physics

Map of Japan (left) and inset of Yakushima Island showing the Kohanayama research site in natural forests dominated by Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) (right). Credit: Biological Conservation (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110520 Yakushima Island, a world heritage site in Japan, is renowned for its rich biodiversity. The huge Japanese cedar (Yaku-sugi) forests, which are over a thousand … Read more

TabHLH489 and TaSnRK1α1 integrating BR and sugar signals to regulate wheat grain length. Credit: Xiao Jun Grain size plays a central role in determining wheat yield, and precise regulation of grain development has emerged as a key strategy for increasing yields in several staple crops such as rice and maize. However, the genetic basis and … Read more

Simulated configuration of the protein structure. Credit: Rice University Gas vesicles are hollow structures made of protein found in the cells of certain microorganisms, and researchers at Rice University believe they can be programmed for use in biomedical applications. “Inside cells, gas vesicles are packed in a beautiful honeycomb pattern. How this pattern is formed … Read more

CO2 capture strategy and surface structures of AA-augmented CuNWs. a Schematic of enhanced CO2-to-*CO conversion and *CO dimerization in cAA-CuNW for high-rate C2H4 production. b Redox of AA and DHA for CO2 capture. c Schematic illustration of surface modification of CuNWs with GQD, AA, and nanoconfined AA on GQDs. An ionomer is coated on the … Read more

Foxtail millet field in Aohan, Inner Mongolia. The location is close to Xinglonggou, one of the archaeological localities providing evidence of millet cultivation 8,000 years ago. 2023 was the International Year of Millets, as declared by the United Nations. Credit: Xinyi Liu Archaeologist Xinyi Liu at Washington University in St. Louis teamed up with Martin … Read more

Residents of the Canadian town of Saint-Elie-de-Caxton are upset with an explosion in mining claims, including under their own homes. Canada’s Quebec province is rich with minerals needed for everything from electric cars to cell phones, but residents living atop the potential windfall are worried their backyards will be dug up—and they won’t get a … Read more

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The US administration of President Joe Biden on Thursday announced further protections for endangered species and their habitats, restoring a set of regulations weakened by Donald Trump. The new rules were touted as evidence of Biden’s commitment to tackling climate change, though some environmental groups said the changes fell short of … Read more

Credit: CC0 Public Domain Boredom is more common at work than in any other setting, studies show, and employees are bored at work for more than 10 hours per week on average. Even astronauts and police officers get bored on the job. No occupation is immune. Boredom serves an important purpose—it signals the need to … Read more

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain At a time when America needs volunteers more than ever, to tackle social problems from homelessness to disaster recovery, fewer people have been volunteering. The number of volunteers for nonprofit and community-based organizations declined recently for the first time in decades, from 30% of the population in 2019 to 23% in … Read more

Credit: CC0 Public Domain Are family challenges distracting you at work, making your job feel demanding and stressful? You’re not alone. But for people who use their working memory, which helps them manage distractions, they can reduce the impact of family problems at work, according to a new study. Research by Oscar Ybarra, professor emeritus … Read more