Novel AI-based approach for more accurate RNA 3D structure prediction

A research team from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has successfully harnessed artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-learning techniques to model atomic-level RNA 3D structures from primary RNA sequences. Ca … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Thianthrenium chemistry allows reactivity switch of a nucleophilic amino acid into a versatile intermediate

Chemical diversification of proteins is an important concept in the study of biological processes and the complex structures of the proteins themselves. Researchers from the Max Planck Society have now published their fascinating findings concerning an amino acid in Nature Chemis … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Are diamonds GaN's best friend? Revolutionizing transistor technology

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University are proving that diamonds are so much more than just a girl's best friend. Their groundbreaking research focuses on gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, which are high-power, high-frequency semiconductor devices used in mobile data and s … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

A new map shows all above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon

Publication of a new map showing all the above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon is good news in the context of the severe crisis afflicting the world's largest contiguous tropical rainforest. Using airborne laser scanning and satellite imagery calibrated by field forest inv … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Researchers take a different approach with measurement-based quantum computing

The race to develop quantum computers has really heated up over the past few years. State-of-the-art systems can now run simple algorithms using dozens of qubits—or quantum bits—which are the building blocks of quantum computers. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Using molecular 'cookie cutters' to view membrane protein organization

The membrane that encases a biological cell is not simply a barrier; it is chock full of proteins involved in all sorts of critical biological functions. To really understand what membrane proteins are doing and how, researchers need to know how they're organized and how they int … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

'Goldilocks system' boosts efficiency of nickel-catalyzed reactions

In the search for cheaper, greener alternatives to routinely used precious metal catalysts like palladium, nickel has become an increasingly popular choice in the last two decades for organic chemists assembling fragments of molecules for a variety of chemical applications, espec … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Young open cluster Messier 39 investigated in detail

Italian astronomers have performed high-resolution spectroscopic observations of a young open cluster known as Messier 39. Results of the observational campaign, presented in a paper published Dec. 14 on the pre-print server arXiv, yield essential information about the cluster's … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Heartbreak in Zimbabwe park: elephants' desperate hunt for water

Storm clouds are finally gathering over Zimbabwe's biggest animal reserve, but it has come too late for more than 110 elephants that have died in a searing, extended drought. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

A wildfire in Australia on the outskirts of Perth destroys at least 2 homes and injures 2 people

A wildfire burning out of control on the outskirts of the Australian west coast city of Perth on Thursday destroyed at least two homes and injured two people, officials said. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Scientists provide recipe to halve pollution from food production

A major report for the United Nations has put forward solutions to halve nitrogen pollution from agriculture and the food system in Europe, including reducing meat and dairy consumption, fertilizer use and food waste. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Fish display distinct individual behaviors when swimming to find food, finds study

Fish from the same species can evolve their sense of smell and display individual foraging 'personalities' to successfully find food in different habitats, according to new research. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

3D material found to break down antidepressant that contaminates water bodies worldwide

An study published in the Chemical Engineering Journal describes a strategy to produce a material based on zinc oxide (ZnO) capable of degrading sertraline, an antidepressant that has been detected, like other drugs, in groundwater worldwide and is considered an emerging pollutan … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

How do financial incentives for CEOs affect business outcomes? Bonuses have minimal effect, stock options have none

Financial incentives for chief executive officers (CEOs) are thought to motivate them to lead their company toward achieving important business objectives. In the first systematic review of all research on CEO incentives, researchers assessed the predictive effects of CEO financi … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Researchers map North American wild grape pangenome

Wild North American grapes are now less of a mystery after an international team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis, decoded and cataloged the genetic diversity of nine species of this valuable wine crop. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Conservation detection dogs sniff out rare curlew nests

Once an iconic native bird ubiquitous to the Irish landscape, Europe's largest wading bird, the curlew, is now threatened with extinction and disappearing from the Irish countryside. Over the last 40 years, the number of breeding curlew has decreased by 97% in Ireland and 82% in … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

As climate warms, that perfect Christmas tree may depend on growers' ability to adapt

Christmas tree breeder Jim Rockis knows what it looks like when one dies long before it can reach a buyer. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract, finds study

Plants often develop communities with microorganisms in their roots, which influences plant health and development. Although the recruitment of these microbes is dictated by several factors, it is unclear whether the genetic variation in the host plants plays a role. In a new stu … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Shipwreck ecology: Sunken vessels are a scientific treasure

In a newly published article in BioScience, scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), joined by an international team of ecologists and archaeologists, describe how shipwrecks provide a unique opportunity to study complex ecological processes. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Meet Ecuador's two newest tarantula species, just discovered and already facing imminent threats

In the depths of Ecuador's wilderness, scientists have unveiled the presence of two new tarantula species. Researchers of Universidad San Francisco de Quito found them on trees on the slopes of the Andes in the western part of the country. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Two recent studies expand understanding of how early social housing helps dairy calves thrive

Dairy industry professionals continuously work to ensure the highest possible welfare for dairy calves, including fine-tuning their housing to improve overall health, well-being, and performance. Two new studies in JDS Communications are illuminating our understanding of paired h … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New nuclear deflection simulations advance planetary defense against asteroid threats

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a modeling tool for assessing the potential use of a nuclear device to defend the planet against catastrophic asteroid impacts. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Combining atomistic simulations and machine learning to predict grain boundary segregation in magnesium alloys

Magnesium alloys hold promise as a lightweight material to reduce weight in automobiles and transportation systems, offering potential to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions, but low formability and strength prevent widespread adoption. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New study explores gender gaps in career paths

A recent study out of Michigan State University found significant variations in career interests between men and women. Surprisingly, even with these interest differences, gender gaps in career opportunities are more substantial than anticipated. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

NGC 2264: Telescopes illuminate 'Christmas tree cluster'

This new image of NGC 2264, also known as the "Christmas Tree Cluster," shows the shape of a cosmic tree with the glow of stellar lights. NGC 2264 is, in fact, a cluster of young stars—with ages between about one and five million years old—in our Milky Way about 2,500 light-years … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New study explores amino acid that turns into gel in water

Hydrogels, ubiquitous materials in our daily lives, are the focus of scientific research published in Chemistry—A European Journal. Conducted by the SupraBioNanoLab at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering Giulio Natta at Politecnico di Milano, the work … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Scanner data can help New York state farmers boost market sales

Julie and Steve Rockcastle, founders of Green Heron Growers in New York's Cattaraugus County, are always trying to figure out what works and what doesn't when it comes to selling their grass-fed beef at farmers markets. So after a Cornell study showed them that customers spent le … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Researchers identify protein with DYRK1A-inhibiting effect that may have implications for Down syndrome

Down syndrome, a congenital disorder stemming from abnormal cell division and differentiation, is most common in newborns fated to neurodevelopmental delays and other health complications. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Low economic growth can help keep climate change within the 1.5°C threshold, says study

A new study shows that economic growth rates make a big difference when it comes to prospects for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as per the Paris Agreement. A recent study by the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA- … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

AI models predict decay modes and half-lives of superheavy nuclei with unprecedented accuracy

In a study published in the journal of Nuclear Science and Techniques, researchers from Sun Yat-sen University have achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding the decay processes of superheavy nuclei. Their pioneering study, employing a random forest machine learning al … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Mollusks from polar expeditions reveal new details about the ocean

In the early hours of 30 October 1961, a Russian bomber took off and flew north. The plane was headed for the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Russian part of the Arctic. When the pilot saw the islands far below, he released the cargo—a bomb the size of a double-decker bus. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

New research models critical climate collapse conditions in ecological and biological systems

As humans continue to drive environmental damage through climate change, predicting points of no return becomes more crucial than ever. Worldwide, humanity and nature alike contend with increases in temperature, drought, wildfires, hurricanes, rising sea levels and more. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Q&A: Meaningful social interactions are the only 'cure' for loneliness

'Tis the season for friends and family, which could be crucial for combating loneliness, but one Western researcher says we should strive to maintain social connections at all times of the year. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Uncovering the 150-year history of Japanese beer barley breeding

Barley is a staple crop with several applications, acting as a source of food, livestock feed, and an ingredient for malt brewing. Originally disseminated from China and the Korean Peninsula about 2,000 years ago, all Japanese barley cultivars were six-row for human food until th … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Bolivia's hypergravity blood cell test for astronaut health

The latest international group to employ ESA's hypergravity-generating Large Diameter Centrifuge is an all-female team from Bolivia, with access sponsored by the United Nations and ESA. The researchers are investigating whether the high gravity levels experienced during rocket la … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Nanoparticles with antibacterial action could shorten duration of tuberculosis treatment

A low-cost technology involving nanoparticles loaded with antibiotics and other antimicrobial compounds that can be used in multiple attacks on infections by the bacterium responsible for most cases of tuberculosis has been developed by researchers at São Paulo State University ( … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

The holographic secret of black holes

As weird as it might sound, black holes appear to be holograms. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Fact checkers tend to agree on validity of news claims, researchers say

The use of fact-checking services spikes during major news events. Fortunately, the fact checkers have generally agreed in their assessments of whether news claims are true or false, according to researchers from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Astrophysicists publish Kepler Giant Planet Search, an aid to 'figure out where to find life'

A team of astrophysicists led by Lauren Weiss, assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame, created the first-ever catalog of small, Earth-like planets with Jupiter-like siblings (planets that share the same star)—a critical comp … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Study finds fires of war overtook climate-controlled fires along the eastern Silk Road

Human activities such as intentional burning, agriculture, pastoralism, and metallurgy can affect the frequency of fire in an ecosystem. Guanghui Dong, Aifeng Zhou and colleagues investigated whether another typical human activity has influenced fire history in the areas along th … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Hera's solar wings are cleared for flight

The solar wings that will power ESA's Hera asteroid mission for planetary defense as it ventures out to meet the Dimorphos asteroid have been cleared for flight. As part of its current test campaign at ESA's ESTEC Test Center in the Netherlands, the spacecraft commanded the deplo … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Study finds pandas are more socially active than previously thought

Pandas, long portrayed as solitary beasts, do hang with family and friends—and they're big users of social media. Scent-marking trees serve as a panda version of Facebook. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

'Molecular jackhammers' can rupture melanoma cells' membrane, study shows

The Beach Boys' iconic hit single "Good Vibrations" takes on a whole new layer of meaning thanks to a recent discovery by Rice University scientists and collaborators, who have uncovered a way to destroy cancer cells by using the ability of some molecules to vibrate strongly when … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Toxic chemicals found in oil spills and wildfire smoke detected in killer whales

Toxic chemicals produced from oil emissions and wildfire smoke have been found in muscle and liver samples from Southern Resident killer whales and Bigg's killer whales. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Research suggests women lose more muscle than men in spaceflight

New research published ahead of print in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests women lose more muscle than men in a microgravity environment such as spaceflight. The study "represent[s] the longest bed rest study on a large cohort of women" and underscores the need for more … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

World can't rely on tree planting to limit climate change, says report

Little consideration has been given by the IPCC to the feasibility of schemes that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—despite many countries banking on it as part of their net zero plans. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Astronomers scan hundreds of stars for 'anomalous transits'

Telescopes have been collecting copious amounts of data on exoplanets in recent years. One of the most common datasets tracks what are known as transits, when an exoplanet crosses in front of its host star and dims the star's light slightly as it does so. The majority of exoplane … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago

Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion advancing toward large-scale deployment

Global CO2 emissions continue to grow, reaching 36.1 Gt in 2022, stimulating the implementation of carbon taxes and impacting energy use. The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to produce high value-added chemicals and liquid fuels contributes to the construction of … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 11 months ago