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

An appetizer can stimulate immune cells' appetite, a boon for cancer treatments      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The body has a veritable army constantly on guard to keep us safe from microscopic threats from infections to cancer. Chief among this force is the macrophage, a white blood cell that surveils tissues and consumes pathogens, debris, dead cells, and cancer. Macrophages have a delicate task. It's crucial that they ignore healthy cells while on patrol, otherwise they could trigger an autoimmune response while performing their duties.

Energy: Technology Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

Engineers bring efficient optical neural networks into focus      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have published a programmable framework that overcomes a key computational bottleneck of optics-based artificial intelligence systems. In a series of image classification experiments, they used scattered light from a low-power laser to perform accurate, scalable computations using a fraction of the energy of electronics.

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

A new mechanism for shaping animal tissues      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A key question that remains in biology and biophysics is how three-dimensional tissue shapes emerge during animal development. Research teams have now found a mechanism by which tissues can be 'programmed' to transition from a flat state to a three-dimensional shape.

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

Largest protein yet discovered builds algal toxins      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

While seeking to unravel how marine algae create their chemically complex toxins, scientists have discovered the largest protein yet identified in biology. Uncovering the biological machinery the algae evolved to make its intricate toxin also revealed previously unknown strategies for assembling chemicals, which could unlock the development of new medicines and materials.

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

Machine learning approach helps researchers design better gene-delivery vehicles for gene therapy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Gene therapy could potentially cure genetic diseases but it remains a challenge to package and deliver new genes to specific cells safely and effectively. Existing methods of engineering one of the most commonly used gene-delivery vehicles, adeno-associated viruses (AAV), are often slow and inefficient. Now, researchers have developed a machine-learning approach that promises to speed up AAV engineering for gene therapy. The tool helps researchers engineer the protein shells of AAVs, called capsids, to have multiple desirable traits, such as the ability to deliver cargo to a specific organ but not others or to work in multiple species. Other methods only look for capsids that have one trait at a time.

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

Bacteria encode hidden genes outside their genome--do we?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A 'loopy' discovery in bacteria is raising fundamental questions about the makeup of our own genome -- and revealing a potential wellspring of material for new genetic therapies.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Achieving quantum memory in the hard X-ray range      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Physicists have used Doppler-shifted nuclear resonant absorbers to form a nuclear frequency comb, enabling a quantum memory in the notoriously difficult X-ray range.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

How do butterflies stick to branches during metamorphosis?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Most of us learned about butterfly metamorphosis as a kid -- a wriggly caterpillar molts its skin to form a tough chrysalis and emerges as a beautiful butterfly. But how exactly do chrysalises stay anchored as the butterfly brews within? Research shows that, despite their silks being weak and thin on their own, caterpillars can expertly spin them into chrysalis support structures resembling hook-and-loop fasteners and multi-strand safety tethers.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Physics: Optics
Published

3D laser printing with bioinks from microalgae      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Microalgae such as the diatom Odontella aurita and the green alga Tetraselmis striata are especially suitable as 'biofactories' for the production of sustainable materials for 3D laser printing due to their high content in lipids and photoactive pigments. An international research team has succeeded for the first time in manufacturing inks for printing complex biocompatible 3D microstructures from the raw materials extracted from the microalgae.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Biology: Zoology Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Researchers make breakthrough in understanding species abundance      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The key finding was that temperature and genome size, not body size, had the greatest influence on the maximum population growth rate of the diatoms. Yet body size still mattered in colder latitudes, conserving Bermann's Rule.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

New technology uses light to engrave erasable 3D images      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers invented a technique that uses a specialized light projector and a photosensitive chemical additive to imprint two- and three-dimensional images inside any polymer. The light-based engraving remains in the polymer until heat or light are applied, which erases the image and makes it ready to use again. The technology is intended for any situation where having detailed, precise visual data in a compact and easily customizable format could be critical, such as planning surgeries and developing architectural designs.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General
Published

Researchers crack a key celiac mystery      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An interdisciplinary team of medical and engineering researchers has spent the last six years working to unlock a significant piece of the puzzle in the search for a cure: how and where the gluten response begins.

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

Microscopy technique 'paves way' for improving understanding of cellular functions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed a new way of counting labelled proteins in living cells that could become a standard and valuable tool in the field of biomedical research.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

Artificial compound eye to revolutionize robotic vision at lower cost but higher sensitivity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team has recently developed a novel artificial compound eye system that is not only more cost-effective, but demonstrates a sensitivity at least twice that of existing market products in small areas. The system promises to revolutionize robotic vision, enhance robots' abilities in navigation, perception and decision-making, while promoting commercial application and further development in human-robot collaboration.

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

Viral defense protein speeds up female stem cell production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A viral defense mechanism can be used to accelerate the creation of female stem cell lines in mice. The findings can boost efforts in medical research, drug testing, and regenerative therapies, particularly for women and individuals with two X chromosomes.

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

Do smells prime our gut to fight off infection?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In nematodes and humans, mitochondrial stress in the nervous system initiates a whole-body response that is most pronounced in the gut. A recent study showed that in nematodes, the odor of a pathogen triggers the nervous system to broadcast this response to the rest of the organism, prepping mitochondria in intestinal cells to fight a bacterial infection. Humans, too, may be able to sense pathogenic odors that prepare the gut for an infection.