Biologists sequence proteins by pulling them through nanopores
A team of chemical biologists at the University of Washington, working with colleagues at Oxford Nanopore Technologies, has developed a protein sequencing process that involves pulling proteins through nanopores in a lipid membrane. Their paper is pu.....»»
Biologists find nanoplastics in developing chicken heart
Nanoplastics can accumulate in developing hearts, according to a study published in Environment International by biologist Meiru Wang from Leiden University. Her research on chicken embryos sheds new light on how these tiny plastic particles pose a t.....»»
New approach uses "cloaked" proteins to deliver cancer-killing therapeutics into cells
An interdisciplinary collaboration has designed a way to "cloak" proteins so that they can be captured by lipid nanoparticles, which are akin to tiny bubbles of fat. These bubbles are small enough to sneak their hidden cargo into living cells, where.....»»
Florida fossil porcupine solves a prickly dilemma 10 million years in the making
There's a longstanding debate simmering among biologists who study porcupines. There are 16 porcupine species in Central and South America, but only one in the United States and Canada. DNA evidence suggests North America's sole porcupine belongs to.....»»
Sweet secrets of the bayberry: Genetic insights set to transform fruit quality
The Chinese bayberry, Myrica rubra, is a subtropical fruit highly valued for its distinctive flavor, nutritional benefits, and economic importance. However, previous genome assemblies lacked sequence continuity, hindering comprehensive genetic studie.....»»
How the agri-food industry tried to influence revamp of Canada"s Food Guide
In 2019, Health Canada published an updated version of Canada's Food Guide. Its recommendations include drinking more water, eating more plant-based proteins, limiting the intake of highly processed foods, and cooking more meals at home......»»
On repeat: Biologists observe recurring evolutionary changes, over time, in stick insects
A long-standing debate among evolutionary scientists goes something like this: Does evolution happen in a predictable pattern or does it depend on chance events and contingency? That is, if you could turn back the clock, as celebrated scientist Steph.....»»
Researchers reconstruct genome of extinct species of flightless bird that once roamed the islands of New Zealand
A team of evolutionary biologists at Harvard University, working with colleagues from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, East Carolina University, Osaka University and the University of Toronto, has reconstructed the genome of an e.....»»
Researchers reveal dynamic structure of FLVCR proteins and their function in nutrient transport
It is known that malfunctions of the proteins FLVCR1 and FLVCR2 lead to rare hereditary diseases in humans that cause motor, sensory and neurological disorders. However, the biochemical mechanisms behind this and the physiological functions of the FL.....»»
Scientists develop novel approach to interrogate tissue-specific protein–protein interactions
Multicellular organisms, like animals and plants, have complex cells with diverse functions. This complexity arises from the need for cells to produce distinct proteins that interact with each other. This interaction is crucial for cells to carry out.....»»
Proteins modified in lungs offer clues to biological functions of bromine
Researchers at the Center for Research on Redox Processes in Biomedicine (Redoxome) in Brazil have identified extracellular matrix proteins modified by the action of hypobromous acid in normal and fibrotic lung tissues, suggesting a possible physiolo.....»»
Math discovery provides new method to study cell activity, aging
New mathematical tools revealing how quickly cell proteins break down are poised to uncover deeper insights into how we age, according to a recently published paper co-authored by a Mississippi State researcher and his colleagues from Harvard Medical.....»»
Biologists show the only "lungless" frog species does indeed have lungs
A trio of marine biologists at the University of Florida's Florida Museum of Natural History has found that the frog species Barbourula kalimantanensis, previously thought to be the only species of frog without lungs, does indeed have them......»»
Biologists discover caterpillars are able to sense electrostatic fields generated by predators
Sam England and Daniel Robert, biologists at the University of Bristol, report that at least three types of caterpillars are capable of sensing and responding to an electrostatic field generated by a predator......»»
Biologists travel with their mobile laboratory to study a wide range of mitochondrial functions in avian migration
For Wendy Hood and Geoffrey Hill in Biological Sciences, Andreas Kavazis in Kinesiology, and their team, Emma Rhodes, Paulo Mesquita, and Jeff Yap, traveling the country to unlock the mystery of mitochondria in migrating aviary species has allowed th.....»»
Using hybrid nanotubes to enhance cancer treatment with intracellular protein delivery
The intracellular delivery of proteins is an important technique for unveiling the cellular functions, protein complex structure, and therapeutics. However, conventional delivery methods have several limitations......»»
Study reveals how a sugar-sensing protein acts as a "machine" to switch plant growth—and oil production—on and off
Proteins are molecular machines, with flexible pieces and moving parts. Understanding how these parts move helps scientists unravel the function a protein plays in living things—and potentially how to change its effects. Biochemists at the U.S. Dep.....»»
Bacterial proteins shed light on antiviral immunity
A unique collaboration between two UT Southwestern Medical Center labs—one that studies bacteria and another that studies viruses—has identified two immune proteins that appear key to fighting infections. The findings, published in PLOS Pathogens.....»»
Ambitious goal to sequence RNA could boost US economy
A chemist who leads the University of Cincinnati's Office of Research is playing a role in a scientific undertaking to unlock the secrets of RNA......»»
Heating proteins to body temperature reveals new drug targets
Some proteins shift their shape when exposed to different temperatures, revealing previously unknown binding sites for medications, new research has found......»»
Research shows that "softer" proteins can cross into the nucleus quicker
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and King's College London have discovered that how soft or rigid proteins are in certain regions can dictate how fast or slow they enter the nucleus......»»