Study sheds light on how antibiotic "Velcro" kills bacteria
A small antibiotic called plectasin uses an innovative mechanism to kill bacteria. By assembling into large structures, plectasin latches onto its target on the bacterial cell surface, similar to how both sides of Velcro form a bond......»»
Study: The diminishing impact of casino free-play promotions
Free-play campaigns—or gambling money on the house—have gotten big. They are the dominant play incentive in the gaming industry, where the most money is spent to get players in the door and keep them coming back for more. But new research suggest.....»»
From wild to sweet: Decoding the jujube"s genetic journey
Chinese jujube, known for its economic and nutritional significance, was domesticated from its wild ancestor. While previous studies have shed light on some aspects of its domestication, many genetic details remain unexplored. The jujube's transforma.....»»
More competition in banking, less information—research reveals the impacts on potential borrowers
A new study conducted by Filippo De Marco of Bocconi University, Milan, and Silvio Petriconi of the Catolica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis reveals that competition among banks.....»»
Pauses in human activity benefit biodiversity
A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation shows that COVID-19 lockdowns had a positive impact on the quality of species' habitats......»»
Researchers develop MoonIndex, open-source software that allows study of lunar surface
With MoonIndex, researchers from Constructor University and the National Institute of Astrophysics in Italy have developed an open-source software that for the first time gives scientists access to a free tool that creates science-ready products from.....»»
Climate inaction undermines public support for lifestyle changes, study finds
New research into the public perception of climate change initiatives finds that while there is strong support for low-carbon lifestyles, inaction is limiting public beliefs that a low-carbon future is possible......»»
Study reveals how one enzyme hitches a ride on another to recognize tRNA
Imagine your body as a highly organized factory where workers tirelessly assemble proteins around the clock. These proteins are the machines and scaffolds that make up your body and are essential for various functions. In this factory, special delive.....»»
Robots steal jobs from unions—study shows decline in unionizations
Collective bargaining is a fundamental pillar of the European social model. In Italy, over the decades, unions have ensured wage increases commensurate with productivity growth and a gradual improvement in working conditions. Today, however, they are.....»»
Farmland weeds can help combat pests
Leaving some weeds between crops can help to combat pests on agricultural land, according to a new study carried out by the University of Bonn. This step has particularly positive effects in combination with other measures: the cultivation of differe.....»»
Public health beliefs predict support for climate action, study shows
A paper published in the current issue of the Journal of Health Communication by Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) researchers finds evidence that holding science-consistent beliefs about the public health effects of climate change is an importan.....»»
Tea science: Gene discovery to boost mechanical harvesting
Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the genetic factors influencing tea plant leaf droopiness, a key determinant of mechanical harvest success. By identifying the CsEXL3 gene and its regulation by CsBES1.2, the study paves the.....»»
New study unveils formation secrets of tiny rare earth elements
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences have revealed a novel route to the formation of bastnäsite, a crucial mineral for the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs). Their work offers promise in one day making the extr.....»»
Detecting intelligent life that"s light years away: Greenhouse gases could signal alien activity
If aliens modified a planet in their solar system to make it warmer, we'd be able to tell. A new UC Riverside study identifies the artificial greenhouse gases that would be giveaways of a terraformed planet......»»
Quantum state mixing in photobiology: New insight from ultrafast terahertz Stark spectroscopy
The membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin is a proton pump, in which proton transport is initiated by the light-induced isomerization of the chromophore retinal. The molecular quantum states involved in this ultrafast reaction have now been characterize.....»»
Global South health care practices contribute to spread of antimicrobial resistance across the world, study suggests
Many bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics originate in Pakistan and other parts of the Indian subcontinent. Infections caused by these bacteria are challenging to treat; longer treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is required and despite t.....»»
Hidden mechanisms behind hermaphroditic plant self-incompatibility revealed
A new study presents an evolutionary-biophysical model that sheds new light on the evolution of the collaborative non-self recognition self-incompatibility, a genetic mechanism in plants that prevents self-fertilization and promotes cross-fertilizati.....»»
Beyond work: Study finds employment affects identity in late 20-somethings
For people in their late 20s, "Your job doesn't define you" is likely an unconvincing cliché......»»
Researchers identify potential hazards in biosolid fertilizers
Fertilizers manufactured from the sludgy leftovers of wastewater treatment processes can contain traces of potentially hazardous organic chemicals, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers......»»
Researchers use gold membrane to coax secrets out of surfaces
Using a special wafer-thin gold membrane, ETH researchers have made it significantly easier to study surfaces. The membrane makes it possible to measure properties of surfaces that are inaccessible to conventional methods......»»
Squeezing more flavor: Genetic study optimizes citric acid in tomatoes
Citric acid (CA) is a flavor-enhancing compound in tomatoes that also serves as a metabolic pathway mediator. Despite its importance, the genetic and environmental interplay affecting its levels has been a puzzle, difficult to decipher and control......»»