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. A new study suggests that babies are able to distinguish between the different objects they see around them at 2 months old, which is earlier than scientists previously thought. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-month-olds-world-complex-scientists.html Other Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:50:02 EST news689258624 Adults think we know what is best for children. We have responsibility for them—feeding them, clothing them, educating them, protecting them, loving them—but we also assume rights over them, and on their behalf. Adults make rules (including laws and policies) about what children can and cannot do. We expect children to behave according to our rules. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-children-views-rarely-sought.html Social Sciences Sun, 15 Feb 2026 18:00:02 EST news689870186 A scientific breakthrough not only promises faster testing for antimicrobial resistance, but also an ethical solution to the controversial issue of using rodents in research. University of Exeter scientists have created the world's first genetically engineered wax moths—a development which could both accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and significantly reduce the need for mice and rats in infection research. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-moths-mice-antimicrobial-resistance.html Plants & Animals Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:00:03 EST news689874961 Polymer micelles are tiny, self-assembled particles that are revolutionizing the landscape of drug delivery and nanomedicine. They form when polymer chains containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments organize into nanoscale spheres in liquid solutions; these structures can trap and hold drugs that are otherwise difficult to dissolve. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-unveiling-polymeric-interactions-critical-future.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:40:08 EST news689862052 In nanoscale particle research, precise control and separation have long been a bottleneck in biotechnology. Researchers at the University of Oulu have now developed a new method that improves particle separation and purification. The promising technique could be applied, for example, in cancer research. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-microfluidic-method-boosts-tiny-particles.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:00:01 EST news689875262 Climate change and evolving growing conditions present new challenges for breeding. It is important to take local environmental conditions into account. An international team led by the IPK Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research has used AI and big data to develop a method of determining which winter wheat varieties are best suited to specific locations. The study's results have been published in the journal Genome Biology. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-tailor-wheat-ai-big.html Molecular & Computational biology Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:00:21 EST news689871601 A new study conducted at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) shows that grassland-based grazing systems—currently covering a third of Earth's surface and representing the world's largest production system—will see a severe contraction as global temperatures rise. Depending on the scenario analyzed, 36–50% of the land with suitable climatic conditions for grazing today will experience a loss of viability by 2100, affecting more than 100 million pastoralists and up to 1.6 billion grazing animals. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-climate-halve-areas-suitable-cattle.html Ecology Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:00:03 EST news689848625 A novel study uncovers how a subtle chemical tweak transforms the naturally occurring phytotoxin into a powerful molecular glue, 12-deoxyfusicoccin (12-dFC), that locks 14-3-3 proteins onto the intrinsically disordered translational repressor GIGYF2 in human cells. Through integrated proteomic, biochemical, and functional analyses, the work reveals an AMPK-driven stress pathway that 12-dFC exploits to shut down protein synthesis, rewire metabolism, and halt cell proliferation, pointing to an unexpected and promising strategy for targeting cancer cells. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-chemically-molecular-action-deoxyfusicoccin-repressor.html Biochemistry Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:40:04 EST news689870099 Historical injustices such as slavery and colonialism are not just matters of the past but active forces shaping present-day inequality and development, according to new legal research published in a leading African human rights volume. A new co-authored chapter by Mr. Olusegun Gbede, law lecturer at the University of East London, and Dr. Olalekan Bello, of the University of Leicester, argues that the economic and social legacies of historical exploitation continue to influence contemporary outcomes in African states and should be addressed through broader frameworks of justice and restoration. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-reparations-highlights-roots-african-inequality.html Social Sciences Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:01:17 EST news689860802 For people who have been quietly struggling with doubts about their relationship, the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day can feel fraught. As Feb. 14 approaches, questions that were once easy to sidestep often become harder to ignore. In a study that tracked romantic couples over a year, relationships were about 2.5 times more likely to end during the two weeks surrounding Valentine's Day than during the fall or spring. When researchers accounted for relationship length, prior relationship history, and gender, the odds of a breakup during this window were more than five times higher. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-valentine-day-relationship-reckoning.html Social Sciences Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:57:56 EST news689860562 From dyes to pharmaceuticals to emulsifiers—ethylamine (EA) is a versatile component used in many industries. The downside of EA is that its production is terribly complicated and energy intensive. However, it is not a simple task to simplify EA production in a way that can also be scaled up to industrial levels. Researchers at Tohoku University's WPI-AIMR may have found an answer to this problem. Rare earth Eu atoms were modified on Cu2O nanoneedles to produce a catalyst (Eu-Cu2O) that can increase the efficiency of the chemical reaction that produces EA. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-sustainable-electrosynthesis-ethylamine-industrial-scale.html Analytical Chemistry Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:30:02 EST news689503052 In medicine, security, nuclear safety and scientific research, X-rays are essential tools for seeing what remains hidden. The materials used to create X-ray detectors can be rigid, expensive and laborious to produce. But new research led by FSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Biwu Ma is creating lower-cost, adaptable materials that could revolutionize X-ray detection technologies. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-hybrid-ray-detectors.html Materials Science Sat, 07 Feb 2026 10:00:09 EST news689521033 Public sector organizations in emerging economies could improve their performance and resilience by taking a more systematic approach to knowledge management, according to a review in the International Journal of Business Excellence. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-knowledge-boosts-sector-emerging-economies.html Economics & Business Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:30:07 EST news689349981 With the departure of the research vessel Polarstern from Punta Arenas (Chile) scheduled for this weekend, the "Summer Weddell Sea Outflow Study" (SWOS) international expedition will commence. Up to early April, a multidisciplinary international research team will investigate the northwestern region of the Weddell Sea—an area of central importance for the global climate and ocean system, but one that can only be explored on site by research icebreakers such as Polarstern due to challenging sea ice conditions. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-polarstern-weddell-sea-probe-antarctica.html Earth Sciences Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:00:01 EST news689607734 When and how quickly can ecosystems "tip" and how will they develop in the future? Researchers from the University of Potsdam, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the Technical University of Munich have developed a new method for measuring how close an ecosystem is to a catastrophic tipping point. They are applying their findings to predict glacier surges, as well as rapid changes in other ecosystems. They have now published their study in Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-glacier-surges-ecological.html Earth Sciences Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:30:01 EST news689608546 Technological advances over the past four decades have turned mobile devices and computers into the world's largest library, where information is just a tap away. Phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches—they're a part of everyday life, simplifying access to entertainment, information, and each other. Ongoing advancements in generative artificial intelligence are giving these technologies even more of an edge. Whether someone asks their device where dinosaurs lived or how accelerated their pulse is, AI can get the information quicker than technology has ever been able to do. Accuracy, on the other hand, is still in question. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-neanderthals-gap-generative-ai-scholarly.html Archaeology Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:40:01 EST news689608386 A team of ocean and climate researchers is calling for a new generation of carefully designed ocean iron fertilization (OIF) field trials to determine whether this marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) method can safely and effectively leverage a natural ocean process to pull the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere. The paper, which is published in Dialogues on Climate Change, argues that larger, longer studies with rigorous monitoring and clear "go/no-go" safeguards are needed to accurately assess OIF as a potential long-term CO2 storage solution to help mitigate human-induced climate change. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-scientists-outline-case-generation-ocean.html Environment Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:30:03 EST news689518692 Conventional wisdom is that waiting in a queue online or in a physical line involves a certain cost for people and organizations. Rational analysis has largely based its queue management predictions on remaining wait time, or how long someone has left to wait. Much of the planning around the design of queues is based on this factor. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-reveals-people-lines.html Social Sciences Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:40:16 EST news689528139 Recently, a research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully grew a high-entropy garnet-structured oxide crystal and achieved enhanced laser performance at the 2.8 μm wavelength band. By introducing a high-entropy design into a garnet crystal system, the team obtained a wide emission band near 2.8 μm and continuous-wave laser output with improved average power and beam quality, demonstrating the material's strong potential as a high-performance gain medium for mid-infrared ultrashort-pulse lasers. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-high-entropy-garnet-crystal-enables.html Optics & Photonics Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:01:34 EST news689526062 In 2025, Hawaiʻi experienced its second-driest year in more than a century, alongside persistently above-average temperatures throughout the year—a stark reality detailed in the inaugural Hawai'i Annual Climate Report 2025. Published by the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program, this first-of-its-kind report uses plain language, along with easy-to-interpret maps and figures, to summarize statewide rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions over the past year. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-hawaii-driest-warmest.html Environment Thu, 05 Feb 2026 13:00:03 EST news689518711 As federal policymakers weigh potential changes to how biomedical research is funded and regulated in the United States, a Virginia Tech scientist highlights the importance of preserving the nation's ability to turn discovery into life-saving therapies. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-commentary-urges-technology-biomedicine.html Biotechnology Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:00:01 EST news689488482 When the International Space Station comes back to Earth in 2030, it will mark the end of three decades of peaceful international cooperation—and an era when space became central to our daily lives. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-iss-era-global-cooperation.html Space Exploration Thu, 05 Feb 2026 04:30:01 EST news689487659 Scientists at Rutgers University–Newark have developed a first-of-its-kind RNA-based nanotechnology that assembles itself inside living human cells and can be programmed to stop propagation of harmful cells. The findings, recently published in Nature Communications, represent a major breakthrough in biomedical research. The researchers are now in the midst of testing the technology on human cancer cells as a potential cure for the disease but have not yet finished the study or published results. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-scientists-rna-nanotechnology-cells-path.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:02:13 EST news689428861 New research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows how many tropical cities are predicted to warm faster than expected under 2°C of global warming. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-temperature-cities-faster-2c.html Environment Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:40:02 EST news689421866 Gene regulation is far more predictable than previously believed, scientists conclude after developing the deep learning model PARM. This might bring an end to a scientific mystery: how genes know when to switch on or off. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-gene-experimental-elegance-ai.html Biotechnology Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:00:15 EST news689416321 Keeping up with the latest research is vital for scientists, but given that millions of scientific papers are published every year, that can prove difficult. Artificial intelligence systems show promise for quickly synthesizing seas of information, but they still tend to make things up, or "hallucinate." https://phys.org/news/2026-02-ai-openscholar-scientific-cites-sources.html Other Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:00:13 EST news689420235 A new briefing paper produced by the London Social Media Observatory (LSMO) at Royal Holloway and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) details emerging risks to democratic participation on TikTok. The LSMO and WFD brought together 45 policymakers, academics, civil society representatives and strategic advisors at a roundtable discussion to explore what the risks are and how they can be mitigated. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-paper-outlines-tiktok-moderation-policies.html Political science Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:07:43 EST news689422021 In South and West Dallas, initiatives like Restorative Farms have turned vacant lots into hubs for fresh produce, job training, and sustainable practices such as hydroponics—helping combat food deserts and build local food networks. More complex than small community gardens, urban farms can help tackle food insecurity and create jobs, especially in underserved areas. But systemic challenges, such as funding gaps and overcoming environmental and soil contamination, can make sustainability challenging. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-term-partnerships-sustainable-urban-farming.html Environment Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:10:01 EST news689338656 A new paper proposes a systems-level framework for evaluating the trustworthiness of research findings across methods and approaches. The paper, titled "A Framework for Assessing the Trustworthiness of Research Findings," is authored by a multidisciplinary group of research leaders with expertise in metascience, research integrity and assessment, and science communication. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-framework-pillars-trustworthiness.html Other Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:40:01 EST news689355936 Plastic pollution is causing severe problems worldwide. However, negotiations at the United Nations in Geneva last August did not result in the expected global plastics treaty. On 7 February 2026, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution will reconvene in Geneva to elect a new chairperson. In order to secure an agreement, the new chairperson must urgently reform INC procedures, argue researchers. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-global-plastics-treaty-success.html Environment Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:29:43 EST news689358548