Science & Technology
Cities are making mammals bigger
While climate change is causing some animals to shrink, a new study shows urbanization is causing many mammal species to grow both bigger and longer, possibly because of readily available food in places packed with people.
Study details robust T-cell response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines — a more durable source of protection
Messenger-RNA (mRNA) vaccines against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 provoke a swift and strong response by the immune system’s T cells — the heavy armor of the immune system, according to a new study.
Zinc’s oxidation state can be made +3, fundamentally changing the element’s chemistry
Zinc traditionally has a valence of two, meaning two electrons take part in the element’s chemical reaction. A new article shows that the chemistry of zinc can be fundamentally changed, making it trivalent — or a valence of three — with the proper re…
Development and evolution of dolphin, whale blowholes
New research is shedding light on how the nasal passage of dolphins and whales shifts during embryonic development from emerging at the tip of the snout to emerging at the top of the head as a blowhole. The findings are an integrative model for this de…
New analysis of landmark scurvy study leads to update on vitamin C needs
Review of a landmark, 1944 study on adequate vitamin C levels leads researchers to challenge the WHO’s recommended daily amounts.
Existing drug may help improve responses to cellular therapies in advanced leukemias
A new study shows how to overcome resistance to CAR T cell therapy with an experimental small molecule inhibitor.
Heavily enriched: An energy-efficient way of enriching hydrogen isotopes in silicon
Deuterium, a heavier but less abundant version of the hydrogen atom, has many practical applications. Unfortunately, producing deuterium and using it to protect silicon-based semiconductors requires a lot of energy and very expensive deuterium gas. Now…
Experimental drug that boosts immunotherapy shows promise in bladder cancer study
Researchers have found adding the experimental drug entinostat to an immunotherapy-like treatment substantially boosted cancer remission in mice. This approach shows such promise that it’s already being tested in an ongoing clinical trial in people wit…
A defective potassium channel disrupts the brain’s navigation system
The potassium channel KCNQ3 is required for our brain to generate accurate spatial maps. In mice, defects in KCNQ3 function have measurable effects on the internal navigation system.
Blood clotting may be the root cause of Long COVID syndrome, research shows
New evidence shows that patients with Long COVID syndrome continue to have higher measures of blood clotting, which may help explain their persistent symptoms, such as reduced physical fitness and fatigue.