Vaccines using mRNA can protect farm animals against diseases traditional ones may not
While effective vaccines for COVID-19 should have heralded the benefits of mRNA vaccines, fear and misinformation about their supposed dangers circulated at the same time. These misconceptions about mRNA vaccines have recently spilled over into worri.....»»
Prototype sunscreen uses TiO₂ nanoparticles to cool skin while blocking UV rays
Wearing sunscreen is important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation but doesn't cool people off. However, a new formula, described in Nano Letters, protects against both UV light and heat from the sun using radiative cooling......»»
Molecular gardening: New enzymes discovered for protein modification pruning
Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are enzymes used by cells to trim protein modifications made from the protein ubiquitin, and thereby regulate proteins. Malfunctioning of DUBs could lead to diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders......»»
Study reveals how global connections boost city economies
As city population grows, so does violent crime, contagious diseases, and per-capita GDP. A significant body of research has investigated what drives this scaling relationship, examining factors within a city......»»
Nature"s instructions: How fungi make a key medicinal molecule
For roughly a century, ever since Alexander Fleming's accidental discovery of penicillin in 1928, fungi have proven to be a goldmine for medicines. They've provided treatments for a wide range of diseases, from infections and high cholesterol to orga.....»»
Azo-menthol: New molecule can regulate ion channels using light
Located in the cell membrane, TRPM8 ion channels are known as receptors that recognize cold and respond to menthol, the cooling agent in peppermint. In addition, these channels influence pain perception and play a key role in numerous diseases. This.....»»
UK researchers call for better governance to tackle "wild west" of esports sponsorships
The rapidly growing field of esports needs a comprehensive and agreed governance framework to tackle "unhealthy" sponsorships to protect both players and fans, researchers have said......»»
Rules against insider trading also boost innovation, research finds
Strong enforcement of insider trading laws doesn't just protect investors—it encourages businesses to be more innovative, according to our new peer-reviewed research......»»
Bad gift ideas: Ferrets and other exotic wild mammals as pets
As the festive season approaches, the demand for pets as holiday gifts tends to spike. People can be drawn to exotic or unique animals, hoping to surprise their loved ones with something special......»»
Unlocking the brain: Peptide-guided nanoparticles deliver mRNA to neurons
Penn Engineers have modified lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)—the revolutionary technology behind the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines—to not only cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also to target specific types of cells, including neurons. This breakthroug.....»»
Captive tilapia study shows cold-blooded animals using behaviorally-induced fever to battle infection
A team of life scientists at East China Normal University has found that at least one type of cold-blooded animal uses behaviorally-induced fever to battle infections. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the g.....»»
Genetic test will help safeguard quinoa from downy mildew
Quinoa's grain-like seed offers a flavorful, nutrition-packed addition to soups, salads and side dishes, as well as ingredient for cereals, snacks and pasta. But in order for this versatile seed to get from farm field to table, quinoa growers must be.....»»
Finding the "sweet spot": Marine animals save energy by swimming at optimal depths
Researchers from Swansea and Deakin Universities have found that marine animals across mammals, birds and reptiles swim at similar relative depths when traveling and not feeding to save energy......»»
Simple enrichment reduces boredom and boosts welfare in housed dairy cows
Understanding dairy cow behavior has been a hot topic of dairy science research in the last few decades. In a special issue of JDS Communications dedicated to behavior in dairy animals, a new study highlights the importance of environmental enrichmen.....»»
Rising drought frequency poses new threats to US wildlife, study finds
People around the world are dealing with drought, so it's not shocking that it affects wildlife, too: lack of moisture contributes to habitat loss, affects how animals compete for resources, and leads to dehydration and heat stress. The surprising pa.....»»
Sea sponge-inspired microlenses offer new possibilities in optics
Beneath the ocean's surface, simple marine animals called sea sponges grow delicate glass skeletons that are as intricate as they are strong. These natural structures are made of a material called silica—also known as bioglass—that is both lightw.....»»
Newly discovered degradation process for mRNA could lead to clinical treatments
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a process that breaks down mRNA molecules in the human body particularly efficiently. This could be useful, for example, in the treatment of cancer. The study is published in Molecular Cell......»»
Meta thinks social media can protect us from deep fakes
Deep fakes are arguably the most dangerous aspect of AI. It’s now relatively trivial to create fake photos, audio, and even video. See below for deep fakes of Morgan Freeman and Tom Cruise, for example. But while social media has so far been use.....»»
Genetic method leverages bacterial transfer mechanism to produce new active ingredients
Microorganisms produce a wide variety of natural products that can be used as active ingredients to treat diseases such as infections or cancer. The blueprints for these molecules can be found in the microbes' genes, but often remain inactive under l.....»»
Climate change and land use practices threaten traditional food sources in Russia"s Far East
Climate change and land-use practices could significantly alter the make-up and availability of wild traditional foods in the vast Russian Far East, a region that is home to many Indigenous Peoples who depend on those native foods......»»
New housing developments failing to protect wildlife, survey reveals
New housing developments are failing wildlife on a widespread scale, according to research from the University of Sheffield and published by campaign group Wild Justice......»»