Bitter substances spoil the appetite of oak moth caterpillars
Trees have a huge arsenal of ways to keep the pests that attack them under control. In the course of evolution, for example, some English oaks (Quercus robur) have developed the ability to release volatile signaling substances when attacked by oak mo.....»»
Scientists investigate the sensory information hummingbird hawk moths rely on to control their proboscis
Just as when we humans reach for objects, the hummingbird hawk moth uses its visual sense to place its long proboscis precisely on a flower to search for nectar, according to a study by Konstanz biologists......»»
Study reveals ecological threat of trace organic pollutants in China"s wastewater effluents
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are good at cleaning up common pollutants but often miss tiny amounts of other harmful substances, known as trace organic pollutants......»»
Scientists show that quantum infrared spectroscopy can achieve ultra-broadband spectroscopic measurements
Our understanding of the world relies greatly on our knowledge of its constituent materials and their interactions. Recent advances in materials science technologies have ratcheted up our ability to identify chemical substances and expanded possible.....»»
"Forever chemicals" in German drinking water: A hidden threat unveiled
In a study published in Eco-Environment & Health, researchers screened German drinking water for 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This effort, notably supported by residents, marks a significant step in understanding the presence of PFA.....»»
Blue tit population booms with moths on the menu: Study
The importance of moth caterpillars for common garden birds has been revealed in a new study. Researchers have found that years when moth numbers were up resulted in increased population growth for the blue tit......»»
Piston Group"s bitter legal fight over minority certification nears the end
The dispute pits the country’s largest Black-owned auto supplier against the nonprofit tasked with certifying businesses as minority enterprises......»»
UAW, Detroit 3 must rebuild relationships after bitter strike, labor experts say
The UAW and automakers face a host of challenges that can only be overcome with positive working relationships, panelists at a Chicago Fed symposium said......»»
A cheap substitute for expensive metal in an industrially common chemical reaction
The chemical industry commonly uses rare, expensive metals to produce pharmaceuticals and other essential substances. Replacing these metals whenever possible with more abundant, cheaper substitutes would benefit environmental sustainability, lower c.....»»
Wear and tear may cause firefighter gear to release more "forever chemicals"
Last year, a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) showed that the textiles used in protective clothing worn by firefighters often contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a class of chemicals that has been l.....»»
Chemists find potential new drug for photodynamic cancer therapy
A modern alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is photodynamic therapy. It is used to treat cancer, skin diseases, and infectious diseases. The essence of the method is that light-sensitive substances are introduced into the blood, which accum.....»»
Researchers create light-powered yeast, providing insights into evolution, biofuels and cellular aging
You may be familiar with yeast as the organism content to turn carbs into products like bread and beer when left to ferment in the dark. In these cases, exposure to light can hinder or even spoil the process......»»
PFAS flow equally between Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, study finds
The frigid Arctic Ocean is far removed from the places most people live, but even so, "forever chemicals" reach this remote landscape. Now, research in Environmental Science & Technology Letters suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS.....»»
Researchers discover important membrane transport mechanism in pathogenic bacteria
Some bacterial membrane transporters work almost like freight elevators to transport substances through the cell membrane into the interior of the cell. The transporter itself spans the bacterial membrane. Like a forklift, a soluble protein outside t.....»»
Unraveling the evolutionary origins of umami and sweet taste preferences
The perception of taste is one of the most important senses and helps us identify beneficial foods and avoid harmful substances. For instance, our fondness for sweet and savory foods results from our need to consume carbohydrates and proteins. Given.....»»
Stinky, bitter, and painful: A novel insect repellent attacks multiple sensory pathways
Crop damage in agriculture and the transmission of vector-borne diseases by insect pests have become worldwide threats nowadays. Chemical treatments such as insecticides and repellents have been a significant strategy against insect pests for centuri.....»»
Photodynamic action weakens resistance to antibiotics in bacteria that attack airways
The development of antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially those that infect the airways, has been increasingly tricky, and some scientists have opted to try to weaken the bacteria so that the available therapeutic substances a.....»»
Examining the woollybear caterpillar as it makes its seasonal journey to overwinter
If you've been watching your step, there's a good chance you may have spotted some fuzzy black caterpillars inching their way across roads, sidewalks or yards over the past several weeks......»»
Attoscience unveils a light-matter hybrid phase in graphite reminiscent of superconductivity
X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an element-selective and electronic-state sensitive technique that is one of the most widely used analytical techniques to study the composition of materials or substances. Until recently, the method required arduous.....»»
Novel compounds show promise in the fight against tuberculosis and neurodegenerative disease
Prof. Bernd Plietker and his research group at the Chair of Organic Chemistry I at TUD have specifically developed a class of natural substances—polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinols (PPAP for short). Due to its properties, the resulting de.....»»
"Appetite for drumsticks": First prey found in a tyrannosaur stomach
Prey has been discovered inside the stomach of a tyrannosaur skeleton for the first time, scientists said Friday, revealing that the mighty dinosaurs had an "appetite for drumsticks" when they were young......»»