Sponges, not just their microbes, make biologically potent compounds
Soft and immobile, sea sponges may appear inert, but these simple animals are rich with chemistry. From them, scientists have uncovered plenty of biologically active compounds, some of which have gone on to become medications. All of these small mole.....»»
Did animal evolution begin with a predatory lifestyle?
Were the first animals predators or filter feeders like the sponges living in today's oceans? And what role did symbiosis with algae play, as with reef-building corals? Surprising findings by a research group led by Prof. Dr. Thomas W. Holstein of He.....»»
A new chemical tool for probing toxic formaldehyde"s dual nature
Compounds developed by University of Leicester Chemists aim to reveal the dual nature of formaldehyde, a chemical that is known to cause cancer but is also believed to play important roles in our biology......»»
The "Grandmother Hypothesis": Skin behind the ears and between the toes can host a collection of unhealthy microbes
Grandmother was right: Scrubbing behind the ears and between the toes may help keep the skin in those regions healthy, or so says a new study by a team at the George Washington University......»»
Your microbes live on after you die—a microbiologist explains how your necrobiome recycles your body
Each human body contains a complex community of trillions of microorganisms that are important for your health while you're alive. These microbial symbionts help you digest food, produce essential vitamins, protect you from infection and serve many o.....»»
Capturing carbon dioxide with electricity: A microbial enzyme inspires electrochemistry
Humans continuously emits greenhouse gases, worsening global warming. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulates dramatically over the years and is chemically very stable. Yet, some microbes capture CO2 using highly efficient enzymes. Scientists f.....»»
Selenium vacancies regulate d-band centers for upgrading N-containing compounds
A recent study published in Science China Chemistry was led by Prof. Feng Fu (Research Institute of Comprehensive Energy Industry Technology, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University). The experiments were performed by the Ni3Se.....»»
Double trouble: Infamous "eagle killer" bacterium produces not one, but two toxins
The cyanobacterium Aetokthonos hydrillicola produces not just one, but two highly potent toxins. In the latest issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), an international team led by Martin Luther University Halle-Wi.....»»
Bacterial biosensors: The future of analyte detection
Scientists can do some nifty things with microbes, including engineering bacterial cells to sense and signal the presence of specific compounds. These microbial whole-cell biosensors have numerous purposes, from detecting toxins in the environment to.....»»
3 iOS 0-days, a cellular network compromise, and HTTP used to infect an iPhone
Apple patches 3 zero-days after they were used in a sophisticated attack. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Apple has patched a potent chain of iOS zero-days that were used to infect the iPhone of an Egyptian presidential c.....»»
Team resolves molecular switching behavior of azonium compounds for light-controlled drugs
Molecules that change shape under the influence of light can be used as switches in biomedical applications, for instance to inhibit an enzyme. An international team of researchers, including chemists at the Universities of Amsterdam and Groningen, h.....»»
Fast-track strain engineering for speedy biomanufacturing
Using engineered microbes as microscopic factories has given the world steady sources of life-saving drugs, revolutionized the food industry, and allowed us to make sustainable versions of valuable chemicals previously made from petroleum......»»
Crispr Pioneer Jennifer Doudna Has the Guts to Take On the Microbiome
The world-famous biochemist is ready to tackle everything from immune disorders and mental illness to climate change—all by altering microbes in the digestive tract......»»
Method to measure molecular distribution of MXene enables quality control in production process
Developed in 2011, MXene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial with alternating metal and carbon layers, which has high electrical conductivity and can be combined with various metal compounds, making it a material that can be utilized in various industr.....»»
Four rare and delicate sponges described
Four rare, beautiful and delicate sponges have been described by Queensland Museum scientists......»»
Electron transfer kineties of CdS/Zn(impim) dots-on-rods designed for efficient visible-light reduced C-X bond
Using solar energy to drive the cleavage of C-X bonds in halogenated organic compounds to form C-H bonds can not only control environmental pollution but also achieve important organic conversion reactions......»»
Polar experiments reveal seasonal cycle in Antarctic sea ice algae
In the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica, an unusual seasonal cycle occurs. During winter, from March to October, the sun barely rises. As seawater freezes it rejects salts, creating pockets of extra-salty brine where microbes live in winter. In s.....»»
The firms hoping to take psychedelic drugs mainstream
Start-ups are tweaking psychedelic compounds to treat mental health conditions......»»
Scientists find banded sand catsharks hiding inside sea sponges
When scientists on board the research vessel (RV) Investigator pulled a large sponge from the ocean in 2017, they noticed a tail fin poking out. They expected to find an eel had wriggled into the sponge. Instead, they discovered 30 catsharks hiding i.....»»
Scientists find evolutionary clues while examining microbes in far-flung hot springs
Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists studied hot springs on different continents and found similarities in how some microbes adapted despite their geographic diversity......»»
Novel membrane could reduce energy expenditure in separating molecules for desalination, drug development
Separating molecules is critical to producing many essential products. For example, in petroleum refining, the hydrocarbons—chemical compounds composed of hydrogens and carbons—in crude oil are separated into gasoline, diesel and lubricants by so.....»»