Understanding how chemical communication evolved in insects
All around us, insects are speaking to each other: jockeying for mates, searching for food, and trying to avoid becoming someone else's next meal. Some of this communication is easy to spot—like the flashes of fireflies on a summer night or a screa.....»»
AI tools help uncover enzyme mechanisms for lasso peptides
Lasso peptides are natural products made by bacteria. Their unusual lasso shape endows them with remarkable stability, protecting them from extreme conditions. In a new study, published in Nature Chemical Biology, researchers have constructed and tes.....»»
Study shows organonitrates in atmospheric particles vary with altitude
While atmospheric particles directly affect climate (e.g., cloud formation), sampling atmospheric particles aloft is practically challenging. Therefore, a full understanding of how particle composition is linked to environmental function remains limi.....»»
Evolved in the lab, found in nature: Uncovering hidden pH sensing abilities in microbial cultures
In a study led by Sarah Worthan, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Behringer Lab at Vanderbilt University, scientists have successfully evolved microbial cultures that possess the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environ.....»»
Independent origins of frog glue and its role in predator evasion
Skin-secreted adhesives, or glues, are highly effective defense adaptations that have evolved recurrently in a small number of amphibians. From an ecological standpoint, this rapidly solidifying material—essentially, a sticky slime—encumbers the.....»»
Sea surface micro layer: Researchers study boundary between the ocean and the air
The boundary between the ocean and the atmosphere, where the air and sea interact, is known as the sea surface microlayer. Understanding how nutrients, pollutants and organic matter are exchanged between the air and the sea is also vital for better u.....»»
Antioxidant carbon dot nanozymes alleviate depression in rats by restoring the gut microbiome
Depression is a significant challenge to diagnose and treat. Among the factors influencing depression onset and severity, there is growing evidence for chemical imbalances that generate oxidative stress throughout the body. To address this problem, r.....»»
Harnessing nature"s rhythm: Piezocatalysis for organic pollutant degradation
With the rapid growth of industrial and agricultural activities, water bodies are increasingly contaminated with harmful organic pollutants such as dyes, antibiotics, and bisphenol A. Traditional methods like adsorption, chemical treatments, and biol.....»»
Study explores metabolic disruptions in Artemisia annua mutant strain
Artemisia annua is celebrated for its production of artemisinin, a powerful antimalarial agent. Although its glandular secretory trichomes have been the focus of extensive research, a complete understanding of their metabolic processes remains elusiv.....»»
14 dead as Hezbollah walkie-talkies explode in second, deadlier attack
People aren't sure what devices will go boom next. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Wireless communication devices have exploded again today across Lebanon in a second attack even deadlier than yesterday's.....»»
Understanding the Origins of Life on Earth Could Help Find Life beyond It
We can’t yet tell how life got its start on Earth. That’s one great reason to keep looking for life elsewhere.....»»
Going Back to the Moon, Researching Chickadee Hybrids and Understanding Addiction
This month’s issue covers the reasons it’s so hard to go back to the moon, the science of empathy and new advances in treating sickle cell disease.....»»
Ghost: Criminal communication platform compromised, dismantled by international law enforcement
Another encrypted communication platform used by criminals has been dismantled and its alleged mastermind arrested, the Australian Federal Police has announced on Tuesday. “AFP Operation Kraken charged a NSW man, aged 32, for creating and admin.....»»
11 dead, thousands injured in explosive supply chain attack on Hezbollah pagers
Supply chain attack may be to blame. Enlarge / An ambulance arrives at the site after wireless communication devices known as pagers exploded in Sidon, Lebanon, on September 17, 2024. (credit: Ahmad Kaddoura/Anadolu via Getty Ima.....»»
Zirconium metals under extreme conditions found to deform in surprisingly complex ways
Materials are crucial to modern technology, especially those used in extreme environments like nuclear energy systems and military applications. These materials need to withstand intense pressure, temperature and corrosion. Understanding their lattic.....»»
A toxic chemical was blamed for killing thousands of Teesside crabs, but a study explains why pyridine isn"t the culprit
In October 2021, thousands of dead and dying crabs and lobsters washed up along 45 miles (70km) of coastline in north-east England. This mass-mortality event coincided with the redevelopment of one of the UK's largest ports at Teesside......»»
Greener pastures: Better ammonia production for a more sustainable future
Energy demands are at an all-time high, as is the need to be environmentally conscious. That's why chemical engineering professors Drs. Joseph Kwon and Mark Barteau have developed a strategy to predict the performance of new catalysts for greener amm.....»»
8 dead, 2,700 injured after simultaneous pager explosions in Lebanon
Lithium-ion batteries or supply chain attack may be to blame. Enlarge / An ambulance arrives at the site after wireless communication devices known as pagers exploded in Sidon, Lebanon, on September 17, 2024. (credit: Ahmad Kaddo.....»»
New method improves understanding of light-wave propagation in anisotropic materials
Understanding how light travels through various materials is essential for many fields, from medical imaging to manufacturing. However, due to their structure, materials often show directional differences in how they scatter light, known as anisotrop.....»»
Fungi to the rescue: South African scientists use innovative approach to protect apple trees
Gardeners the world over dread the appearance of aphids on their plants. There are around 4,000 species of these sap-sucking insects and about 250 are pests that can wreak havoc on crops in a garden or orchard......»»
Synthetic mini-motor: Researchers convert chemical energy into rotational energy at the supramolecular level
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed an artificial motor at the supramolecular level that can develop impressive power. This wind-up motor is a tiny ribbon made of special molecules. When energy is applied, this ribb.....»»