https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Early Jurassic ichthyosaur juveniles show predatory specializations, scientists at the University of Bristol have revealed. https://phys.org/news/2022-10-jurassic-ichthyosaurs-food-resources-co-exist.html Paleontology & Fossils Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:43:00 EDT news584019776 For centuries, scientists relied on a pen or pencil and trusty lab notebook to make sure their experiments could be understood and replicated by colleagues. Now, as experiments may involve dozens of steps and hundreds of materials, produce gigabytes of data that require supercomputers to process and are shared with collaborators around the globe, the lab notebook may no longer suffice. https://phys.org/news/2022-06-online-platform-scientific-collaborations.html Biotechnology Fri, 24 Jun 2022 11:20:02 EDT news575287900 Ever wish your computer could think like you do or perhaps even understand you? https://phys.org/news/2020-03-team-inorganic-materials-brain-like.html Materials Science Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:43:52 EST news502472627 A new study by chemists at the University of Arkansas shows that X-ray crystallography, the standard method for determining the structure of proteins, can provide inaccurate information about a critical set of proteins—those found in cell membranes—which in turn could be leading to poor and inefficient drug design. https://phys.org/news/2019-10-reveals-limitations-method-protein.html Biochemistry Tue, 08 Oct 2019 11:49:17 EDT news489754151 As the Earth's temperature warms, its hydrological cycle kicks into overdrive—wet years get wetter, and dry years get drier. According to a new University of Arizona-led study, these increased rainfall extremes could have dire consequences for the semi-arid forests of the western U.S. https://phys.org/news/2019-10-precipitation-extremes-tree-growth-reductions.html Environment Wed, 02 Oct 2019 14:00:07 EDT news489240754 Type "sea-level rise" in an internet search engine and almost all the resulting images will show flooded cities, with ample guidance on civic options for protecting urban infrastructure, from constructing seawalls to elevating roadways. https://phys.org/news/2019-05-highlights-vulnerability-rural-coast-sea-level.html Earth Sciences Tue, 28 May 2019 10:44:58 EDT news478259084 In August of 2016, astronomers from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) confirmed the existence of an Earth-like planet around Proxima Centauri – the closest star to our solar system. In addition, they confirmed that this planet (Proxima b) orbited within its star's habitable zone. Since then, multiple studies have been conducted to determine if Proxima b could in fact be habitable. https://phys.org/news/2018-09-closest-planet-solar-habitable-dayside.html Astronomy Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:07:12 EDT news456397623 A Northwestern-led synthetic biology research team has combined technologies to develop a new biotech technique that promises to accelerate research into protein therapies that could one day become the next defense against antibiotic-resistant supergerms or the next new drug. https://phys.org/news/2018-05-biotech-technique-protein-therapy.html Biochemistry Mon, 07 May 2018 12:53:25 EDT news444916396 About 2 to 3 million years ago, a group of spiders let out long silk threads into the wind and set sail, so to speak, across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. These spiders were parasites of other spiders, invading their webs, snipping threads to steal insects that had been caught. But there weren't many webs to rob on Hawaii when they arrived. So they expanded their repertoire, looking for other ways to survive by trapping and eating other spiders. A new species evolved from those first spiders, after finding a way to live on rocks. And then another species evolved to live under leaves. And then another. And then 11 more species. https://phys.org/news/2018-03-hawaiian-spiders-re-evolve-guises-island.html Plants & Animals Thu, 08 Mar 2018 12:32:28 EST news439734740 Compared to some other galaxies in our Universe, the Milky Way is a rather subtle character. In fact, there are galaxies that are a thousands times as luminous as the Milky Way, owing to the presence of warm gas in the galaxy's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ). This gas is heated by massive bursts of star formation that surround the Supermassive Black Hole (SMBH) at the nucleus of the galaxy. https://phys.org/news/2018-02-high-resolution-image-core-milky-reveals.html Astronomy Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:20:01 EST news439030760 On September 15th, 2017, after nearly 20 years in service, the Cassini spacecraft ended its mission by plunging into the atmosphere of Saturn. During the 13 years it spent in the Saturn system, this probe revealed a great deal about the gas giant, its rings, and its systems of moons. As such, it was a bittersweet moment for the mission team when the probe concluded its Grand Finale and began descending into Saturn's atmosphere. https://phys.org/news/2018-02-cassini-saturn.html Space Exploration Mon, 26 Feb 2018 08:22:09 EST news438855715 Integral membrane proteins, or IMPs, are a major class of proteins that play crucial roles in many cellular processes, including the catalysis of disulfide bonds, which are essential for the function and stability of many proteins such as antibodies, which have significant therapeutic potential. https://phys.org/news/2017-06-identity-cellular-enzyme-spawns-pathway.html Biochemistry Wed, 21 Jun 2017 07:30:12 EDT news417249002 Setting foot on a distant planet… we've all dreamed about it at one time or another. And it has been a staple of science fiction for almost a century. Engage the warp dive, spool up the FLT, open a wormhole, or jump into the cryochamber. Next stop, Alpha Centauri (or some other star)! But when it comes to turning science fiction into science fact, there are certain unfortunate realities we have to contend with. For starters, none of the technology for faster-than-light travel exists! https://phys.org/news/2016-08-professor-digital-stars.html Space Exploration Wed, 17 Aug 2016 09:30:02 EDT news390642249 Beyond the orbit of Neptune, the farthest recognized-planet from our sun, lies the mysteries population known as the Trans-Neptunian Object (TNOs). For years, astronomers have been discovering bodies and minor planets in this region which are influenced by Neptune's gravity, and orbit our sun at an average distance of 30 Astronomical Units. https://phys.org/news/2016-08-neptune-chunk-ice-orbiting-sun.html Astronomy Wed, 17 Aug 2016 08:43:59 EDT news390642222 Finding examples of intelligent life other than our own in the Universe is hard work. Between spending decades listening to space for signs of radio traffic – which is what the good people at the SETI Institute have been doing – and waiting for the day when it is possible to send spacecraft to neighboring star systems, there simply haven't been a lot of options for finding extra-terrestrials. https://phys.org/news/2016-05-aliens-easier-previously-thought.html Astronomy Thu, 26 May 2016 09:50:02 EDT news383471972 How was our Universe created? How did it come to be the seemingly infinite place we know of today? And what will become of it, ages from now? These are the questions that have been puzzling philosophers and scholars since the beginning the time, and led to some pretty wild and interesting theories. Today, the consensus among scientists, astronomers and cosmologists is that the Universe as we know it was created in a massive explosion that not only created the majority of matter, but the physical laws that govern our ever-expanding cosmos. https://phys.org/news/2015-12-big-theory.html Astronomy Fri, 18 Dec 2015 09:20:01 EST news369651697 In their drive to set exploration goals for the future, NASA's Discovery Program put out the call for proposals for their thirteenth Discovery mission in February 2014. After reviewing the 27 initial proposals, a panel of NASA and other scientists and engineers recently selected five semifinalists for additional research and development, one or two of which will be launching by the 2020s. https://phys.org/news/2015-10-mission-metal-worldthe-psyche.html Space Exploration Fri, 09 Oct 2015 11:30:01 EDT news363600635 For thousands of years, human beings have stared up at the sky and wondered about the Red Planet. Easily seen from Earth with the naked eye, ancient astronomers have charted its course across the heavens with regularity. By the 19th century, with the development of powerful enough telescopes, scientists began to observe the planet's surface and speculate about the possibility of life existing there. https://phys.org/news/2015-02-mars.html Space Exploration Thu, 26 Feb 2015 10:20:02 EST news344165345 Given that our Solar System sits inside the Milky Way Galaxy, getting a clear picture of what it looks like as a whole can be quite tricky. In fact, it was not until 1852 that astronomer Stephen Alexander first postulated that the galaxy was spiral in shape. And since that time, numerous discoveries have come along that have altered how we picture it. https://phys.org/news/2015-01-milky-arms-encircle-entire-galaxy.html Astronomy Wed, 14 Jan 2015 09:50:02 EST news340448261 Manned missions to deep space present numerous challenges. In addition to the sheer amount of food, water and air necessary to keep a crew alive for months (or years) at a time, there's also the question of keeping them busy for the entirety of a long-duration flight. Exercise is certainly an option, but the necessary equipment will take up space and be a drain on power. https://phys.org/news/2014-10-nasa-deep-space-hibernation-technology.html Space Exploration Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:32:30 EDT news332757103 When Elisa Teipel, and her collaborators began their research several years ago, their goal was to take an agricultural waste product of little value—in this case, fibers extracted from coconut husks—and turn it into an environmentally-friendly, valuable commodity. https://phys.org/news/2014-07-company-coconut-husk-fibers-materials.html Materials Science Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:50:04 EDT news325322192 LA PUSH, Clallam County, Wash. - model airplane. As the propeller started to whirl, Morgan cocked his arm and flung the plane as if he were throwing a spear. https://phys.org/news/2013-07-state-scientists-drones-spy-nature.html Engineering Fri, 19 Jul 2013 17:30:01 EDT news293469705 (PhysOrg.com) -- Deciphering microscopic clues hidden within fossils, scientists have uncovered the vibrant colors that adorned a feathered dinosaur extinct for 150 million years, a Yale University-led research team reports online Feb. 4 in the journal Science. https://phys.org/news/2010-02-scientists-palette-dinosaur.html Archaeology Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:00:01 EST news184513494