“Zinc Sparks” – A Biological Fireworks Show 300 Million Years in the Making
Scientists using the Advanced Photon Source show how ‘zinc sparks’ — the showers of zinc ions released by mammalian eggs immediately after fertilization — also…
Biochemistry
Using Biodegradable Nanoparticles to Shut Down the Power Stations of Cancer Cells
New biodegradable nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy that enter cancer cells and ‘shut down’ their mitochondria power stations co-designed by TU/e researchers. An emerging nanomedicine cancer…
Kids Are Using Soft Drinks to Fake Positive COVID-19 Tests – Here’s the Science and How to Spot It
Children are always going to find cunning ways to bunk off school, and the latest trick is to fake a positive COVID-19 lateral flow test…
New Molecule Discovered in Chestnut Leaves Disarms Dangerous Staph Bacteria
Scientists isolated a molecule, extracted from the leaves of the European chestnut tree, with the power to neutralize dangerous, drug-resistant staph bacteria. Frontiers in Pharmacology…
Ancient Diamonds Show Earth Was Primed for Life’s Explosion of Diversity at Least 2.7 Billion Years Ago
A unique study of ancient diamonds has shown that the basic chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere which makes it suitable for life’s explosion of…
New Forensics Method to Identify Dirt on Criminals Can Lead to Prosecution
Scientists have taken the first steps in developing a new method of identifying the movements of criminals using chemical analysis of soil and dust found…
Natural Human Molecule Identified That Blocks Toxic Forms of Parkinson’s-Related Protein
Researchers at the UAB and the UniZar have identified a human peptide found in the brain that blocks the α-synuclein aggregates involved in Parkinson’s disease…
Protein “Big Bang” Reveals Molecular Makeup for Medicine and Bioengineering Applications
Proteins have been quietly taking over our lives since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We’ve been living at the whim of the virus’s so-called “spike” protein,…
Analysis of Thousands of Drugs Reveals Potential New COVID-19 Antivirals
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and University of Dundee have screened thousands of drug and chemical molecules and identified a range of potential antivirals…
Uncovering the Mysteries of Milk: Using Genomic Data to Profile the Living Cells in Human Breast Milk
PhD student Sarah Nyquist applies computational methods to understudied areas of reproductive health, such as the cellular composition of breast milk. Sarah Nyquist got her…
No Lab Required: New DNA-Based Technology Can Diagnose Infections in Minutes
Patients will be able to receive confirmed diagnosis at the doctor’s office. The idea of visiting the doctor’s office with symptoms of an illness and…
New Research Uncovers Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners – Potentially Leading to Serious Health Issues
Sweeteners could cause gut bacteria to invade the intestine. New research has discovered that common artificial sweeteners can cause previously healthy gut bacteria to become…
Toxicity of Protein Involved in Alzheimer’s Triggered by Chemical “Switch”
Spotlight on amino acids causing tau protein toxicity might lead to new therapies. Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered that a specific chemical feature…
Quantum Birds: Breakthrough Discovery on Mechanism of Magnetic Sensing in Birds
Humans perceive the world around them with five senses — vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Many other animals are also able to sense the…
Genetically Modified Yeast To Efficiently Make Biofuels From Discarded Plant Matter
The new system streamlines the process of fermenting plant sugar to fuel by helping yeast survive industrial toxins. More corn is grown in the United…
Strange Biology: The Very Venomous Caterpillar
The venom of a caterpillar, native to South East Queensland, shows promise for use in medicines and pest control, Institute for Molecular Bioscience researchers say….
Fusion of Artificial Intelligence and Nanopore Technology: Passing the COVID Test in Just Five Minutes
Researchers at Osaka University develop a new highly sensitive test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that utilizes a fusion of artificial intelligence and nanopore technology which…
Scientists Discover a New Genetic Mutation That Distinguishes Modern Humans From Neanderthals
Skoltech scientists and their colleagues from Germany and the United States have analyzed the metabolomes of humans, chimpanzees, and macaques in muscle, kidney, and three…