Science & Technology

Producing biomaterials that match the performance of cartilage and tendons has been an elusive goal for scientists, but a new material demonstrates a promising new approach to mimicking natural tissue.

After almost two decades of synchrotron experiments, scientists have captured a clear picture of a cell’s nuclear pores, which are the doors and windows through which critical material in your body flows in and out of the cell’s nucleus. These findings…

Gregor Mendel, the Moravian monk, was indeed ‘decades ahead of his time and truly deserves the title of ‘founder of genetics.” So concludes an international team of scientists as the 200th birthday of Mendel approaches on 20 July.

In 2019, astronomers observed the nearest example to date of a star that was shredded, or ‘spaghettified,’ after approaching too close to a massive black hole. That tidal disruption of a sun-like star by a black hole 1 million times more massive than i…

A new study can help guide proper treatment course for patients depending on heart function and severity of heart damage.

During sperm production, an enormous amount of DNA has to be packed into a very small space without breaking anything. A central role is played by certain proteins around which the DNA thread is wrapped — the protamines. A recent study provides new in…

Researchers have captured images of an auto-antibody bound to a nerve cell surface receptor, revealing the physical mechanism behind a neurological autoimmune disease. The findings could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat autoimmune conditions, the…

While more and more pathogens have developed biofilms that protect them from being eradicated by antibiotics, fewer classes of antibiotics are being developed. Researchers decided to go in a different direction and investigated a phytochemical derived …

Using four unrelated strains of the microscopic nematode C. elegans originating from different parts of the world, a group of worm biologists have developed a model system to study individual differences in metabolism. This advancement represents a pot…

Bioscientists learn to trigger ‘silent’ gene clusters in bacteria that could be rich sources of new antibiotic candidates.

Adults with abnormal heart metabolism are up to three times more likely to experience life-threatening arrhythmias (an irregular heart rhythm), and MRI techniques could be used to detect the condition and predict future sudden cardiac death (SCD), acco…

What if you could power the smart thermostats, speakers and lights in your home with a kitchen countertop? Stones, such as marble and granite, are natural, eco-friendly materials that many people building or renovating houses already use. Now, in a ste…

Frequent players of video games show superior sensorimotor decision-making skills and enhanced activity in key regions of the brain as compared to non-players, according to a recent study.

When NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft arrived at the asteroid Bennu, scientists discovered something surprising: The asteroid’s surface wasn’t smooth like many were expecting but was covered in large boulders. Now, a team of physicists think they know why.

A novel molecular pathway involving cell signalling proteins in the brain may explain how stress affects neuropsychiatric lupus with diffuse neuropsychological manifestations.

Pocket gophers are known for living solitary, underground lives, eating roots in North and Central American grasslands. Now, researchers have found that pocket gophers keep up with the high energy demands of their burrowing lifestyle by ‘farming’ roots…

People consistently underestimate how much others in their social circle might appreciate an unexpected phone call, text or email just to say hello, and the more surprising the connection, the greater the appreciation, according to new research.

Buildings made of porous rock can weather over the years. Now scientists have studied in detail how silicate nanoparticles can help save them. Many historical buildings were built of sandstone. It is easy to work with, but does not withstand weathering…

Researchers have created a heart-healthy, lower sodium version of traditional Chinese cuisine that was appetizing, affordable and significantly lowered blood pressure among adults diagnosed with hypertension. The heart-healthy Chinese diet reduced sodi…

People are becoming ‘disconnected from the botanical world’ at a time when plants could help solve global environmental problems, warn a group of research scientists. They say the problem has been exacerbated by schools and universities reducing their …