For The Better

Strong electric fields can be used to create pores in biomembranes. The method is known as electroporation. Inducing such defects in membranes in a targeted manner is an important technique in medicine and biotechnology, but also in the treatment of fo…

A micro-architected material made from tiny knots proves tougher and more durable than unknotted counterparts.

It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. In this case, the ‘job’ is the breakdown of lignin, the structural biopolymer that gives stems, bark and branches their signature woodiness. One of the most abundant terrestrial polymers on Earth, lignin su…

Researchers find that 10 gigatons of carbon dioxide may need to be pulled from Earth’s atmosphere and oceans annually to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. A diverse suite of carbon dioxide removal methods will be key.

Atmospheric rivers, which are long, narrow bands of water vapor, are becoming more intense and frequent with climate change. A new study demonstrates that a recently developed scale for atmospheric river intensity (akin to the hurricane scale) can be u…

Researchers have discovered early social learning in insects. They found signaling communicated by honey bees about food sources — transmitted through a ‘waggle dance’ — is an intricate form of social learning and one of the most complex known exampl…

Researchers have completed the most advanced brain map to date, that of an insect, a landmark achievement in neuroscience that brings scientists closer to true understanding of the mechanism of thought.

As almost 200 countries agree a legally-binding treaty to protect the High Seas, a collaboration of experts in ocean plastic pollution and satellite technology has urged world leaders to learn lessons from the management of the High Seas and act now to…

Researchers use UK Biobank data to uncover new information about rare diseases of the eye.

Researchers have examined how patient characteristics and COVID-19 infection may affect the antibody responses of people with HIV — including responses against SARS-CoV-2 proteins as well as proteins from other viruses.