Human muscle cells come back from space, look aged
Astronauts' muscles atrophy in space, but we can identify the genes involved. Enlarge / Muscle atrophy is a known hazard of spending time on the International Space Station. (credit: NASA) Muscle-on-chip systems are thr.....»»
Wireless antennas harness light to decode cellular communication signals
Monitoring electrical signals in biological systems helps scientists understand how cells communicate, which can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like arrhythmia and Alzheimer's......»»
Structural analysis reveals how human eyelashes promote water drainage
Throughout human evolution, body and facial hair have notably diminished, yet eyelashes have remained a distinguishing feature. The physiological or functional purpose of eyelashes—traditionally thought to be for catching dust or filtering air—ha.....»»
Discovery of enzyme pathway may lead to lifesaving leishmaniasis treatments
A breakthrough in understanding how a single-cell parasite makes ergosterol (its version of cholesterol) could lead to more effective drugs for human leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that afflicts about 1 million people and kills about 30,000 peopl.....»»
Inequality weakens local governance and public satisfaction, study finds
Local governments in developing countries are crucial for providing public services that promote human development and address challenges like extreme weather, unemployment and crumbling infrastructure. Yet, they often face difficulties in implementi.....»»
Report analyzes long history of NASA support for commercial space
NASA published a new report on Thursday highlighting 17 agency mechanisms that have directly and indirectly supported the development and growth of the U.S. commercial space sector for the benefit of humanity......»»
Mitigating animal-vehicle collisions with field sensors, AI and ecological modeling
Collisions between animals and vehicles are a threat to conservation efforts and human safety, and have a massive cost for transport infrastructure managers and users......»»
Biosensors mimic human olfactory system to discriminate between very similar odors
The human olfactory system discriminates between thousands of odors by interacting specifically with olfactory receptors on sensory neurons. Each receptor can detect several odorants at different intensities, and the same odorant can activate more th.....»»
Genetically encoded biosensors measure living cells" charge in real time
Biological cells have many vital functions in the organism. For example, they produce proteins, carbohydrates and fats. But they are also responsible for detoxifying harmful molecules and transmitting signals and immune defense steps. A so-called red.....»»
Scientists steer the development of stem cells to regenerate and repair organs
Investigators from Cedars-Sinai and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have identified a new way to deliver instructions that tell stem cells to grow into specific bodily structures, a critical step in eventually regenerating and repa.....»»
The technosphere: A hidden long-term carbon sink in everyday items
We know a lot about how much fossil-derived carbon is emitted to the atmosphere but less about how much is stored in human-made products......»»
Programming cells: New RNA tool enhances precision in synthetic genetic circuits
Researchers have successfully developed a modular synthetic translational coupling element (SynTCE), significantly enhancing the precision and integration density of genetic circuits in synthetic biology. Their study was recently published in the jou.....»»
Growing safer spuds: Removing toxins from potatoes
Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in space and other extreme environments......»»
Gateway: Wired for deep space
A maze of cables and sensors snakes through a major piece of Gateway, humanity's first space station around the moon, during a key testing phase earlier this year to ensure the lunar-orbiting science lab can withstand the harsh conditions of deep spa.....»»
Episode One Projector review: Cheap and compact, with consequences
Episode One is a small, budget projector that delivers the features you'd expect, but it has weaknesses in brightness and audio.Episode One Projector reviewA small projector simply saves space. They're great to have in dorms, apartments, and other sm.....»»
Molecular tool demonstrates how bad eggs are identified for destruction by reproductive system
The biological factory that produces reproductive cells has a robust quality control system to identify and eliminate eggs with chromosomal abnormalities. For years, cell biologists have sought to uncover the mechanisms behind this system, relying on.....»»
Need to accurately measure time in space? Use a COMPASSO
Telling time in space is difficult, but it is absolutely critical for applications ranging from testing relativity to navigating down the road. Atomic clocks, such as those used on the Global Navigation Satellite System network, are accurate, but onl.....»»
SpaceX to launch more private astronaut missions to ISS
Elon Musk's SpaceX is planning to fly private crew missions to the International Space Station in partnership with a Calfornia-based startup, the two companies said on Thursday......»»
YouTube populists are driving South Korea"s political instability—a warning for the rest of the world"s democracies
In the space of three weeks, South Korea has seen a brief declaration of martial law, its sudden repeal and the impeachment of its president, Yoon Suk Yeol......»»
Sentinel-1 data reveals Arctic glacier retreat
As Arctic temperatures rise, marine-terminating glaciers—especially in places like Svalbard—are undergoing rapid retreat and intensified calving. The Space for Shore project utilizes radar data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission to provide pr.....»»
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......»»