Small-molecule autocatalysis may have paved the way for the emergence of evolution by natural selection
The discipline of systems chemistry deals with the analysis and synthesis of various autocatalytic systems and is therefore closely related to the study of the origin of life, since it investigates systems that can be considered as a transition betwe.....»»
Exploring the role of hydrogen sulfide in the expression of iron uptake genes in E. coli
Antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress response are important biological mechanisms that help bacteria thrive, especially pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a chemical messenger molecule, regulates several intracel.....»»
IBM opens its quantum-computing stack to third parties
You don't have to use IBM's tools to run software on its quantum processor. Enlarge / The small quantum processor (center) surrounded by cables that carry microwave signals to it, and the refrigeration hardware. (credit: IBM).....»»
Plant lineage study provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary effects of different reproductive strategies
Hang Sun's group from Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences has demonstrated the ecological and evolutionary effects of changes in plant reproductive strategies on phylogenetic evolution. The study is published in the journal Scien.....»»
"I need to go": Floridians make final preparations for Hurricane Helene
Across the northern Florida coast, most small towns were deserted on Thursday, with stores closed and windows boarded up to protect against the high winds and potentially devastating storm surge of Hurricane Helene......»»
Lignin-based sunscreen offers natural and high-performance UV protection
In a significant breakthrough for the cosmetics industry, researchers have developed a new type of sunscreen using lignin, a naturally abundant polymer, and titanium dioxide (TiO2). The study, led by Yarong Li and Zhiguang Tang, was published in the.....»»
The 1963 Ford Cardinal—too radical for America at the time
Here's what happened when Ford tried to react to the Volkswagen Beetle. Enlarge / This was supposed to be Ford's answer to the VW Beetle, a small, light, efficient, front-wheel drive car called Cardinal. (credit: Ford).....»»
Bulrush once kept NZ"s wetlands and lakes thriving—now it could help restore them
With about 90% of New Zealand's natural wetlands drained or severely damaged during the past decades, we need to understand the role of native plants in the restoration of these important habitats......»»
AI trained on evolution"s playbook develops proteins that spur drug and scientific discovery
A new artificial intelligence model developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin paves the way for more effective and less toxic treatments and new preventive strategies in medicine. The AI model informs the design of protein-based t.....»»
Cretaceous fireflies reveal early evolution of insect bioluminescence
Bioluminescence, the ability of living organisms to emit light, is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various life forms, including deep-sea fish, glowing mushrooms, and fireflies. Fireflies have long captivated people with their enchanting light d.....»»
Bird study shows that grounded running styles conserve energy
A small team of biologists and animal movement specialists in the Netherlands and the U.K. has found that birds such as the emu have a grounded running style at medium speeds, allowing them to conserve energy compared to the ungrounded running style.....»»
Small accounts, big decisions: How multiple savings impact retirement payout choices
New study shows that retirees are more likely to cash out smaller retirement accounts instead of turning them into steady income streams, even though they might do the opposite with larger accounts. This choice can hurt their long-term financial secu.....»»
Meta rolls out its own version of Advanced Voice Mode at Connect 2024
Meta announced Natural Voice Interactions at its Connect 2024 event. It's a new feature that will allow users to speak directly with the company's chatbot......»»
Talking to ChatGPT for the first time is a surreal experience
Listen to our first audio demo with OpenAI's new natural voice chat features. Enlarge / Putting the "chat" in ChatGPT (credit: Getty Images) In May, when OpenAI first demonstrated ChatGPT-4o's coming audio conversation c.....»»
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: tiny, terrific earbuds
Google's latest earbuds are astonishingly small and light, yet offer better ANC and sound quality than the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro......»»
Climatologists develop more accurate El Niño Southern Oscillation forecasts
Australian climatologists closely monitor atmospheric and oceanic conditions to assess the risk of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events occurring, which can lead to devastating natural disasters, however these predictions have become somewhat.....»»
Small firms may offer higher pay due to a lack of market power
Small companies may post higher wages for entry level positions than large companies—potentially attracting better talent, even though the larger companies have more influence on the market, according to new Cornell research......»»
Morphology study paves the way for spider fang-inspired cutting tools
When we think of spiders, the first thing that comes to mind is their ability to weave intricate and robust webs. But their ability to cut their own silk—the toughest natural material—and strong or tough synthetic fibers such as carbon or Kevlar,.....»»
New evolutionary model revises the origins of biodiversity
An international team of scientists has made a discovery that could reshape our understanding of how global biodiversity evolved. By reconstructing the evolution of species over the past 45 million years, researchers found that the geographic origins.....»»
Ford CEO: Being kind not ‘natural to me"
Ford's CEO, at a dinner honoring the 2024 Automotive News Rising Stars, gave advice on identifying talent, managing time and improving himself......»»
The "publish or perish" mentality is fueling research paper retractions—and undermining science
When scientists make important discoveries, both big and small, they typically publish their findings in scientific journals for others to read. This sharing of knowledge helps to advance science: it can, in turn, lead to more important discoveries......»»