Showing 20 articles starting at article 1421
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Categories: Biology: Biochemistry, Energy: Alternative Fuels
Published Uncovering the secrets behind the silent flight of owls
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Owls produce negligible noise while flying. While many studies have linked the micro-fringes in owl wings to their silent flight, the exact mechanisms have been unclear. Now, a team of researchers has uncovered the effects of these micro-fringes on the sound and aerodynamic performance of owl wings through computational fluid dynamic simulations. Their findings can inspire biomimetic designs for the development of low-noise fluid machinery.
Published Complex green organisms emerged a billion years ago
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Of all the organisms that photosynthesize, land plants have the most complex form. How did this morphology emerge? A team of scientists has taken a deep dive into the evolutionary history of morphological complexity in streptophytes, which include land plants and many green algae. Their research allowed them to go back in time to investigate lineages that emerged long before land plants existed.
Published New research guides mathematical model-building for gene regulatory networks
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A newly published study provides guidance for building accurate mathematical models for gene regulatory networks.
Published Shallow soda lakes show promise as cradles of life on Earth
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A field study shows how phosphate can concentrate in environments known as 'soda lakes' at the very high levels needed for the basic molecules of life to emerge. A shallow, salty lake in western Canada gives new support to Charles Darwin's idea that life could have emerged in a 'warm little pond.'
Published Planetary Commons: Fostering global cooperation to safeguard critical Earth system functions
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Tipping elements of the Earth system should be considered global commons, researchers argue. Global commons cannot -- as they currently do -- only include the parts of the planet outside of national borders, like the high seas or Antarctica. They must also include all the environmental systems that regulate the functioning and state of the planet, namely all systems on Earth we all depend on, irrespective on where in the world we live. This calls for a new level of transnational cooperation, leading experts in legal, social and Earth system sciences say. To limit risks for human societies and secure critical Earth system functions they propose a new framework of planetary commons to guide governance of the planet.
Published Tiny worm, giant leap: Discovery of highly specific fatty acid attachment to proteins
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In a world where the intricacies of molecular biology often seem as vast and mysterious as the cosmos, a new groundbreaking study delves into the microscopic universe of proteins, unveiling a fascinating aspect of their existence. This revelation could hold profound implications for the understanding and treatment of a myriad of human diseases.
Published New sustainable method for creating organic semiconductors
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a new, more environmentally friendly way to create conductive inks for use in organic electronics such as solar cells, artificial neurons, and soft sensors. The findings pave the way for future sustainable technology.
Published Wolves and elk are (mostly) welcome back in Poland and Germany's Oder Delta region, survey shows
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An online survey conducted in Germany and Poland shows that large parts of the participants support the return of large carnivores and herbivores, such as wolves and elk, to the Oder Delta region. Presented with different rewilding scenarios, the majority of survey participants showed a preference for land management that leads to the comeback of nature to the most natural state possible. Locals, on the other hand, showed some reservations.
Published Don't overeat: How archaea toggle the nitrogen-uptake switch
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source By tightly regulating nitrogen uptake, microorganisms avoid overeating nitrogen and thus wasting energy. Scientists now reveal how some methanogenic archaea manage to do so.
Published Breakthrough research enhances stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A research team has achieved remarkable advancements in the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
Published Endless biotechnological innovation requires a creative approach
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists working on biological design should focus on the idiosyncrasies of biological systems over optimization, according to new research.
Published Single-celled kamikazes spearhead bacterial infection
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source You suddenly feel sick -- pathogenic bacteria have managed to colonize and spread in your body! The weapons they use for their invasion are harmful toxins that target the host's defense mechanisms and vital cell functions. Before these deadly toxins can attack host cells, bacteria must first export them from their production site -- the cytoplasm -- using dedicated secretion systems.
Published For this beetle, 'date night' comes every other day
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Life on Earth runs on a 24-hour cycle as the planet turns. Animals and plants have built-in circadian clocks that synchronize metabolism and behavior to this daily cycle. But one beetle is out of sync with the rest of nature. A new study looks at a beetle with a unique, 48-hour cycle.
Published A window into plant evolution: The unusual genetic journey of lycophytes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An international team of researchers has uncovered a remarkable genetic phenomenon in lycophytes, which are similar to ferns and among the oldest land plants. Their study reveals that these plants have maintained a consistent genetic structure for over 350 million years, a significant deviation from the norm in plant genetics.
Published Remodeling the immune system to fight tuberculosis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) kills upwards of 1.6 million people a year, making it one of the leading causes of death by an infectious agent worldwide -- and that number is only growing larger. How, exactly, Mtb evades the immune system isn't yet known, but a collaborative team of researchers recently discovered something surprising: prior exposure to a genus of bacteria called Mycobacterium seems to remodel the first-line defenders in the body's immune system.
Published Scientists, farmers and managers work together to avoid the decline of the little bustard, an endangered steppe bird
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The collaboration between scientists, farmers and managers is crucial to improve the protection of the little bustard, an endangered steppe-land bird in Spain due to human activity. The reduction of natural habitats, the increase in irrigation and the urbanization of the land have led to having less surface areas that guarantee the survival of this vulnerable species.
Published Butterflies could lose spots as climate warms
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Female meadow brown butterflies have fewer spots if they develop in warmer weather -- so climate change could make them less spotty, new research shows.
Published Machine learning method speeds up discovery of green energy materials
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a framework that uses machine learning to accelerate the search for new proton-conducting materials, that could potentially improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells.
Published DNA construction led to unexpected discovery of important cell function
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have used DNA origami, the art of folding DNA into desired structures, to show how an important cell receptor can be activated in a previously unknown way. The result opens new avenues for understanding how the Notch signalling pathway works and how it is involved in several serious diseases.
Published New technique visualizes mechanical structure of the cell nucleus
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The cell nucleus is considered to be the control center of vital cellular processes, but its material properties continue to puzzle scientists. An international research team has now developed a new technique that provides a previously unattainable view of the mechanical properties inside this control center. For the first time, it has been possible to visualize over time its peculiar dynamic structural features in living cells, which appear to be crucial for cell function.