How salt can taste sweet: The myriad mechanisms of taste perception
Humans perceive five basic taste sensations: sweet, umami, bitter, salty, and sour. Specific foods trigger taste recognition of these sensations through the activation of different receptors in our taste buds. In the case of table salt, the concentra.....»»
The roles played by Indigenous Peoples in biodiversity conservation
Indigenous Peoples play an indisputable and critical role in the conservation of the planet's biodiversity. Their lands and livelihoods sustain life in myriad forms. However, a study by researchers at the ICTA-UAB published in Nature concludes that t.....»»
Human "molecular map" contributes to the understanding of disease mechanisms
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar (WCM-Q) have created an intricate molecular map of the human body and its complex physiological processes based on the analysis of thousands of molecules in blood, urine and saliva samples from 391 volunt.....»»
Researchers reveal the mechanisms behind cobalt X-ide electrocatalysts
The unsung heroes of electrochemical reactions—electrocatalysts—can assist in optimizing factors such as the reaction's speed, yield, and energy consumption. As such, these electrocatalysts are crucial for optimizing large-scale production in the.....»»
Carbohydrate polymers could be a sweet solution for water purification
Water polluted with heavy metals can pose a threat when consumed by humans and aquatic life. Sugar-derived polymers from plants remove these metals but often require other substances to adjust their stability or solubility in water......»»
Unlocking plant defense: Bacterial hijacking exposed
Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum poses a severe threat to agriculture worldwide, affecting numerous crops. The pathogen's arsenal of type III effectors (T3Es) enables it to manipulate host defense mechanisms, aiding infection. One majo.....»»
Could alternative meat meet a growing demand?
Inside a UC Davis engineering lab, tiny round pellets swirl in a brown liquid inside a 5-liter glass tank. The tank, a bioreactor, is brewing edible fungi high in protein and designed to look and taste like meat......»»
From challenge to champion: How Black and Asian women overcome barriers to career success
Black and Asian women are severely underrepresented in senior leadership positions in the UK. The obstacles they face, for example being overlooked or underestimated, often result in a perception that career success is beyond their reach. It's no sur.....»»
Scientists learn how to drug wily class of disease-causing enzymes
UCSF scientists have discovered how to target a class of molecular switches called GTPases that are involved in a myriad of diseases from Parkinson's to cancer and have long been thought to be "undruggable.".....»»
Uncovering the unique roles of Exportin-5 in RNA export within Drosophila cells
Eukaryotic cells are complex biological units, each with multiple membrane-bound compartments. These cells use specialized mechanisms to export biomolecules from their synthesis site to where they function......»»
Why do materials get stronger when they are deformed? Research sheds light on universal mechanisms of work hardening
The earliest blacksmiths in the Bronze and Iron Ages figured out that when they deformed metal through bending or hammering, it became stronger. This process, known as work or strain hardening, is still used widely in metallurgy and manufacturing tod.....»»
Just how dangerous is Great Salt Lake dust? New research looks for clues
As Utah's Great Salt Lake shrinks, exposing more of its playa, concerns grow about the dust the dry lakebed emits. But scientists lack the data to fully understand what pollutants are present in these airborne sediments......»»
Chinese migrants flock to Mexico in search of jobs, a future and, for some, a taste of freedom
Chinese migrants flock to Mexico in search of jobs, a future and, for some, a taste of freedom.....»»
What"s up with high food prices? Economists assess factors causing food prices to fluctuate
The latest consumer inflation report indicates that grocery prices have stabilized, yet the perception of high food costs lingers for many......»»
Temperature fluctuations significantly affect dragonfly perception, study shows
University of Adelaide researchers and collaborators from Lund University in Sweden have made a breakthrough in understanding how dragonflies' brains work......»»
Assorted, distinctive behavior of molten uranium salt revealed by neutrons
In a paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers have documented for the first time the unique chemistry dynamics and structure of high-temperature liquid uranium trichloride (UCl3) salt, a potential nuclear fuel sour.....»»
Critical flaw in Zyxel’s secure routers allows OS command execution via cookie (CVE-2024-7261)
Zyxel has patched a myriad of vulnerabilities in its various networking devices, including a critical one (CVE-2024-7261) that may allow unauthenticated attackers to execute OS commands on many Zyxel access points (APs) and security routers by sendin.....»»
Research uncovers new strategy for salt-resistant poplar
Salt stress disrupts plant growth by impairing ion balance and reducing water uptake, posing a significant challenge to agriculture and forestry. Maintaining sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) balance is particularly vital in woody plants like poplar, w.....»»
Unveiling the molecular mechanisms linking aging with neurodegenerative diseases
Aging is the prime cause of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. But what exactly increases the prevalence of these brain disorders as one grows older? The molecular forces l.....»»
Perception and deception in times of crisis: Characteristics of messages and sources that allow information to spread
The COVID-19 pandemic not only gave us a global health crisis but also an infodemic, a term coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe the overwhelming flood of information—both accurate and misleading—that inundated media channels.....»»
Double-peaked supernovae offer clues to pre-supernova outbursts
New research helps in understanding the evolution and final stages of massive stars, the role of binary interactions, and the mechanisms behind mass loss, which ultimately affect the properties of the resulting supernova and its remnant. This work al.....»»