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.

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.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

'Molecular compass' points way to reduction of animal testing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Machine learning models have become increasingly popular for risk assessment of chemical compounds. However, they are often considered 'black boxes' due to their lack of transparency. To increase confidence in these models, researchers proposed carefully identifying the areas of chemical space where these models are weak. They developed an innovative software tool for this purpose, and the results of this research approach have just been published.

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.

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

Gut microbial pathway identified as target for improved heart disease treatment      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have made a significant discovery about how the gut microbiome interacts with cells to cause cardiovascular disease. The study found phenylacetylglutamine (PAG), produced by gut bacteria as a waste product, then absorbed and formed in the liver, interacts with previously undiscovered locations on beta-2 adrenergic receptors on heart cells once it enters the circulation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology
Published

Researchers develop an instant version of trendy, golden turmeric milk      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

If you've visited a trendy cafe in the past few years, you might have noticed 'golden' turmeric milk on the menu. This fancy drink is caffeine-free, coffee-free and can even be vegan. And now, researchers have developed an efficient method to make a powdered, plant-based, instant version that maintains the beneficial properties of the ingredients while also extending its shelf life.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Key biofuel-producing microalga believed to be a single species is actually three      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When a global pandemic forced previous a graduate student out of the lab and onto the computer, he found a world of difference hidden in the long-studied species of Botryoccocus braunii -- and discovered that it isn't one species at all, but three.