, teaching, and service, a faculty member's tenure and future in academia hinge on the evaluations of their peers—senior faculty who serve on promotion and tenure committees. These evaluations can ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Marine plastic pollution alters octopus predator-prey encounters, study shows

More than 350,000 chemicals are used worldwide, and many find their way into the ocean through plastic pollution. As plastics accumulate in coastal waters, they continuously leach bioactive additives that can interfere with ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / How the color of a theater affects sound perception

Live music can engage more than just one sense, despite it being an auditory medium. Lighting and visual effects can enhance the listening experience, but it is unclear if they can also affect the impression of the sound. ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Americans reveal deepening split between self and country

American reports of individual well-being have remained relatively stable over decades, but confidence in the nation has sharply declined. James N. Druckman and colleagues analyzed long-term survey data from two projects: ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Methane's missing emissions: The underestimated impact of small sources

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with an impact estimated at 80 times that of CO₂. Although efforts are being made to reduce the contribution of big polluters to methane in Japan, new research from Osaka Metropolitan ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Earth
Phys.org / AI provides a more precise time of death post-mortem

Artificial intelligence can be used to provide a more precise time of death, which could be crucial in murder investigations. The method was developed by researchers at Linköping University and the Swedish National Board ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Biology
Phys.org / With the flip of a switch, scientists harness light to program how particles interact and assemble

NYU scientists are using light to precisely control how tiny particles organize themselves into crystals. Their research, published in Chem, provides a simple and reversible method for forming crystals that can be used to ...

Feb 24, 2026 in Chemistry