Potent trivalent inhibitors of thrombin from anticoagulation peptides in insect saliva
Thrombosis, the clogging of blood vessels, is a major cause of heart attacks and embolism. Scientists have now engineered the first inhibitors of thrombin, a protease promoting thrombosis, that is three-fold efficient. In a study published in the jou.....»»
From crickets in Melbourne to grasshoppers in Cairns, here"s what triggers an insect outbreak
In recent weeks, Melburnians have reported thousands of crickets showing up in large numbers after dark, flying into homes and shops and taking up residence......»»
Ecologist cautions researchers to look more closely at apparent mismatches between birds and their prey
Climate change may speed up the emergence of insects in northern countries at the end of winter. This may cause breeding birds migrating from the south to come too late to benefit from the insect peak if they do not adjust their travel schedules to t.....»»
Unlocking the potential of protease inhibitors for enhanced pest resistance in tea plants
Protease inhibitors are a promising strategy for enhancing herbivore resistance in plants, which is crucial for addressing the significant yield losses in crops such as tea plants due to insect herbivores. Serine protease inhibitors (SERPIN) are one.....»»
Protecting the peppers: Unlocking the potential of the sterile insect technique
For the first time, researchers in Canada have investigated the use of the sterile insect technique for controlling populations of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii, an economically significant crop pest in North America......»»
New study shows similarities and differences in human and insect vision formation
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered profound similarities and surprising differences between humans and insects in the production of the critical light-absorbing molecule of the retina, 11-cis-retinal, also known as th.....»»
Study shows methane emissions from wetlands increase significantly over high latitudes
Wetlands are Earth's largest natural source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is about 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the atmosphere. A research team from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.....»»
Discovery could lead to new RNA therapeutics for many cancers
Australian scientists have made a major discovery that could underpin the next generation of RNA-based therapeutics and lead to more potent and longer-lasting RNA-based drugs with an even wider array of potential uses......»»
Discovery of new plant protein fold may be seed for anti-cancer drugs
University of Michigan researchers are celebrating their discovery of a new plant biochemistry and its unusual ability to form cyclic peptides—molecules that hold promise in pharmaceuticals as they can bind to challenging drug targets......»»
Changing the color of commonly used agricultural nets lessens insect damage to Kujo leek fields
Red nets are better at keeping away a common agricultural insect pest than typical black or white nets, according to a new study. Researchers have experimented with the effect of red, white, black and combination-colored nets on deterring onion thrip.....»»
Unlocking artemisinin production secrets in Artemisia annua: The role of DBR2-like gene variations
Artemisia annua is the only known plant source of potent antimalarial artemisinins, and its chemotypes are classified as low- and high-artemisinin producing (LAP and HAP). However, the different mechanisms of artemisinin production by these two chemo.....»»
Smells like evolution: Fruit flies reveal surprises in chemical sensing
A new study in Nature Communications unveils the hidden world of sensory evolution in fruit flies. By delving into the genes and cells behind their delicate noses and tongues, researchers have discovered surprising secrets about how these tiny insect.....»»
Study tracks how wetland tree stem emissions vary by season, location, and hydrological conditions
The recent rise in atmospheric methane (CH4) has drawn increased attention to the potent greenhouse gas, which is approximately 45 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. About 60% of global methane emissions are a.....»»
One in five Colorado bumblebees are endangered, new report says
On a cliffside at Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado, a fuzzy bee was industriously gnawing at the red sandstone. Making a loud grinding sound, the insect used its powerful jaws to drill tunnels and holes in rocks, where it would build a n.....»»
Fingerprinting biomolecules with the help of sound
A team of researchers from the Institute for Optoelectronic Systems and Microtechnology at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) has designed a biosensor capable of identifying proteins and peptides in quantities as low as a single monolayer. For.....»»
Insect populations flourish in the restored habitats of solar energy facilities
Bumblebees buzz from flower to flower, stopping for a moment under a clear blue Minnesota sky. Birds chirp, and tall grasses blow in the breeze. This isn't a scene from a pristine nature preserve or national park. It is nestled between photovoltaic (.....»»
Researchers address formulation, manufacturing challenges in obesity, diabetes drugs
Medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are composed of molecules called acylated peptides that are designed to circulate in the body and regulate insulin production. This enables adults with type 2 diabetes to take a weekly injection instead of mon.....»»
Exploring dimensions of justice in climate science
How can climate policy be made more just and fair? IIASA researchers have synthesized different dimensions of justice into a framework that can be used by climate scientists and policymakers, explaining how previous research has neglected many potent.....»»
Brazilian researchers discover two novel peptides with biotechnological potential in snake venom
Brazilian snake and spider venoms continue to be a source of new discoveries with biotechnological potential. Two recently published studies show how this is possible even in relatively well-studied species such as the lancehead pit viper Cotiara (Bo.....»»
New evidence that insect wings may have evolved from gills
How did insect wings originate? This is a question that represents an unsolved mystery of insect evolution. Despite many years of research, it is still not entirely clear from which body structure insect wings actually evolved and what their original.....»»
New high-speed video system uses sensors, infrared illumination to track insects in large wild areas
Our ability to learn more about insect behavior—which affects ecology, health, and economy on a global scale—depends largely on suitable recording technology. But until now, these tools have been considerably limited......»»