Molecular mechanism of ZDHHC18-mediated palmitoylation of cGAS in innate immunity inhibition
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) sensing protein, plays an important role in the strong innate immune response induced by pathogen derived nucleic acids......»»
Scientists Just Discovered a New Type of Magnetism
In an atomically thin stack of semiconductors, a mechanism unseen in any natural substance causes electrons’ spins to align......»»
How to shift gears in a molecular motor
A study published in Chemistry—A European Journal presents a proof-of-principle design of molecular motors......»»
New simulation tool advances molecular modeling of biomolecular condensates
A University of Massachusetts Amherst team has made a major advance toward modeling and understanding how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) undergo spontaneous phase separation, an important mechanism of subcellular organization that underlies.....»»
Deep learning reveals molecular secrets of explosive perchlorate salts
Perchlorates are a class of compounds that are notorious for their explosive nature. This raises safety concerns during experiments involving complex compounds that contain perchlorate ions, since explosions can be triggered even by the slightest sho.....»»
Ancient "relaxant-inflammatory" mechanism gets sponges moving
Did you know that sponges can move? While not exactly the champions of underwater acrobatics, sponges exhibit coordinated movements—despite not having muscles or neurons......»»
Team unravels activation mechanism of a protein that combats bacteria
The human immune system is constantly fending off a wide range of invaders—a feat that requires a diverse array of cellular troops and molecular weaponry. Although a great deal is already known about immune defense cells and the strategies they emp.....»»
Jujube witches" broom phytoplasmas inhibit ZjBRC1-mediated abscisic acid metabolism to induce shoot proliferation
Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), an important species in the Rhamnaceae family, has been cultivated in China for over 7,000 years and is vulnerable to Jujube witches' broom (JWB) disease. This disease, caused by the JWB plant pathogen, leads t.....»»
Researchers uncover molecular mechanisms behind effects of MXene nanoparticles on muscle regeneration
Tissue engineering, which involves the use of grafts or scaffolds to aid cell regeneration, is emerging as a key medical practice for treating volumetric muscle loss (VML), a condition where a significant amount of muscle tissue is lost beyond the bo.....»»
New method for incorporating structurally unusual amino acids into proteins
A team of biochemists at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge has developed a new method to incorporate structurally unusual amino acids into proteins by using bacteria. The method is described in the journal Natu.....»»
Altered light-harvesting complex in a cyanobacterium allows low-energy light use
Researchers have isolated and determined the molecular structure of the light-harvesting antenna that helps some cyanobacteria—formerly referred to as blue-green algae—produce energy through photosynthesis even in lower-energy light......»»
Tiny worm, giant leap: Discovery of highly specific fatty acid attachment to proteins
In a world where the intricacies of molecular biology often seem as vast and mysterious as the cosmos, a new study delves into the microscopic universe of proteins, unveiling a fascinating aspect of their existence. This revelation could hold profoun.....»»
Scientists spin naturalistic silk from artificial spider gland
Researchers have succeeded in creating a device that spins artificial spider silk that closely matches what spiders naturally produce. The artificial silk gland was able to re-create the complex molecular structure of silk by mimicking the various ch.....»»
Study of gigantism in whales provides clues to genomic mechanism involved in tumor suppression
The functioning of certain regions of a few genes in cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) may explain why the Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) can reach lengths of up to 30 meters—almost 10 m more than a bus—while the Bottlenose dolphin (.....»»
Energy supply in human cells is subject to quality control, researchers discover
Researchers at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) have discovered a new quality control mechanism that regulates energy production in human cells. This process takes place in mitochondria, the power plants of the cell......»»
Clutch-stack-driven molecular gears in crystals could propel material innovation
Gears are an essential component of everyday machines. The ability to shift gears, like in a car, allows for control of the degree or direction of motion generated, making machines more versatile......»»
Chilled-out tadpoles defy climate odds
University of Queensland researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that allows tadpoles in cold environments to mitigate the detrimental effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation......»»
Unraveling the health benefits of tomatoes: A molecular dive
Scientists at U.S. the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and The Ohio State University (OSU) have been working to investigate how tomatoes may be imparting health benefits in a recently published study......»»
Researchers observe how the flexibility of a protein hinge is crucial to the transfer of cell proteins
Ubiquitination—the addition of the protein ubiquitin—is a key stage in many cell processes, such as protein degradation, DNA repairs, and signal transduction. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) and molecular modeling, researchers l.....»»
Molecular sensor enables water bear hardiness by triggering dormancy, study finds
Tardigrades—hardy, microscopic animals commonly known as "water bears"—use a molecular sensor that detects harmful conditions in their environment, telling them when to go dormant and when to resume normal life. A team led by Derrick R. J. Kollin.....»»
There’s a Huge Covid Surge Right Now and Nobody Is Talking About It
The US is in the midst of the largest Covid surge since Omicron, but with minimal testing and good population immunity, the wave is largely being ignored......»»