Exploring Huntington"s disease: Researchers discover that protein aggregates poke holes in the nuclear membrane
Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands have identified a new way in which the toxic protein aggregates associated with Huntington's disease may damage nerve cells and cause them to die......»»
Molecular gardening: New enzymes discovered for protein modification pruning
Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are enzymes used by cells to trim protein modifications made from the protein ubiquitin, and thereby regulate proteins. Malfunctioning of DUBs could lead to diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders......»»
Reflected moonlight found to make barn owls less visible to prey
A team of biology and optics researchers affiliated with a host of institutions in Spain has found that the unique undercoating of the barn owl helps to make it less visible to prey when flying under the moon and starlit skies......»»
New software unlocks secrets of cell signaling, showing realistic simulations
Researchers at University of California San Diego have developed and tested a new software package, called Spatial Modeling Algorithms for Reactions and Transport (SMART), that can realistically simulate cell-signaling networks—the complex systems.....»»
A user manual for yeast"s genetic switches: Researchers provide three design principles
When introducing genes into yeast to make it produce drugs and other useful substances, it is also necessary to reliably switch the production on or off. A Kobe University team found three gene regulation design principles that provide a flexible gui.....»»
Researchers develop edible biofilm for extending fruit shelf life
With significant improvements in transportation technology, the accessibility of fresh food has considerably increased. However, this progress has been accompanied by escalating concerns about food waste during transportation and storage. Globally, a.....»»
Distant blazar discovery supports rapid black hole formation in the early universe
Astronomers have discovered an important piece of the puzzle of how supermassive black holes were able to grow so quickly in the early universe: a special kind of active galactic nucleus so distant that its light has taken more than 12.9 billion year.....»»
Rocket-inspired reaction yields carbon with record surface area
Using a chemical reaction inspired by rocket fuel ignition, Cornell researchers have engineered a nanoporous carbon with the highest surface area ever reported, a breakthrough that is already proving beneficial for carbon-dioxide capture and energy s.....»»
NASA finds "sideways" black hole using legacy data and new techniques
NASA researchers have discovered a perplexing case of a black hole that appears to be "tipped over," rotating in an unexpected direction relative to the galaxy surrounding it. That galaxy, called NGC 5084, has been known for years, but the sideways s.....»»
Nonlinear "skin effect" unveiled in antiferromagnetic materials
A team of researchers has identified a unique phenomenon, a "skin effect," in the nonlinear optical responses of antiferromagnetic materials. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, provides new insights into the properties of these mater.....»»
Study finds aquatic vegetation removal benefits health and economy
Turning aquatic vegetation near agricultural land into compost simultaneously eradicates habitat for disease-carrying snails while improving agricultural output and increasing incomes in northern Senegal, Cornell researchers have found......»»
Researchers identify 35 new lizard species on Caribbean islands
A new scientific study from Temple University's College of Science and Technology (CST) has identified 35 new species of forest lizards, all from islands in the Caribbean. However, that same study has also found that these species of lizards won't be.....»»
Antineutrino detection gets a boost with novel plastic scintillator
How do you find and measure nuclear particles, like antineutrinos, that travel near the speed of light?.....»»
Researchers explore, sample and interpret lunar volatiles in polar cold traps
The moon has both a South and North Pole, but just how cold are they? For context, Antarctica's coastal temperatures average around 14°F (-10°C), while the interior drops to -76°F (-60°C), making Earth's South Pole one of the coldest places on th.....»»
Astronaut-on-a-chip: Multi-organ tissue chips simulate space radiation"s impact on human health
As astronauts venture further into space, their exposure to harmful radiation rises. Researchers from Columbia University are simulating the effects of space radiation here on Earth to determine its impact on human physiology using multi-organ tissue.....»»
New method maps hundreds of proteins in cell nuclei simultaneously
Caltech researchers have developed a new method to map the positions of hundreds of DNA-associated proteins within cell nuclei all at the same time. The method, called ChIP–DIP (Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation Done In Parallel), is a versatile tool f.....»»
Researchers address material challenges to make commercial fusion power a reality
Imagine if we could take the energy of the sun, put it in a container, and use it to provide green, sustainable power for the world. Creating commercial fusion power plants would essentially make this idea a reality. However, there are several scient.....»»
Potentially harmful bacteria can slip through antimicrobial showerheads, study finds
To guard against harmful waterborne pathogens, many consumers, including managers of health-care facilities, install antimicrobial silver-containing showerheads. But in ACS ES&T Water, researchers now report that these fixtures are no "silver bullet......»»
Fluorination strategy unlocks graphene"s potential for optoelectronic and energy applications
Researchers from Tohoku University and collaborators have developed a weak fluorination strategy to address the zero-bandgap limitation of graphene. Details of the research were published in the journal Applied Physics Letters......»»
Nano drug delivery system eliminates need for complicated carriers
A team of University of Melbourne researchers from the Caruso Nanoengineering Group has created an innovative drug delivery system with outstanding potential to improve drug development......»»
Azo-menthol: New molecule can regulate ion channels using light
Located in the cell membrane, TRPM8 ion channels are known as receptors that recognize cold and respond to menthol, the cooling agent in peppermint. In addition, these channels influence pain perception and play a key role in numerous diseases. This.....»»