Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

First visualization of valence electrons reveals fundamental nature of chemical bonding      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The distribution of outermost shell electrons, known as valence electrons, of organic molecules was observed for the first time. As the interactions between atoms are governed by the valence electrons, the findings shine light on the fundamental nature of chemical bonds, with implications for pharmacy and chemical engineering.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Quality control: Neatly arranging crystal growth to make fine thin films      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have succeeded in forming metal-organic framework thin films on a substrate while controlling the growth direction of crystals so that they are arranged neatly without gaps. The resulting thin films of unprecedented high quality can be expected for use as optical sensors, optical elements, and transparent gas adsorption sheets.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics
Published

Survival tactics: AI-driven insights into chromatin changes for winter dormancy in axillary buds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Epigenetics confers a survival advantage in plants to endure harsh weather by inducing bud dormancy. Environmental factors or intrinsic signals trigger the transition between growth and dormancy. Researchers explore the role of chromatin and transcriptional changes in the bud and further analyze data using artificial intelligence models. The findings of this study highlight epigenetic strategies to overcome the effects of short winters during global warming for plant survival.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

'DNA scavengers' can stop some antibiotic resistance from spreading      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

For nearly a century, scientists have waged war on antibiotic-resistant microbes. Researchers say they've found a new way to prevent it -- by unleashing 'DNA scavengers' in wastewater treatment plants.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Unlocking the last lanthanide      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of scientists was recently able to observe how promethium forms chemical bonds when placed in an aqueous solution.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Engineered Bacteria make thermally stable plastics similar to polystyrene and PET      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Bioengineers around the world have been working to create plastic-producing microbes that could replace the petroleum-based plastics industry. Now, researchers have overcome a major hurdle: getting bacteria to produce polymers that contain ring-like structures, which make the plastics more rigid and thermally stable. Because these molecules are usually toxic to microorganisms, the researchers had to construct a novel metabolic pathway that would enable the E. coli bacteria to both produce and tolerate the accumulation of the polymer and the building blocks it is composed of. The resulting polymer is biodegradable and has physical properties that could lend it to biomedical applications such as drug delivery, though more research is needed.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Benefits and downside of fasting      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers identified a signaling pathway in mice that boosts intestinal stem cells' regeneration abilities after fasting. When cancerous mutations occurred during this regenerative period, mice were more likely to develop early-stage intestinal tumors.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Self-repairing mitochondria use novel recycling system      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly identified identified cellular mechanism allows mitochondria to recycle localized damage and maintain healthy function.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General
Published

Molecular wires with a twist      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed molecular wires with periodic twists. By controlling the lengths of regions between twists, the electrical conductivity of individual polymer chains can be enhanced. This work may lead to novel organic electronics or single-molecule wires.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Compound in rosemary extract can reduce cocaine sensitivity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has discovered that an antioxidant found in rosemary extract can reduce volitional intakes of cocaine by moderating the brain's reward response, offering a new therapeutic target for treating addiction.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Molecular
Published

Researchers teaching artificial intelligence about frustration in protein folding      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have found a new way to predict how proteins change their shape when they function, which is important for understanding how they work in living systems. While recent artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made it possible to predict what proteins look like in their resting state, figuring out how they move is still challenging because there is not enough direct data from experiments on protein motions to train the neural networks.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Mother's gut microbiome during pregnancy shapes baby's brain development      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study in mice has found that the bacteria Bifidobacterium breve in the mother's gut during pregnancy supports healthy brain development in the fetus.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

How early-life antibiotics turn immunity into allergy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have shown how and why the depletion of microbes in a newborn's gut by antibiotics can lead to lifelong respiratory allergies. The research team identified a specific cascade of events that lead to allergies and asthma, opening many new avenues for exploring potential preventions and treatments.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

New worm study paves way for better RNA-based drugs to treat human disease      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered RNA mechanisms that may lead to more effective, durable and targeted treatments for conditions like high cholesterol, liver diseases and cancers.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Molecular Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Deadly sea snail toxin could be key to making better medicines      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists are finding clues for how to treat diabetes and hormone disorders in an unexpected place: a toxin from one of the most venomous animals on the planet.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

A new reaction to enhance aromatic ketone use in chemical synthesis      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers develop a one pot process to transform aromatic ketones to esters, offering advancements in pharmaceutical synthesis and materials science.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Investigating the interplay of folding and aggregation in supramolecular polymer systems      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed photoresponsive supramolecular polymers that can undergo both intrachain folding and interchain aggregation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

Scientists discover new code governing gene activity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly discovered code within DNA -- coined 'spatial grammar' -- holds a key to understanding how gene activity is encoded in the human genome. This breakthrough finding revealed a long-postulated hidden spatial grammar embedded in DNA. The research could reshape scientists' understanding of gene regulation and how genetic variations may influence gene expression in development or disease.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Nature Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Researchers uncover the secrets of 'plant puberty'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified the genetic changes linked to why plants go through a developmental change similar to 'puberty' at different rates, a discovery which could lead to better crop nutrition.