Unlocking the mystery of skin cracking in chili peppers
The outermost epidermal cell layer of fleshy fruit is surrounded by a hydrophobic cuticle, notably thicker than that found on vegetative tissues. This cuticle, primarily composed of the cutin polymer, also contains waxes and sometimes polysaccharides.....»»
Unlocking secrets of stomatal regulation: Phosphoactivation of SLAC1 in plant guard cells
In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have provided mechanistic insights into how SLAC1, a key anion chan.....»»
A stealth fungus has decimated North American bats, but scientists may be a step closer to treating white-nose syndrome
An invasive fungus that colonizes the skin of hibernating bats with deadly consequences is a stealthy invader that uses multiple strategies to slip into the small mammals' skin cells and quietly manipulate them to aid its own survival. The fungus, wh.....»»
Biologists determine the liver is the source of free glycans in the bloodstream
In a rat study, RIKEN biologists have solved the mystery of where glycan molecules in the blood come from, tracking them down to the liver. This finding could lead to new biomarkers for liver-related diseases......»»
Frozen mammoth skin retained its chromosome structure
Features as small as 50 nanometers preserved in a 50,000-year-old sample. Enlarge (credit: LEONELLO CALVETTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) One of the challenges of working with ancient DNA samples is that damage accumulates ove.....»»
The Mystery of Consciousness Is Deeper Than We Thought
Despite great progress, we lack even the beginning of an explanation of how the brain produces our inner world of colors, sounds, smells and tastes. A thought experiment with “pain-pleasure” zombies illustrates that the mystery is deeper.....»»
New NASA Heat Map Shows Scorching Streets That Can Burn Skin in Seconds
Under the scorching summer sun, pavement can reach temperatures hot enough to cause second-degree burns.....»»
Don’t ignore this one skin sign that might mean cancer, doctor warns
Don’t ignore this one skin sign that might mean cancer, doctor warns.....»»
From bands to spots, the secrets of the leopard gecko"s skin
While the patterns and colors of lizards' skin are fascinating, the mechanisms behind them are largely unknown. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) studied the leopard gecko, a popular lizard, to understand how the bands on the skin of juven.....»»
The geometry of life: Physicists determine what controls biofilm growth
From plaque sticking to teeth to scum on a pond, biofilms can be found nearly everywhere. These colonies of bacteria grow on implanted medical devices, our skin, contact lenses, and in our guts and lungs. They can be found in sewers and drainage syst.....»»
Unlocking the potential of anti-perovskites through a convenient one-step synthesis route
Although perovskites have attracted a lot of attention lately, anti-perovskites hold just as much potential as functional materials. Bearing a similar crystal structure to perovskites but with an inverted electrical configuration, anti-perovskites ex.....»»
Study measures toughness of bettong and potoroo foods to aid in conservation efforts
From sifting through topsoil for native truffles to cracking open hard shells of seeds and nuts to munch on the tasty kernels, Australia bettongs and potoroos are described as "ecosystem engineers" in a two-way relationship between their rich diet an.....»»
Fable 4 - everything we know about the new Fable game so far
The Fable 4 release date is still something of a mystery, though we do now have a window. While we wait for more, here's what's been revealed so far......»»
Intervarietal grafts of sweet, serrano peppers on Pasilla 18M
Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in the world; it is the most widely cultivated and popular spice. The genus Capsicum has been distinguished by its lack of compatible rootstocks with commercial cultivars to su.....»»
NASA"s ECOSTRESS maps burn risk areas across Phoenix streets
Roads and sidewalks in some areas get so hot that skin contact could result in second-degree burns......»»
The universe"s biggest explosions made elements we are composed of, but there"s another mystery source out there
After its "birth" in the Big Bang, the universe consisted mainly of hydrogen and a few helium atoms. These are the lightest elements in the periodic table. More-or-less all elements heavier than helium were produced in the 13.8 billion years between.....»»
Scientists make gains in mystery of missing snow
A major field project high in Colorado's Rocky Mountains has enabled scientists to produce the most comprehensive examination to date of how snow sublimates in a mountain environment......»»
Scientists develop most sensitive method yet for observing single molecules
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed the most sensitive method yet for detecting and profiling a single molecule—unlocking a new tool that holds potential for better understanding how the building blocks of matter inte.....»»
Twin NASA satellites are ready to help gauge Earth"s energy balance
A pair of new shoebox-size NASA satellites will help unravel an atmospheric mystery that's bedeviled scientists for years: how the behavior of clouds and water vapor at Earth's polar regions affects our planet's climate......»»
Knives Out 3 cast: Which actors will star alongside Daniel Craig?
Who will star alongside Daniel Craig in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery? See which actors have joined the cast of Knives Out 3......»»
Mystery malware destroys 600,000 routers from a single ISP during 72-hour span
An unknown threat actor with equally unknown motives forces ISP to replace routers. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) One day last October, subscribers to an ISP known as Windstream began flooding message boards with report.....»»