Unveiling the intricate and subtle dance of proteins: Understanding how parasites disarm host defenses
Pathogens hijack host cell functions by expressing or secreting effector proteins, creating environments conducive to their survival and reproduction. These pathogenic microorganisms—including eukaryotic parasites, prokaryotic bacteria, and viruses.....»»
Origin of life research finds RNA can favor both left- and right-handed proteins
The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a discovery that RNA—a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for life before DNA emerged—can favor making the building blocks of proteins.....»»
Transparent worms with glowing proteins may help fertility treatments
The development of maternal egg cells is pivotal for survival—but also precarious. During meiosis, the DNA-containing chromosomes can easily be broken or lost, causing infertility, miscarriage or genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Scientists hav.....»»
New structure gives insight into mRNA export and cancers, and how viruses hijack the process to infect their host
The central dogma of biology defines the flow of genetic information: It describes how proteins are made from mRNA templates, which are in turn made from DNA. Exporting the mRNA from inside the nucleus to the site of protein translation in the cytopl.....»»
DNA repair by cooperation between proteins: A look inside the cell"s repair hub
New research from the Kind Group at the Hubrecht Institute sheds light on how cells repair damaged DNA. For the first time, the team has mapped the activity of repair proteins in individual human cells......»»
Cracking the recipe for perfect plant-based eggs
Hint: It involves finding exactly the right proteins. An egg is an amazing thing, culinarily speaking: delicious, nutritious, and versatile. Americans eat nearly 100 billion of th.....»»
New tool to map protease specificity may pave the way for improved treatments
FMI researchers have developed a new tool that maps how proteases—enzymes that process proteins—cut their targets. This innovation offers new insight into the highly selective nature of proteases, which were previously seen as indiscriminate degr.....»»
Do pipe organs create an auto-tune effect? Understanding largest class of music instrument"s effects on concert halls
The pipe organ, with its strong timber base and towering metal pipes, stands as a bastion in concert halls and church sanctuaries. Even when not in use, the pipe organ affects the acoustical environment around it......»»
Human Cell Atlas achieves leap in the understanding of the human body
Researchers with the global Human Cell Atlas (HCA) consortium report significant progress in their quest for a better understanding of the cells of the human body in health and disease, with the publication on 20 November of a collection of more than.....»»
Self-assembling proteins can be used for higher performance, more sustainable skincare products
If you have a meticulous skincare routine, you know that personal skincare products (PSCPs) are a big business. The PSCP industry will reach $74.12 billion USD by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 8.64%. With such competition, companies are always.....»»
Shazam tops 100 billion song recognition milestone
Shazam, the song recognition service that Apple acquired in 2018, today announced a major milestone: its users have now identified more than 100 billion songs. The most identified song is Dance Monkey, by Tones and I, which has been recognized by.....»»
The Milky Way represents an outlier among similar galaxies, universe survey data shows
For decades, scientists have used the Milky Way as a model for understanding how galaxies form. But three new studies raise questions about whether the Milky Way is truly representative of other galaxies in the universe......»»
How the Science of Curiosity Boosts Learning
Understanding curiosity can help people—and robots—learn faster.....»»
New ion speed record holds potential for faster battery charging and biosensing
A speed record has been broken using nanoscience, which could lead to a host of new advances, including improved battery charging, biosensing, soft robotics and neuromorphic computing......»»
A bit of bling helps insects dazzle their predators, high-speed camera study shows
Wearing a bright outfit covered in shiny sequins is a sure-fire way to attract attention. Just think of stars on stage—Beyonce, Taylor Swift or Harry Styles—their bedazzled outfits catch the lights, flashing and sparkling as they dance in concert.....»»
First ever goat-fish petroglyph reveals Egyptian understanding of zodiac symbols
A new study by Dr. Linda Evans and her colleagues from Macquarie University, Australia, published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, has recently identified what may be an Egyptian petroglyph depicting the zodiac sign Capricornus, a hybrid creat.....»»
Machine learning and supercomputer simulations predict interactions between gold nanoparticles and blood proteins
Researchers in the Nanoscience Center at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, have used machine learning and supercomputer simulations to investigate how tiny gold nanoparticles bind to blood proteins. The studies discovered that favorable nanopar.....»»
With new imaging approach, scientists closely analyze microbial adhesive interactions
Scientists have identified many types of bacteria in the mouth, but many problems remain in understanding how they work with one another. One of the problems is that microbes assemble themselves into densely packed multi-species biofilms. Their densi.....»»
Researchers characterize regulating mechanism of orderly zygotic genome activation in early embryos
Early development of an embryo is solely supported by maternally deposited RNAs and proteins until its own genome is activated through a process called zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Recent work by Chinese scientists has revealed a novel molecular.....»»
Electron imaging reveals the vibrant colors of the outermost electron layer
Surfaces play a key role in numerous chemical reactions, including catalysis and corrosion. Understanding the atomic structure of the surface of a functional material is essential for both engineers and chemists. Researchers at Nagoya University in J.....»»
In collective animal movements, speed matters—scientists use "force map" to investigate fish schools
Few things are as fascinating to look at a flock of starlings performing their aerial bird dance that is commonly seen, for example, above the West Pier in Brighton, UK, or in Rome when exiting the main train station, or a school of fish escaping a p.....»»