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. When an insecticide application fails to control bluegreen aphid, application conditions may not be the only cause. Research has identified resistant populations across southern Australia, confirming that repeated reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides is no longer sustainable. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-rethinking-bluegreen-aphid-insecticide-resistance.html Ecology Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:40:01 EDT news707127358 Imagine doctors could understand exactly which cells caused a patient's cancer or whether pathogens contributed to the disease. They could then use the information to tailor a treatment plan to the patient's specific cancer. But answering such questions would mean wading through data from thousands of experiments locked in massive databases around the globe. Moreover, the search would take at least several days. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-google-cell-rna-previously-impossible.html Biotechnology Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:03 EDT news707135222 A large international team has developed a new compound that showed strong antiviral activity against HIV, including some drug-resistant variants. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-compound-potential-drug-resistant-hiv.html Biochemistry Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:40:06 EDT news707125081 The confirmation of Australia's first mainland death of a mammal from bird flu last week highlights New Zealand's challenge in managing the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bird-flu-stay-nz-response.html Veterinary medicine Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:20:03 EDT news707117101 As multidrug antibiotic resistance emerges as a potent public health challenge, medical science has renewed attention on the potential for bacteriophage therapy. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that target, infect and replicate inside bacteria, destroying them in the process. To help maximize the success rate of this approach, researchers recently modeled the dynamics of bacteriophage therapy to explain particular therapies and optimize the composition of bacteriophage cocktails. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bacteria-hard-early-diverse-phage.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:40:03 EDT news707065621 The COVID vaccine is perhaps the first thing many people think of when they hear about mRNA-based drugs. Small packages of genetic material are sent into the body, prompting cells to produce useful proteins in the fight against the virus. But the list of diseases that can potentially be treated with mRNA-based drugs is much broader than vaccines. mRNA is expected to be used to treat disorders including cardiovascular diseases, rare hereditary diseases and autoimmune diseases—and not least, cancer. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-petri-dish-tomorrow-drugs-human.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:00:01 EDT news707054701 The deadly rabies virus was once common across Europe. A bite from an infected dog, wolf or fox could be fatal. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-iconic-australian-mammals-real-bird.html Plants & Animals Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:02 EDT news707031902 What does a clean room smell like? Many people say citrus, pine, or flowers because these fragrances are common in cleaning products. A research team led by Brandon Boor found that scent compounds in cleaning products—conventional and botanical essential oil-based—quickly react in the air, forming nanoparticles that can travel deep into the lungs if inhaled. To reduce exposure to this invisible pollution, the team suggests using unscented products, running exhaust fans, and avoiding ozone-generating devices while cleaning. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-scented-cleaners-nanoparticles-deep-lungs.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:00:03 EDT news706883273 Bats are anomalies in the mammalian world—they fly, have long lifespans and rarely get cancer. Scientists now suspect the bat immune system enables them to live longer without disease, according to a new study published today in Nature. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-dna-virus-defense-longevity-cancer.html Evolution Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:00:08 EDT news706874342 A small, nest-dwelling tick found across large parts of Texas could play an outsized role in how the United States responds to African swine fever (ASF) should the virus reach domestic or wild pigs. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-habitat-african-swine-fever-preparedness.html Ecology Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:20:01 EDT news706939621 Even as the scientific community has reached a broad consensus that infectious pathogens, such as viruses, can spread through virus-laden aerosols, one fundamental challenge remains: How can scientific evidence be transformed into public understanding—and ultimately into meaningful action for effective airborne disease control and prevention? https://phys.org/news/2026-08-animation-boosts-willingness-airborne-disease.html Social Sciences Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:40:01 EDT news706879153 Researchers are gauging the effectiveness of electron beams in the fight against foodborne pathogens in poultry. "Impact of Electron Beam (eBeam) Treatment on Meat Quality and Sensory Attributes of Ground Chicken and Turkey" is published in the journal Poultry Science. At the heart of the study is eBeam, a nonthermal technology that uses high-energy electron beams to cause irreparable damage to pathogen DNA. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-electron-poultry-pathogens-turkey-quality.html Biotechnology Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:00:01 EDT news706878602 Fibrinogen, the abundant plasma protein best known for forming blood clots, may play a second and far less benign role during SARS-CoV-2 infection: acting as a molecular bridge that simultaneously hides the virus from neutralizing antibodies and delivers it to the cells lining blood vessels. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-blood-clotting-protein-sars-cov.html Biochemistry Mon, 24 Aug 2026 20:00:01 EDT news706783360 A study conducted in the Swiss Alps by the University of Lausanne and the University of Milan shows that glacier retreat and changing vegetation could influence the spread of certain pathogens between honeybees and wild bees. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-glacier-retreat-diseases-bees.html Plants & Animals Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:20:02 EDT news706800363 Since the COVID-19 pandemic, developing surfaces that can inactivate viruses upon contact has become an important goal in public health care. Ideally, such surfaces would work on their own without requiring chemical disinfectants, so they could offer consistent protection in hospitals, public transportation and other shared spaces. This has driven scientists worldwide to search for durable antiviral materials that can be used in everyday surfaces. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-ball-milling-antiviral-inexpensive-inorganic.html Biochemistry Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:10:02 EDT news706804921 Antarctica is one of the driest, coldest places on Earth. Very little life survives its extremes. In the soils scattered around the frozen ice sheets, however, communities of microbes do survive. And one of the keys to their success is a surprisingly communal strategy. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-antarctic-bacteria-lifesupport-genes-survive.html Ecology Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:40:03 EDT news706789202 A new nanoparticle vaccine could one day give patients immunity to the flu with fewer trips to the doctor and without requiring health officials to correctly guess which flu strains will become dominant each year. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanoparticle-flu-vaccine-influenza-strains.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 24 Aug 2026 05:00:03 EDT news706523163 A citrus greening disease treatment rooted in more than a decade of research at Texas A&M AgriLife Research has reached a milestone on the path to commercial availability. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted unconditional registration to the novel therapy. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-spinach-peptide-discovery-citrus-greening.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:00:01 EDT news706507981 With the commercialization of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, research and development into the application of mRNA in vaccines and pharmaceuticals is accelerating. In particular, it is attracting attention not only in vaccines for preventing infectious diseases but also in cancer immunotherapy. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-temporary-liver-coating-safety-mrna.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:20:03 EDT news706445068 Hundreds of dead birds are now being reported as the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu begins to spread across Australia. Government reports show the virus is circulating in resident birds. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bird-flu-worst-australia-overseas.html Ecology Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:20:01 EDT news706437961 Australian wildlife workers have launched an unprecedented effort to vaccinate wild populations of little penguins against the highly contagious H5N1 avian influenza. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-australia-shield-penguins-h5n1-bird.html Plants & Animals Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:50:03 EDT news706418479 The research team led by materials scientist Ralf Busch from Saarland University is preparing for its first science-in-space mission. If everything goes to plan, from 31 August the researchers will spend one week remotely studying metallic-glass alloys in experiments carried out on board the International Space Station, ISS. Working with the European Space Agency, ESA, and the German Aerospace Center, DLR, the team will investigate the properties of these alloys using hot, levitating droplets. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-levitating-molten-metal-iss-refine.html Materials Science Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:20:01 EDT news706331686 A new study from researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has uncovered a previously unknown consequence of viral infection: Too much RNA inside a cell can disrupt its ability to produce energy. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-rna-starve-cells-energy.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:30:03 EDT news706379761 As antimicrobial resistance grows around the world, novel therapies to counter it become increasingly important. Phages—viruses that infect bacteria—are an exciting avenue of research in this regard, providing a means to selectively kill pathogenic bacteria, even those resistant to traditional antibiotics. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-viral-loose-cannon-enzyme-phages.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:20:04 EDT news706360571 Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan in collaboration with FUJIFILM have developed a novel way of delivering circular RNA (cirRNA) into cells, paving the way for longer-lasting mRNA-based therapeutics including cancer vaccines and GLP-1 obesity treatments. The research is published in Cell Biomaterials. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-lipid-nanoparticle-capped-circular-rna.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:00:21 EDT news706201501 Yesterday, I woke to a cold, damp Canberra morning—and silence. The trees around my home were empty of feathered silhouettes. Even the usual bright-eyed, warble-voiced magpies were absent. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-coasts-plains-bird-flu-threaten.html Plants & Animals Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:20:05 EDT news706267261 The recent announcement of novel, viable viruses created by artificial intelligence (AI) was celebrated as a major advance in the fight against antibiotic resistance. But it also raised urgent concerns about regulation. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-ai-biotechnology-faster-technology.html Biotechnology Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:20:09 EDT news706266902 A major push is underway to catch and vaccinate more than 5,000 little penguins in Victoria to protect them against the virulent H5N1 bird flu. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-penguins-vaxxed-bird-flu.html Ecology Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:40:05 EDT news706266782 Red blood cells serve as the foundation for nanocarriers that show promise in a new study as effective and efficient vehicles for gene therapy, tumor targeting and other medical treatments. Scientists at The Ohio State University have showed that the engineered extracellular vesicles could evade immune cells and target cancer cells, two capabilities that could improve the delivery of future therapies. The study is published in Advanced Healthcare Materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-red-blood-cells-generation-therapeutic.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:00:01 EDT news706192142 Bird flu is circulating among birds on the Australian mainland. So, with the confirmed number of detections growing, you may be wondering about the risk of birds infecting humans. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bird-flu-infecting-humans.html Veterinary medicine Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:40:03 EDT news706165741