Supernova: A glowing DNA enzyme
Once thought to function primarily as a storage molecule for genetic information, it is now known that DNA can also catalyze chemical reactions. Although such DNA enzymes (deoxyribozymes) have not been identified in nature, they can be isolated in th.....»»
Researchers determine how type II restriction endonuclease Sau3AI cleaves DNA
Sau3AI is a type II restriction enzyme widely used for genetic manipulation, such as genome library construction. Sau3AI consists of two domains, the N-terminal domain (Sau3AI-N) and the C-terminal domain (Sau3AI-C). How these two domains work togeth.....»»
Newly-engineered versions of bacterial enzyme reveal how antibiotics could be more potent
Modern medicine depends on antibiotics to treat infections by disabling targets inside bacterial cells. Once inside these cells, antibiotics bind to certain sites on specific enzyme targets to stop bacterial growth. Randomly occurring changes (mutati.....»»
Closest supernova in a decade reveals how exploding stars evolve
Alex Filippenko is the kind of guy who brings a telescope to a party. True to form, at a soiree on May 18 this year, he wowed his hosts with images of star clusters and colorful galaxies—including the dramatic spiral Pinwheel Galaxy—and snapped t.....»»
Biochemist unravels the secrets of a novel DNA enzyme linked to infertility and certain cancers
Scientific research requires patience. The rewards are not always immediate, and the technology needed does not always exist. Michael A. Trakselis, Ph.D., professor and director of graduate affairs for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at.....»»
New supernova remnant detected with ASKAP
Using the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), an international team of astronomers has serendipitously detected a new Galactic supernova remnant (SNR), which received designation SNR G288.8–6.3. The finding was reported in a paper.....»»
Using glowing fish to detect harmful pesticides
Birth defects related to chromosomal abnormalities often stem from exposure to chemicals early in the mother's life. But determining which chemicals are at fault poses a serious challenge—akin to solving a hit-and-run case, decades after the fact......»»
Images of enzyme in action reveal secrets of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Bacteria draw from an arsenal of weapons to combat the drugs intended to kill them. Among the most prevalent of these weapons are ribosome-modifying enzymes. These enzymes are growing increasingly common, appearing worldwide in clinical samples in a.....»»
How a Firefly Course Is Saving Japan’s Favorite Glowing Insect
The fireflies of Moriyama City have long been prized (and hunted) for their yellow-green glow. To bring populations back up, amateur conservationists are hitting the books......»»
That time an Air Force sergeant spotted pulsars months before astronomers
Jocelyn Bell-Burnell: "He happened to be a very observant person." Enlarge / Pulsars are spinning neutron stars, the relics of massive stars gone supernova. (credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center) Here's a bit of s.....»»
Exploring an eco-friendly enzyme to create key chemical building blocks
Using energy from light to activate natural enzymes can help scientists create new-to-nature enzymatic reactions that support eco-friendly biomanufacturing—the production of fuels, plastics, and valuable chemicals from plants or other biological sy.....»»
Hubble observes a galaxy that hosted an epic supernova explosion
This week's image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows a stunning view of a spiral galaxy called UGC 12295, located nearly 200 million light-years away......»»
Hubble image shows a lonely star glowing over an irregular background galaxy
This Hubble image is composed of two different exposures which have been merged together, showing star BD+17 2217 shining over the background galaxy Arp 263......»»
How rhomboid protease activity is regulated
Rhomboid proteases are a promising target for new drugs. Now researchers from the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) have uncovered a mechanism for regulating enzyme activity. The key role is played by dynamics of the gate.....»»
Nearby Supernova Gives Unique View of a Dying Star"s Last Days
Astronomers are piecing together the final moments of supernova 2023ixf and learning more about it than any other in recent history.....»»
New enzyme unlocks potential for health-promoting compounds in sorghum
Stilbenes are natural compounds found in various plants that have shown potential health benefits for humans, with a unique chemical structure consisting of two aromatic rings linked by a double bond. While resveratrol, found in grapes and red wine,.....»»
Researchers design synthetic peptide to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a short peptide capable of poisoning a key enzyme in disease-causing bacteria, including some of most deadly and antibiotic-resistant species......»»
Researchers identify key enzyme for heart failure drug digoxin
University at Buffalo researchers have identified for the first time an enzyme in the foxglove plant that is responsible for the production of compounds needed to make the heart failure drug digoxin......»»
Rare, double-lobe nebula resembles overflowing cosmic "jug"
The glowing nebula IC 2220, nicknamed the Toby Jug Nebula owing to its resemblance to an old English drinking vessel, is a rare astronomical find. This reflection nebula, located about 1200 light-years away in the direction of the constellation Carin.....»»
Molecular scissors caught in the act: Describing the function of tRNA splicing endonuclease TSEN based on its structure
In all living organisms, the biomolecule transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a fundamental role in protein production. tRNAs are generated from precursor molecules in several steps. The enzyme tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN), among other things, catalyzes on.....»»
Record-breaking team of citizen scientists contribute data on Pinwheel Galaxy supernova
In an unprecedented achievement, citizen scientists have set a new record for the SETI Institute and Unistellar, comprising the highest number of observers providing data on a single event. Amateur astronomers participating in the SETI Institute's an.....»»