Science & Technology
Flu causes cardiac complications by directly infecting the heart
Researchers have shown for the first time in mice that heart problems associated with the flu are not caused by raging inflammation in the lungs, as has long been predicted. Instead, the electrical malfunctions and heart scarring seen in some of the si…
Livestock and dairying led to dramatic social changes in ancient Mongolia
The movement of herders and livestock into the eastern steppe is of great interest to researchers, but few scholars have linked the introduction of herds and horses to the rise of complex societies.
Higher wheat yields and protein content on the horizon
A team of international researchers has discovered a way to produce higher quality wheat. The scientists have identified a genetic driver that improves yield traits in wheat, which unexpectedly can also lead to increasing protein content by up to 25 pe…
Designer neurons offer new hope for treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Scientists describe a process for converting non-neuronal cells into functioning neurons able to take up residence in the brain, send out their fibrous branches across neural tissue, form synapses, dispense dopamine and restore capacities undermined by…
Multiple sclerosis: Glatiramer acetate compatible with breastfeeding, study suggests
For patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), becoming a mother is fraught with difficult questions: is it acceptable to continue disease modifying treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding to keep the disease at bay, or does this put the chi…
Novel supramolecular CRISPR-Cas9 carrier enables more efficient genome editing
CRISPR-Cas9 is considered a revolutionary gene editing tool, but its applications are limited by a lack of methods by which it can be safely and efficiently delivered into cells. Recently, a research team has constructed a highly flexible CRISPR-Cas9 c…
One particle on two paths: Quantum physics is right
The famous double slit experiment shows that particles can travel on two paths at the same time — but only by looking at a lot of particles and analysing the results statistically. Now a two-path-interference experiment has been designed that only has…
Scientists study links between obesity, age and body chemistry
A team of scientists is making inroads in understanding the relationship between certain enzymes that are normally produced in the body and their role in regulating obesity and controlling liver diseases. Researchers studied male mice that lacked the C…
Hepatitis: 3D structure determination of the ‘gateway’ to the liver
Scientists have published a ground-breaking study of the structure and function of a central protein in the liver: NTCP, a cellular-entry pathway for bile salts, but also for certain hepatitis viruses. These results reveal the 3D structure of NTCP and …
Structure of ‘gliding bird’ plant protein could lead to better crops
When pathogens attack, the NPR1 protein steps in to control a plant’s immune response. Scientists have now figured out what the protein looks like and how it works — a possible boon for agriculture.
Gut microbiome composition predictive of patient response to statins
Researchers show that different patient responses to statins can be explained by the variation in the human microbiome. The findings suggest that microbiome monitoring could be used to help optimize personalized statin treatments.