Research of water droplet interfaces that offer the secret ingredient for building life
Scientists have experimental evidence that the key step in protein formation can occur in droplets of pure water.
Science & Technology
Brain mechanism teaches mice to avoid bullies
Like humans, mice live in complex social groups, fight over territory and mates, and learn when it is safer to avoid certain opponents. After losing even a brief fight, the defeated animals will flee from the mice that hurt them for weeks afterward, a …
New tool reveals gene behavior in bacteria
Researchers showed that the way in which genes are turned on and off as bacteria grow provide clues to their regulation.
Chemists use the blockchain to simulate over 4 billion chemical reactions essential to the origins of life
Cryptocurrency is usually ‘mined’ through the blockchain by asking a computer to perform a complicated mathematical problem in exchange for tokens of cryptocurrency. But now a team of chemists have repurposed this process, asking computers to instead g…
Syphilis-like diseases were widespread in Americas before arrival of Columbus
Researchers have discovered the genetic material of the pathogen Treponema pallidum in the bones of people who died in Brazil 2,000 years ago. This is the oldest verified discovery of this pathogen thus far, and it proves that humans were suffering fro…
Global groundwater depletion is accelerating, but is not inevitable
Groundwater is rapidly declining across the globe, often at accelerating rates. Researchers now present the largest assessment of groundwater levels around the world, spanning nearly 1,700 aquifers. In addition to raising the alarm over declining water…
Atmospheric pressure changes could be driving Mars’ elusive methane pulses
New research shows that atmospheric pressure fluctuations that pull gases up from underground could be responsible for releasing subsurface methane into Mars’ atmosphere; knowing when and where to look for methane can help the Curiosity rover search fo…
New pieces in the puzzle of first life on Earth
Microorganisms were the first forms of life on our planet. The clues are written in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks by geochemical and morphological traces, such as chemical compounds or structures that these organisms left behind. However, it is still not …
New model predicts how shoe properties affect a runner’s performance
A new model predicts how shoe properties will affect a runner’s performance. The model could be a tool for designers looking to push the boundaries of sneaker design.
New study unveils how plants control the production of reactive oxygen species
Reactive oxygen species (ROS), though generally regarded as toxic byproducts of biological processes, serve many important functions in plants. However, the precise mechanism that plants use to regulate the production of ROS remains elusive. In a recen…
World’s largest database of weeds lets scientists peer into the past, and future, of global agriculture
A new database of weeds that can help scientists understand how traditional agricultural systems were managed throughout history, could also provide insights into how global trends like the climate crisis could affect the resilience of our modern day f…
Live animal transport regulations not ‘fit for purpose’, major international study finds
A ‘fitness check’ of regulations in five countries meant to protect animals during transportation, has deemed that they all fall short of fully protecting animals during transport. Findings from this interdisciplinary work involving animal welfare scie…
Walking fitness can predict fracture risk in older adults
The ability to walk one kilometer comfortably can help predict fracture risk, according to researchers. The findings suggest that simply asking a patient about walking limitation could allow clinicians to identify those in need of further bone health s…