How DNA recovered from pill surfaces could snare drug syndicates
Forensic scientists have for the first time shown that DNA can be recovered from the surface of capsules after just 15 seconds of contact by drug manufacturers and dealers—making it possible for law enforcement agencies to track down criminal syndi.....»»
Computer simulation explains mysterious rock patterns seen from Czech Republic to Mars
In geology, honeycombs are an intriguing pattern of small cavities on rock surfaces found in coastal regions, wet areas, deserts, and even on Mars. They are fascinating to look at in natural objects and a bane of historic buildings and monuments. Des.....»»
Worm that jumps from rats to slugs to human brains has invaded Southeast US
Multiple rats in Atlanta test positive for calamitous, rapidly spreading parasite. Adult female worm of Angiostrongylus cantonensis recovered from rat lungs with characteristic barber-pole appearance (anterior end of worm is to t.....»»
Machine-learning-boosted drug discovery with 10-fold time reduction
Boosting virtual screening with machine learning allowed for a 10-fold time reduction in the processing of 1.56 billion drug-like molecules. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland teamed up with industry and supercomputers to carry out on.....»»
Unveiling the science of ultrasound-driven microbubble desorption
Injecting drugs into the bloodstream can often harm healthy tissues as well. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are an innovative solution designed to target specific cells and minimize such side effects. One strategy for drug delivery that has steadily ga.....»»
Computational model helps with diabetes drug design
For diabetes patients who must give themselves frequent insulin injections, the risk of low blood sugar can be life-threatening. A potential solution is a type of engineered insulin that circulates in the body and springs into action only when needed.....»»
RNA has been recovered from an extinct species for the first time
A new study shows the isolation and sequencing of more than a century-old RNA molecules from a Tasmanian tiger specimen preserved at room temperature in a museum collection. This resulted in the reconstruction of skin and skeletal muscle transcriptom.....»»
Drug delivery platform leverages air-filled protein nanostructures and uses sound for targeting
Chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer is one of the major medical success stories of the 20th century, but it's far from perfect. Anyone who has been through chemotherapy or who has had a friend or loved one go through it will be familiar with its m.....»»
Weather observations from bombed battleships" logbooks help scientists understand climate change
Weather data from several ships bombed by Japanese pilots at Pearl Harbor has been recovered in a rescue mission that will help scientists understand how the global climate is changing......»»
Researchers find that millimeter structures improve liquid entrainment
In a study published in Science Advances, Chinese researchers have demonstrated the dynamics of liquid entrainment on solid surfaces with millimeter structures......»»
Natural compound found in plants inhibits deadly fungi
A new study finds that a natural compound found in many plants inhibits the growth of drug-resistant Candida fungi—including its most virulent species, Candida auris, an emerging global health threat. The journal ACS Infectious Diseases published t.....»»
Zwitterionic polymeric sulfur ylides: A new generation of antifouling and bactericidal materials
Bacteria that gather into biofilms on the surfaces of implants, catheters, breathing tubes, and other medical components are a serious health hazard. In the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a research team from the Netherlands has now.....»»
FDA approves and authorizes updated COVID boosters for everyone 6 months and up
The fall boosters target XBB.1.5 and have shown effective against current variants. Enlarge / The Food and Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak, Maryland. (credit: Getty | Congressional Quarterly) The Food and D.....»»
Updated COVID boosters get green light from FDA ahead of CDC review
The fall boosters target XBB.1.5 and have shown effective against current variants. Enlarge / The Food and Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak, Maryland. (credit: Getty | Congressional Quarterly) The Food and D.....»»
Researchers create optical device that can kill pathogens on surfaces while remaining safe for humans
While it has long been known that ultraviolet (UV) light can help kill disease-causing pathogens, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on how these technologies can rid environments of germs. However, the excimer lamps and LEDs that can directly.....»»
Novel membrane could reduce energy expenditure in separating molecules for desalination, drug development
Separating molecules is critical to producing many essential products. For example, in petroleum refining, the hydrocarbons—chemical compounds composed of hydrogens and carbons—in crude oil are separated into gasoline, diesel and lubricants by so.....»»
Synthesis of nanoparticles by microorganisms: Exploring the green power of fungi
They are used as medicines, drug carriers and to combat microbes in hospitals, destroy plant pathogens and reduce the amount of traditional fertilizers used in agriculture—nanoparticles are taking over medicine and the agri-food industry......»»
"Star Trek: Lower Decks" Season 4 review: This spoofing spinoff is one of the best sitcoms now streaming
Space: Still the funnest frontier. A review of "Star Trek: Lower Decks" Season 4. Be warned. Star Trek: Lower Decks is a gateway drug to the final frontier and its bold goings-on. Last summer, I championed this wacky animated spinoff, dreamed u.....»»
Federal health dept. says marijuana should be downgraded to Schedule 3 drug
If DEA accepts HHS's rescheduling recommendation, it could ease marijuana access. Enlarge / Marijuana plants in a greenhouse in Santa Cruz, California. (credit: Ian Philip Miller / Getty Images) As dozens of states have.....»»
Adapting Ritalin to tackle cocaine abuse
Cocaine use continues to be a public health problem, yet despite concerted efforts, no drugs have been approved to resolve cocaine addiction. Research suggests that the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) coul.....»»
Study finds how some ion channels form structures permitting drug delivery
A member of an important class of ion channel proteins can transiently rearrange itself into a larger structure with dramatically altered properties, according to a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine. The discovery is a significant ad.....»»