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

New technique reveals how gene transcription is coordinated in cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers invented a technique that allows them to observe which genes and enhancers are active in a cell at the same time. This could help them determine which enhancers control which genes and may reveal potential new drug targets for genetic disorders.

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

Father's diet before conception influences children's health      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent study provides new insights into how fathers' diets and overweight can affect their children's health even before conception. The findings of the study can help develop preventive health measures for men wishing to become fathers: The healthier the father's diet, the lower the risk for their children to develop obesity or diseases such as diabetes later in life.

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

Exercising during pregnancy normalizes eating behaviors in offspring from obese mice      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Maternal obesity impacts the eating behaviors of offspring via long-term overexpression of the microRNA miR-505-5p, according to a new study.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology
Published

An anti-inflammatory curbs spread of fungi causing serious blood infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Study finds that mesalamine, a common anti-inflammatory drug, can fight the fungus Candida albicans in the gut, potentially preventing the risk of invasive candidiasis in patients with blood cancers.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Offbeat: General
Published

A new way of designing auxetic materials      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Auxetics defy common sense, widening when stretched and narrowing when compressed. Researchers have now made the process of using them much easier, paving the way for new types of auxetic products -- from better sneaker insoles to blast-resilient buildings.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Sea Life Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
Published

Small, but smart: How symbiotic bacteria adapt to big environmental changes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Lucinid clams, inconspicuous inhabitants of the seafloor and one of the most diverse group of animals in the ocean, rely on symbiotic bacteria for their survival. Researchers now reveal the evolutionary journey of these tiny tenants. Faced with a drastically changing environment following the closure of the Isthmus of Panama, they acquired new metabolic skills to enable their own survival. Understanding the adaptive strategies of bacteria provides insight into their potential responses to challenging environmental changes, such as those caused by human activities.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General
Published

Towards next-gen functional materials: direct observation of electron transfer in solids      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Nanoscale electron transfer (ET) in solids is fundamental to the development of multifunctional materials. However, ET in solids is not yet clearly understood. Now, researchers achieved a direct observation of solid-state ET through X-ray crystal analysis by fabricating a novel double-walled non-covalent crystalline nanotube, which can absorb electron donor molecules and maintain its crystalline structure during ET. This innovative approach can lead to the design of novel functional materials soon.

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

Observing ultrafast photoinduced dynamics in a halogen-bonded supramolecular system      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers uncover how the halogen bond can be exploited to direct sequential dynamics in the multi-functional crystals, offering crucial insights for developing ultrafast-response times for multilevel optical storage.

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

New light shed on circadian rhythms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Circadian clocks, which drive circadian rhythms, are entwined with many essential systems in living things including plants, fungi, insects, and even humans. Because of this, disruptions to our circadian clocks are linked to higher disease rates in humans, including certain cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Oral nucleoside antiviral is progressing toward future pandemic preparedness      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Obeldesivir (GS-5245), a novel investigational small molecule oral antiviral, represents a new tool in the ongoing effort to prepare for future pandemics.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Transition-metal-free zeolite catalyst for direct conversion of methane to methanol      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol is dominated by transition- or noble-metal-based catalysts, thus making the reaction quite expensive. To make the process efficient and cost-effective, researchers developed a transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that can produce methanol by using methane and nitrous oxide as starting materials. The new catalyst ensures excellent methanol production efficiency, one of the highest recorded rates in the literature thus far.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General
Published

Scientists develop 'x-ray vision' technique to see inside crystals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has created a new way to visualize crystals by peering inside their structures, akin to having X-ray vision. Their new technique -- which they aptly named 'Crystal Clear' -- combines the use of transparent particles and microscopes with lasers that allow scientists to see each unit that makes up the crystal and to create dynamic three-dimensional models.

Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: General Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Fungus breaks down ocean plastic      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A fungus living in the sea can break down the plastic polyethylene, provided it has first been exposed to UV radiation from sunlight. Researchers expect that many more plastic degrading fungi are living in deeper parts of the ocean.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Antibodies may aid effort to fight influenza B      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have isolated human monoclonal antibodies against influenza B, a significant public health threat that disproportionately affects children, the elderly and other immunocompromised individuals.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: General
Published

This self-powered sensor could make MRIs more efficient      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

MRI scans are commonly used to diagnose a variety of conditions, anything from liver disease to brain tumors. But, as anyone who has been through one knows, patients must remain completely still to avoid blurring the images and requiring a new scan. A prototype device could change that. The self-powered sensor detects movement and shuts down an MRI scan in real time, improving the process for patients and technicians.

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

Researchers discover 'trojan horse' virus hiding in human parasite      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team has found a new RNA virus that they believe is hitching a ride with a common human parasite. The virus is associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, leading the team to hypothesize that it exacerbates toxoplasmosis disease.

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

The world's most powerful anti-fungal chemistries cause fungal pathogens to self-destruct      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered that the most widely-used class of antifungals in the world cause pathogens to self-destruct. The research could help improve ways to protect food security and human lives.

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

New, modified CRISPR protein can fit inside virus used for gene therapy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed a novel version of a key CRISPR gene-editing protein that shows efficient editing activity and is small enough to be packaged within a non-pathogenic virus that can deliver it to target cells.