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How Bolsonaro's statements destroyed the rainforest
Science News

How Bolsonaro's statements destroyed the rainforest

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro contributed to deforestation through statements opposing forest conservation, according to an international study led by the University of Bonn. The study found that destruction of the Amazon rainforest accelerated when Bolsonaro and his ministers posted messages opposing forest conservation on Twitter. Brazil's environmental authorities were greatly weakened during Bolsonaro's presidency, but the analysis suggests that even a perceived low risk of punishment was a driver of deforestation. The researchers estimate that the statements contributed to the destruction of up to 1,700 square kilometers (660 square miles) of forest—almost double the area of...

📅 2026-09-29 00:20:01    •    Phys.org
When microbial DNA is scarce, new profiling method helps separate genuine signals from contamination
Science News

When microbial DNA is scarce, new profiling method helps separate genuine signals from contamination

In acute, life-threatening infections, rapidly characterizing the microorganisms in a patient sample can help guide diagnosis and treatment. Computational methods known as taxonomic profilers can analyze metagenome sequencing data generated from the microorganisms' genomic information and compare it with reference genomes of individual microorganisms. However, taxonomic profilers are still under development and are not yet in common use. Current methods can produce false-positive results or inaccurate abundance estimates.

📅 2026-09-29 00:00:01    •    Phys.org
Party leaders widening Washington's political chasm
Science News

Party leaders widening Washington's political chasm

Most of the polarization currently roiling Congress comes from political parties rather than individual politicians, a study co-authored by University of Miami Business School associate professor Chad Kendall finds.

📅 2026-09-28 23:40:01    •    Phys.org
Plasma treatment helps reveal how molecular coatings dope silicon
Science News

Plasma treatment helps reveal how molecular coatings dope silicon

Controlling dopant concentration near the silicon surface is increasingly important for ultrashallow junctions and nanoscale devices. Mixed monolayer doping (MMLD) offers a surface-chemistry-based approach in which dopant-containing molecules are mixed with nondopant molecules to tune the amount of dopant available at the silicon surface before thermal diffusion.

📅 2026-09-28 23:20:04    •    Phys.org
Two-color glowing molecule could make wind tunnel tests more accurate
Science News

Two-color glowing molecule could make wind tunnel tests more accurate

Most sensors can measure only one thing at a time, like a thermometer for temperature or a pressure gauge for pressure. Measuring two properties accurately from the same surface at the same moment usually means using two separate instruments—adding cost and complexity to the process.

📅 2026-09-28 23:20:02    •    Phys.org
Espionage boosted East Germany's economic output by 7.4%
Science News

Espionage boosted East Germany's economic output by 7.4%

East Germany's espionage activities in the West boosted the country's economic output by 7.4%. Value added in manufacturing alone increased by 22.3% through industrial espionage, equivalent to 20.2 billion East German marks or approximately 4.1 billion euros at 2020 prices.

📅 2026-09-28 23:00:07    •    Phys.org
Assembly pathway reveals how bacteria build protein coils that extend in acid
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Assembly pathway reveals how bacteria build protein coils that extend in acid

The assembly pathway behind refractile-body proteins may have finally been resolved, researchers from Science Tokyo report. Using genetic engineering and several techniques for analyzing protein structure, they investigated how four proteins work together to produce the correct architecture of these complex, pH-responsive protein machines, from the nanoscale to the microscale. The findings could help establish new frameworks for engineering dynamic protein systems as biotechnological tools.

📅 2026-09-28 22:40:01    •    Phys.org
Avian odysseys: Tracking raptor migrations from Europe to Africa
Science News

Avian odysseys: Tracking raptor migrations from Europe to Africa

At the southwest tip of Sweden, the Falsterbo Peninsula stretches into the Baltic Sea, creating a natural bottleneck for hundreds of millions of birds traveling south for the winter each year. Falsterbo is particularly known for raptor migration. One autumn morning, I stood with a group of others by the lighthouse, watching birds gather to cross the open sea—a sight to take your breath away.

📅 2026-09-28 22:20:06    •    Phys.org
European rivers are improving, but not fast enough to meet 2030 goals
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European rivers are improving, but not fast enough to meet 2030 goals

The quality of European rivers has improved in recent years, but not at the pace required to meet the environmental targets set for 2030. This is one of the main conclusions of a study led by researchers María Pachés Giner and Remedios Martínez from the Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

📅 2026-09-28 22:20:01    •    Phys.org