Science & Technology

A new class of molecular motors triggered by visible light kills harmful bacteria by generating reactive oxygen species. The new strategy could be a weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

A new modeling tool helps prioritize novel and known viruses for zoonotic risk. It shows coronaviruses are riskiest for spillover to humans.

A surprising trick that allows a beam of light to be completely absorbed even in the thinnest of layers: Using mirrors and lenses, a ‘light trap’ can be constructed, in which the light beam is steered in a circle and then superimposed on itself — exac…

One main goal of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission is to determine when conditions on the planet were conducive to the formation of liquid water. Hence the target Jezero crater, seemingly a lakebed with a delta potentially formed by an inflowing river. The Pers…

What makes the human brain distinct from that of all other animals — including even our closest primate relatives? In an analysis of cell types in the prefrontal cortex of four primate species, researchers identified species-specific — particularly h…

A vast paleogenetic study reveals insights on migration patterns, the expansion of farming and language development from the Caucasus over western Asia and Southern Europe from the early Copper Age until the late middle ages.

When our eyes move during REM sleep, we’re gazing at things in the dream world our brains have created, according to a new study. The findings shed light not only into how we dream, but also into how our imaginations work.

A new universal flu vaccine protects against diverse variants of both influenza A and B viruses in mice, according to a new study.

A new paper looks outside this brain region and reviews the various brain pathways that meet in the brain stem to control feeding behavior, using a technique that offers an unbiased look at the neurons involved, which could offer targets for better obe…

New research offers insights into a line of CRISPR systems, which could lead to promising antiviral and tissue engineering tools in animal and plants.

What makes people share posts on social media? A new study reveals that we share the social media posts we think are most relevant to ourselves or to our friends and family.

In Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurodegenerative dementias, proteins that normally play a role in healthy brain tissue turn bad, clumping together to form insoluble plaques and tangles as neurons wither and die. New research from reveals a novel role…

Using new scientific tools, archaeologists discovered that an ancient Greek leader known today as the Griffin Warrior likely grew up around the seaside city he would one day rule. The findings are part of three new studies that examined the ancient DNA…

The pilot study is one of the first to indicate that neurofeedback could help address cognitive deficits of cancer patients experiencing ‘chemo brain.’

People who were more distressed — showing signs of anxiety or depression — during the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to follow some best practice recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a new study. Howev…

Adding to a growing body of research on mental health and the human microbiome, a new study compared the bacteria in the saliva of students with and without recent thoughts of suicide, called suicidal ideation.

Molecular motors are complex devices composed of many different parts that consume energy to perform various cellular activities. In short, molecular machines transform energy into useful work. Understanding the mechanistical aspects underlying these m…

While only four species of slow-moving aquatic herbivores of the order Sirenia remain on Earth, many different kinds of sea cows lived over the past 47 million years. Sea cows have lived along the coasts of every continent but Antarctica, and at times …

Researchers have outlined the obstacles standing in the way of greener construction and offer practical incentives local governments can offer to encourage private green real estate development. The study also looks at the key stakeholders and building…

Researchers have discovered how certain molecular bonds make living cells both flexible, in order to move, as well as strong, in order to withstand forces. Paradoxically, it turns out that these force-sensitive catch bonds are weak and inactive most of…