Astronomers spot an Earth-sized planet with a 'lava hemisphere'

In a system with two known planets, astronomers spotted something new: A small object transiting across the sun-sized star. This turned out to be another planet, which was extra hot and Earth-sized. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Researchers profile two elusive proteins critical for healthy cell division

The cells in our bodies constantly divide and renew themselves. But if division goes wrong, cancer or other diseases can result. Now, University of Connecticut researchers have profiled two elusive proteins critical for healthy cell division. They report their results in the Dec. … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Generating stable qubits at room temperature

A group of researchers reports that they have achieved quantum coherence at room temperature, which is the ability of a quantum system to maintain a well-defined state over time without getting affected by surrounding disturbances | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Magnitude 6.4 earthquake shakes parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan but no damage is reported

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake shook parts of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan on Thursday, sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes and offices and frightening people in remote villages, Pakistani officials and the U.S. Geological Survey said. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Graphene-based implantable technology paves way for high-precision therapeutic applications

Years of research has led to the development of EGNITE (Engineered Graphene for Neural Interfaces), a novel class of flexible, high-resolution, high-precision graphene-based implantable neurotechnology. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Potential solvents identified for building on the moon and Mars

Researchers have taken the first steps toward finding liquid solvents that may someday help extract critical building materials from lunar- and Martian-rock dust, an important part of making long-term space travel possible. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Gland-like tissue in saber-toothed frog lower jaw may be used for communication

A team of zoologists from the Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science's Museum für Naturkunde, the University of Würzburg, both in Germany and ONG EnviSud Guinée, in Guinea, has found evidence that the gland-like tissue in the lower jaw of saber-toothed frogs may … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

New dinosaur species may be closest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex

A new species of tyrannosaur from southern North America that may the closest known relative of Tyrannosaurus rex is described in a study published in Scientific Reports. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Oldest known fossilized skin is 21 million years older than previous examples

Researchers have identified a 3D fragment of fossilized skin that is at least 21 million years than previously described skin fossils. The skin, which belonged to an early species of Paleozoic reptile, has a pebbled surface and most closely resembles crocodile skin. It's the olde … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Bioinformatics: Researchers develop a new machine learning approach

To combat viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, synthetic biology offers new technological approaches whose performance is being validated in experiments. Researchers from the Würzburg Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research and the Helmholtz AI Cooperative applied … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Biomaterials contribute greatly to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but are not yet climate neutral, finds study

On average, bio-based products emit 45% less greenhouse gas emissions than the fossil materials they replace, according to research conducted by Radboud University, published in Nature Communications. At the same time, there is a large variation between individual bio-based produ … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

A novel pathway regulating lipid biosynthesis by fatty acids

Researchers have been studying the transcription factor, SREBP, a critical regulator of lipid biosynthesis. Precursor SREBP proteins, located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the cell, are transported through the Golgi apparatus to the nucleus. Here, they promote the transcri … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Study reveals freshwater phytoplankton in Lake Baikal produce sulfur-containing chemical to survive in ice

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a compound synthesized by marine phytoplankton for protection against the osmotic pressure of saline water. However, DMSP could also have a role in preventing freezing damage. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Research offers insights into the metal-to-insulator transition without breaking symmetry

Metal-to-insulator transition—a process that turns materials from a conductor to an insulator—has been a crucial process behind microelectronic switches, nonvolatile memory, and neuromorphic computing materials. In many cases, this transition is accompanied by drastic changes in … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Astronomers make rare exoplanet discovery, and a giant leap in detecting Earth-like bodies

Astronomers have made the rare discovery of a small, cold exoplanet and its massive outer companion—shedding light on the formation of planets like Earth. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Moisture-resistant hairstyling agent: Development of a humidity-induced shape memory polymeric material

NIMS and Nihon L'Oréal K.K. have developed a shape memory polymeric material responsive to humidity. This innovative material, when applied to a person's hair and allowed to dry, serves as an exceptionally moisture-resistant hairstyling agent. The research was published in Advanc … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Exciplex route to white organic light emitting diodes: The role of a spacer layer

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have matured to commercial level. Yet, their widespread market adoption is hindered due to high costs and complicated device architecture. Researchers are actively exploring innovative device engineering strategies to circumvent these issues. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Researchers develop prime editors using Cas12a and circular RNAs in human cells

In a study published in Nature Biotechnology, Gao Caixia's group from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a series of new prime editors based on the Cas12a protein, further expanding the targeting scope and applicat … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Study identifies reaction conditions that could make autoxidation of aldehydes more environmentally friendly

Approximately 5% of global carbon emissions are attributable to producing the chemicals that are essential to modern life. Creating a sustainable solution to one chemical reaction in particular—the autoxidation of aldehydes—has challenged researchers for decades. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

A three-step mechanism explaining ultraviolet-induced CO desorption from CO ice

The desorption of CO ice induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a phenomenon that occurs in some cold parts of the universe, which has often also been replicated in laboratory settings. While this phenomenon is now well-documented, the molecular mechanisms underpinning it are y … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Realizing eco-friendly and high-performance thermoelectric materials

In a new study, environmentally benign inverse-perovskites with high energy conversion efficiency have been reported by Tokyo Tech scientists with potential for practical application as thermoelectric materials (TEMs). Addressing the limitations typically faced with TEMs, such as … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Discovery of unusual star may change our picture of how stars explode and elements are made

Scientists have found a star unlike any other one recorded—which may change our understanding of how stars die. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Jupiter has at least three magnetosheath jets, finds Voyager 2 data study

A team of astrophysicists and astronomers from Harbin Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Peking University has found evidence from Voyager 2 data showing that Jupiter has at least three magnetosheath jets. The study is published in Nature Communications. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Astronomers find direct link that supernovae give rise to black holes or neutron stars

Astronomers have found a direct link between the explosive deaths of massive stars and the formation of the most compact and enigmatic objects in the universe—black holes and neutron stars. With the help of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) and … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Fossil of 72-million-year-old sturgeon discovered in Edmonton

A 72-million-year-old sturgeon fossil has been discovered in Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River Valley, the first fish material of any kind found from that time period and in that geographical area. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Researchers use spinning metasurfaces to craft compact thermal imaging system

Researchers have developed a new technology that uses meta-optical devices to perform thermal imaging. The approach provides richer information about imaged objects, which could broaden the use of thermal imaging in fields such as autonomous navigation, security, thermography, me … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Ultra-short laser flashes on demand: Controllable light pulse pairs from a single-fiber laser

In an innovative approach to controlling ultrashort laser flashes, researchers from the Universities of Bayreuth and Konstanz are using soliton physics and two pulse combs within a single laser. The method has the potential to drastically speed up and simplify laser applications. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

NGC 2403 XMM4 is a super-Eddington neutron star, study finds

By analyzing the data from various space telescopes, astronomers have performed a detailed study of an ultraluminous X-ray source known as NGC 2403 XMM4. Results of the study, published January 5 in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journal, indicate that this … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

A 22-million-year-old petrified mangrove forest found in the Panama Canal

A team of environmental and natural scientists from Universidad EAFIT in Colombia, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, and Boise State University in the U.S. has found evidence of an ancient petrified mangrove forest on an island in the Panama Canal. For their … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Scientists tame chaotic protein fueling 75% of cancers

MYC is the shapeless protein responsible for making the majority of human cancer cases worse. UC Riverside researchers have found a way to rein it in, offering hope for a new era of treatments. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Mammoth rocket stage for Blue Origin New Glenn goes for sideways ride on Space Coast

A first stage of Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket became king of the road for a day making a trip from the factory to its launch complex on Wednesday. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Protecting Alaska's wilderness and the Indigenous way of life is critical to a green future, says advocate

"Alaska is America's natural resource warehouse." That is what Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy told then-President Donald Trump in 2018. But our home is far more than storage for the next fad of consumer desires in the Lower 48 states. In Alaska, we are facing an onslaught of propo … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Ancient cities provide key datasets for urban planning, policy and predictions in the Anthropocene

Cities play a key role in climate change and biodiversity and are one of the most recognizable features of the Anthropocene. They also accelerate innovation and shape social networks, while perpetuating and intensifying inequalities. Today over half of all humanity lives in citie … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Transparent brain implant can read deep neural activity from the surface

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a neural implant that provides information about activity deep inside the brain while sitting on its surface. The implant is made up of a thin, transparent and flexible polymer strip that is packed with a dense … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

First prehistoric person with Turner syndrome identified from ancient DNA

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, working with University of Oxford, University of York and Oxford Archaeology, have developed a new technique to measure the number of chromosomes in ancient genomes more precisely, using it to identify the first prehistoric person with … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Top ten plant and fungal species named new to science in 2023

Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew together with international partners present their annual pick of the top 10 plants and fungi described as new to science in 2023. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Research team reports observing vibrational spectra of a single protein with infrared nanospectroscopy

An interdisciplinary research team, led by Assistant Prof. Jun Nishida and Associate Prof. Takashi Kumagai at the Institute for Molecular Science, has successfully observed vibrational spectra of single proteins, consisting of approximately 500 amino acid residues, using advanced … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Joking apart: What men and women find funny

Men rate visual jokes more highly than women do, whereas women prefer jokes that involve political commentary or the dynamics of close relationships, a new study of print cartoons dating from 1930-2010 finds. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

'Carbon vault' peat suffers greatly from drought, finds study

Peatlands are affected more by drought than expected. This is concerning, as these ecosystems are an important ally in the fight against climate change. Following long periods of drought, peat is able to absorb little to no extra carbon (CO2). Increasing biodiversity also does li … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Participation in careers programs found to increase engagement with vocational services

A new study published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation evaluates the impact of Vermont's Linking Learning to Careers (LLC) program on service usage patterns and outcomes of participating high school students with disabilities, compared to a control group. | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Old stars may be the best places to search for life

Once upon a cosmic time, scientists assumed that stars apply an eternal magnetic brake, causing an endless slowdown of their rotation. With new observations and sophisticated methods, they have now peeked into a star's magnetic secrets and found that they are not what they expect … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Researchers find a red knot's character is formed in first year of life

In any group of red knots, respective individuals exhibit a remarkable array of distinct character types. Birds with an exploratory character are motivated to investigate their environment and readily explore unfamiliar areas. Meanwhile, birds with inactive character types are co … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Nafion byproduct 2 found in blood of well users near Fayetteville, N.C.

Researchers from the GenX Exposure Study detected PFAS originating from a fluorochemical manufacturing plant—including Nafion byproduct 2 and GenX—in nearby private wells in Bladen and Cumberland Counties, N.C. PFAS refers to a group of chemicals called per and poly-fluoroalkyl s … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Study uncovers low-temperature deformation mechanism of pure titanium

Titanium (Ti), often hailed as the wonder metal for its remarkable properties, has many applications in aerospace, marine, and biomedicine industries. Known for their low density, high strength, high ductility, great corrosion resistance, and excellent biocompatibility, Ti and it … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Extreme heat wave in East Antarctica driven by record-breaking 'atmospheric river,' analysis finds

Scientists have identified the intricate meteorological drivers that led to an intense heat wave across East Antarctica in from 15-19 March 2022. The heat wave, which affected an area of the size of India (3.3 million km2), was driven by the most intense 'atmospheric river' ever … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Researchers explore the impact of microplastics and toxin exposure on goldfish

The presence of plastics in our oceans and waterbodies is one of the most significant threats to marine ecosystems. In 2022, plastic production exceeded 400 million tons globally, which continues to rise. The presence of microplastics, ranging in size from 100 nanometers to 5 mil … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Unveiling the reproductive secrets of red-swamp crayfish

Procambarus clarkii is a crustacean species native to American freshwater bodies. Brought to Japan in the 1920s as a feed for frogs, this crustacean has slowly taken over the Japanese freshwaters by predation and propagation. In fact, in 2023, the red-swamp crayfish was designate … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago

Webb discovers dusty 'cat's tail' in Beta Pictoris System

Beta Pictoris, a young planetary system located just 63 light-years away, continues to intrigue scientists even after decades of in-depth study. It possesses the first dust disk imaged around another star—a disk of debris produced by collisions between asteroids, comets, and plan … | Continue reading


@phys.org | 2 months ago