Inspired by nature: Synthetic nightshade molecule effective against leukemia cells
Nightshade plants produce a diverse array of compounds with therapeutic potential. Researchers at CeMM have now identified an artificial variant inspired by the Withanolides group that acts highly specifically against leukemia cells......»»
Japan scientists make smiling robot with "living" skin
Japanese scientists have used human cells to develop an equivalent to living skin that can be attached to robotic surfaces to flash a realistic—if creepy—smile......»»
Synthetic psychedelic found in candies linked to seizures, intubation
Cases grow to 39, including 23 hospitalizations, across 20 states. Enlarge / A Diamond Shruumz chocolate bar, which comes in a variety of flavors. (credit: diamondshruumz.com) The US Food and Drug Administration has iden.....»»
Cell division: Before commitment, a very long engagement
Before a cell commits fully to the process of dividing itself into two new cells, it may ensure the appropriateness of its commitment by staying for many hours—sometimes more than a day—in a reversible intermediate state, according to a discovery.....»»
New tool enables faster, more cost-effective genome editing of traits to improve agriculture sustainability
With the goal of reducing the time and cost it takes to bring an improved crop to the marketplace to improve agriculture sustainability, research conducted in the laboratory of Keith Slotkin, Ph.D., and his colleagues in the Plant Transformation Faci.....»»
Sportswashing is still highly effective despite more awareness among fans
As the European football championships continue in Germany, new research has revealed that "sportswashing"—the practice of using sporting events or teams to improve a country's reputation—is still highly effective, despite increased awareness of.....»»
Frog "saunas" help endangered frogs survive the devastating impacts of a deadly fungal disease
Macquarie University researchers have used heat to develop a simple and effective way to help endangered frogs survive the devastating impacts of a pandemic sweeping multiple species......»»
Revealing the dynamic choreography inside multilayer vesicles
Our cells and the machinery inside them are engaged in a constant dance. This dance involves some surprisingly complicated choreography within the lipid bilayers that comprise cell membranes and vesicles—structures that transport waste or food with.....»»
The space bricks have landed
ESA scientists have been exploring how a future moon base might be built from materials on the lunar surface. Inspired by LEGO building, they have used dust from a meteorite to 3D-print "space bricks" to test the idea. ESA's space bricks are on displ.....»»
3D thymic-like hydrogels for T-cell differentiation
A study published in GEN Biotechnology describes the establishment of the first hydrogel-based platform for producing T-cells from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Researchers engineered biomaterials integrated with key thymic components to d.....»»
Researchers improve measurement of gene expression in single cells
Northwestern Medicine scientists have developed a new technique to identify individual cells for RNA sequencing, which will empower scientists to gather more accurate and precise scientific data, according to details published in Cell Genomics......»»
Researchers develop highly accurate carbohydrate binding site prediction algorithm, DeepGlycanSite
As the most abundant organic substances in nature, carbohydrates are essential for life. Carbohydrates interact with diverse protein families to modulate various biological processes, including immune response, cell differentiation and neural develop.....»»
Following the "BATT Signal:" A new signaling pathway controlling planarian germ cells
Biogenic monoamines—molecules like dopamine and serotonin—are famous for their role as the brain's emissaries of mood, learning and memory, stress mechanisms, and fight-or-flight responses in the body......»»
The mythical griffin was not inspired by a horned dinosaur, study concludes
The mythological creatures are instead "chimeras of big cats and raptorial birds." Enlarge / Painting of a gryphon, or griffin, a lion-raptor chimera from ancient folklore. (credit: Mark Witton) The gryphon, or griffin,.....»»
Shaping the future of polymer nanocarriers
Scientists have taken a significant step towards the development of tailor-made chiral nanocarriers with controllable release properties. These nanocarriers, inspired by nature's helical molecules like DNA and proteins, hold immense potential for tar.....»»
PFAS "forever" chemical laws need an overhaul—recent court rulings highlight the loopholes
As awareness of toxic, synthetic chemical pollution from per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) increases, more legal settlements in billion dollar amounts are being made between chemical companies and public water suppliers, both in the US and E.....»»
Boosting "natural killer" cell activity could improve cancer therapy
Yale researchers have uncovered a way to make a type of white blood cells known as natural killer cells—which kill infected, damaged, or malignant cells in the body—more effective against cancer. The approach, they say, could enable new treatment.....»»
Researchers move floating objects with soundwaves
EPFL researchers have succeeded in directing floating objects around an aquatic obstacle course using only soundwaves. Their novel, optics-inspired method holds great promise for biomedical applications such as noninvasive targeted drug delivery......»»
Jupiter"s upper atmosphere surprises astronomers
Using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, scientists observed the region above Jupiter's iconic Great Red Spot to discover a variety of previously unseen features. The region, previously believed to be unremarkable in nature, hosts a variety.....»»
Hydrothermal vents on seafloors of "ocean worlds" could support life, new study says
We've all seen the surreal footage in nature documentaries showing hydrothermal vents on the frigid ocean floor—bellowing black plumes of super-hot water—and the life forms that cling to them. Now, a new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers suggest.....»»
Your wig could be poisoning you: Study finds pesticides and other toxic chemicals in synthetic hair in Nigeria
Well-groomed hair is a symbol of beauty for many black African women. Natural hair requires special care and attention, though, which can be time consuming. Wigs (human or synthetic hair), weave-ons and other artificial hair extensions offer women an.....»»