Cells use concentration gradients as a compass
Biophysicists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munch have developed a new theory, which accounts for the observation that cells can perceive their own shapes, and use this information to direct the distribution of proteins inside the cell......»»
Aerosols shown to increase size of cloud cells, causing greater radiative cooling under polluted conditions
Aerosols, often emitted alongside greenhouse gases, can brighten clouds and cause significant cooling. However, the uncertainty associated with aerosol–cloud interactions (ACIs) is large and potentially significant enough to mask a sizable portion.....»»
Egg cell maintenance: Long-lived proteins may be essential for fertility
Female mammals—including humans—are born with all of their egg cells. Of a woman's one to two million egg cells, about 400 mature before menopause and can be fertilized. Some egg cells therefore survive for several decades—and need to remain fu.....»»
First set of rational design principles for chaotropic membrane transporters
The challenge of internalizing impermeable molecules into cells persists in drug development, particularly concerning water-soluble bioactive compounds that cannot diffuse across the cell membrane. To overcome this problem, various artificial transpo.....»»
New strategies proposed for protecting thermal barrier coatings against environmental sediment corrosion
Lei Guo and others from Tianjin University in China discovered that the environmental sediments on the surface of aero engine turbine blades have a significant concentration of Fe, surpassing even the levels of Mg, Al, and Ca in certain zones. Conseq.....»»
Study reveals how stress pathways activate a cell"s emergency response procedures
Mayday! SOS! Distress signals like these are used around the world to indicate an emergency. The cells that make up your body also have their own versions of emergency signals. These get activated if a cell is infected by a virus or bacteria, or if t.....»»
New probe reveals water-ice microstructures
Ice is believed to have played a crucial role in the emergence of life. One reason is that organic molecules can be excluded into the gaps between the crystal lattice by orderly arranged water molecules, leading to the concentration of organic compou.....»»
"Vaults" within germ cells offer more than safekeeping
Maternal messenger RNAs (mRNAs), located within the cytoplasm of an immature egg, are crucial for jump starting development. Following fertilization, these mRNAs are passed onto the zygote, the first newly formed cell......»»
A closer look at cell toxins: Researchers examine how radionuclides interact with kidney cells
When radionuclides enter our organism, whether by inhalation, ingestion, or through wounds, they pose a potential health risk. Many previous studies on radionuclide exposure have focused mainly on animal experiments. However, we have little data on t.....»»
A combination of multicore magnetic nanoparticles and chemotherapy drugs achieves greater efficacy against cancer cells
The path to a cure for cancer is not unique, as the disease is an extremely complex process. Multiple factors are involved in the process of effectively eliminating a tumor and therefore, being able to have different strategies against cancer is key.....»»
Exploring the molecular basis of how pradimicin A binds to viral N-glycan, a potential SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitor
HIV, Ebola and most recently, COVID-19 viruses have had an enormous impact on our societies world-wide. All these viruses are "enveloped viruses," viruses that have an exterior envelope that surrounds them largely composed of their host's cells. This.....»»
New mRNA technology turns cells into long-lasting drug factories
A team of researchers has established a ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based method that drives cells in the body to produce therapeutic proteins and secrete them into the bloodstream. The approach could potentially extend the lifespan of drugs in the body,.....»»
A new way to see viruses in action: Super-resolution microscopy provides a nano-scale look
A new, nano-scale look at how the SARS-CoV-2 virus replicates in cells may offer greater precision in drug development, a Stanford University team reports in Nature Communications. Using advanced microscopy techniques, the researchers produced what m.....»»
Q&A: How to make sustainable products faster with artificial intelligence and automation
By modifying the genomes of plants and microorganisms, synthetic biologists can design biological systems that meet a specification, such as producing valuable chemical compounds, making bacteria sensitive to light, or programming bacterial cells to.....»»
New modified CRISPR protein can fit inside virus used for gene therapy
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. Hongjian Wang and colleagues a.....»»
Jeep to build Wagoneer S EV in Mexico
Jeep's first full EV in the U.S. and Canada will be built at the Toluca Assembly Plant alongside the Compass. It's expected to reach dealerships in the U.S. and Canada this fall......»»
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.....»»
A change of direction: Research reveals a new method to manipulate cell movement in embryos
As embryos grow from conception to birth, cells multiply rapidly and move in a highly organized manner to create the skeleton, organs and other crucial systems. But how do cells know to move in precisely the right direction at the right time to creat.....»»
Researchers reveal how acetylation regulates centromere dynamics, chromosome segregation and mitotic progression
Cell division produces new cells, which underpin life proliferation and development. Mitosis is the shortest and the most dynamic phase of the cell cycle. During mitosis, chromosomes are evenly distributed between the two daughter cells, preserving t.....»»
Observing mammalian cells with superfast soft X-rays
Researchers have developed a new technique to view living mammalian cells. The team used a powerful laser, called a soft X-ray free electron laser, to emit ultrafast pulses of illumination at the speed of femtoseconds, or quadrillionths of a second......»»
Droplets that swim toward dissolution could inspire fluid microbots
Researchers discovered that microscopic liquid droplets swim toward solvent conditions that favor their dissolution. This mechanism may underlie some transport processes within living cells, and could be exploited to develop fluid micro robots......»»