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.....»»
How lake ice formation influences transformation of dissolved organic matter
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the main form and active component of natural organic matter in lakes. Microbial- and photo-degradation of DOM can release large amounts of small molecule organic acids and biogenic substances......»»
Nanofluidic devices offer solutions for studying single molecule chemical reactions
In a chemical reaction, molecules in different substances meet one another to form new molecules causing changes in the bonds of their atoms. The molecules collide at an extremely close distance—a nanometer or less—in an extremely short amount of.....»»
Mapping DNA damage from exposure to a compound in cigarette, industrial smoke
People are occasionally exposed to potentially harmful substances in the environment or through their diets or habits. For example, a compound found in cigarette and industrial smoke, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), is known to damage DNA. Now, researchers rep.....»»
Novel quantum detection method for in-situ sensitive magnetic measurement under high pressure
Substances exhibit many novel properties under high pressure, for example, pressure can induce insulator-metal or even superconductor transitions. However, in-situ magnetic measurement is always a difficult problem in high pressure research and restr.....»»
Non-invasive imaging of spatiotemporal ion distribution across cell membranes
The cell membrane has numerous channels for the transport of various substances, including ions, between the cell and its environment. Ion transport determines the ion exchange rate (or the transmembrane transport coefficient), which, in turn, contro.....»»
Study reveals toxic effects of perfluoroether carboxylic acids exposure
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a class of chemicals, are known for their hydrophobicity, lipophobicity, and thermal stability. Since the 1950s, they have been widely used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products......»»
New antioxidants found in beef, chicken and pork
Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs), which are abundant in meat and fish, are substances produced in the bodies of various animals, including humans, and have been reported to be effective in relieving fatigue and preventing dementia. However, the physiologi.....»»
Newly discovered components of Dendrolimus pini sex pheromone
Beyond the seven mountains and forests, a hungry beast was stealing away. Does this sound like a fairy tale? In reality, such a beast does exist. It is the caterpillar of the nocturnal pine-tree lappet moth (Dendrolimus pini, L.), which feeds on pine.....»»
Viewpoint: Gold mining is one of the world"s most destructive and unnecessary industries—here"s how to end it
The 16th-century King Ferdinand of Spain sent his subjects abroad with the command: "Get gold, humanely if possible, but at all hazards, get gold." His statement rings true today. Gold remains one of the world's most expensive substances, but mining.....»»
A method for analyzing tiny, complex crystals
The atomic structure of solid substances can often be analyzed quickly, easily and very precisely using X-rays. However, this requires that crystals of the corresponding substances exist. Chemist Professor Oliver Oeckler from Leipzig University and h.....»»
Mexican jumping beans exhibit diffusive motion, study finds
A pair of physicists at Seattle University has found that the path taken by Mexican jumping beans is random and benefits the moth larvae they contain. Devon McKee and Pasha Tabatabai became curious about the movements of Mexican jumping beans and dec.....»»
Study: Mexican jumping beans use random walk strategy to find shade
It's not the fastest strategy, but it maximizes the likelihood of success. Enlarge / Mexican jumping beans are actually seed pods from a shrub native to Mexico with moth larvae living inside. (credit: Devon McKee and A. Pasha Tab.....»»
Musk defeats Tesla shareholder suit over 2018 "funding secured" tweets
The outcome is a bitter loss for the shareholders who sought to recoup trading losses from fluctuations in Tesla shares after Musk posted the messages. Musk abandoned the take-private plan about two weeks after his initial tweets......»»
Analyzing the relationship between olive roots and Verticillium wilt
A new method developed at the University of Córdoba has tested how substances secreted by the roots of olive trees impact infection by the Verticillium dahliae fungus, and studied its effects on different varieties of olive trees.....»»
Renault and Nissan hammer out historic deal to salvage alliance
Pact aims to close bitter chapter following arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn in 2018. Enlarge (credit: Lightrocket via Getty Images) Renault and Nissan have hammered out a historic deal to salvage their troubled 24-yea.....»»
A method to change the mechanical and transport properties of conductive polymers
Conductive polymers, synthetic substances with large molecules that can conduct electricity, can have a broad range of valuable applications. For instance, they have been used to create sensors, light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics and various other.....»»
Chatterboxes: Researchers develop new model that shows how bacteria communicate
When bacteria interact, they give off cellular signals that can trigger a response in their neighbors, causing them to behave in different ways or produce different substances. For example, they can communicate to coordinate movement away from danger.....»»
An online tool can help researchers synthesize millions of molecules
Enzymes are substances that cause chemical reactions. Certain types of enzymes, such as polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetases, have the ability to shuffle their parts, allowing them to produce new chemicals. If scientists can unde.....»»
Economics trump environment to save large carnivores, say ecologists
Rapid economic growth has pushed rare species of big carnivores to the brink of extinction, but ecologists have suggested our appetite to once again live alongside big cats is increasing......»»
Research into a means of in-body transport for cancer medicines
In a study, Bayreuth junior professor Dr. Meike Leiske has demonstrated which properties polymers should have in order to reach only certain cells. In the future, this should enable active substances to reach cancer cells directly and avoid the healt.....»»