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New study reveals a troubling aspect of microplastics

As the plastic in our oceans breaks up into smaller and smaller bits without breaking down chemically, the resulting microplastics are becoming a serious ecological problem.

24 Dec 2020

Many light smokers meet the criteria for nicotine addiction

Even people who consider themselves to be casual cigarette smokers may be addicted, according to current diagnostic criteria. Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and Duke University found that many light smokers -- those who smoke one to four cigarettes per day or fewer -- meet the criteria for nicotine addiction and should therefore be considered for treatment.

24 Dec 2020

New project to study origin and major pathways of pollutants into coastal lagoons

A scientific project led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena will study the major pathways delivering nutrients, trace metals and pollutants.

24 Dec 2020

Scientists identify new weapon to fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

As scientists around the globe wage war against a novel, deadly virus, one University of Colorado Boulder lab is working on new weapons to battle a different microbial threat: a rising tide of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which, if left unchecked, could kill an estimated 10 million people annually by 2050.

24 Dec 2020

Researchers use different colors of light to control gut bacteria genes

Baylor College of Medicine researcher Meng Wang had already shown that bacteria that make a metabolite called colanic acid (CA) could extend the lifespan of worms in her lab by as much as 50%, but her collaboration with Rice University synthetic biologist Jeffrey Tabor is providing tools to answer the bigger question of how the metabolite imparts longer life.

23 Dec 2020

Semi-artificial electrode could convert light energy into other energy forms in biosolar cells

A research team from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), together with colleagues from Lisbon, has produced a semi-artificial electrode that could convert light energy into other forms of energy in biosolar cells.

22 Dec 2020

Researchers design effective material to speed up the production of hydrogen fuel

Hydrogen is a sustainable source of clean energy that avoids toxic emissions and can add value to multiple sectors in the economy including transportation, power generation, metals manufacturing, among others.

22 Dec 2020

Novel microscope could allow surgeons to inspect cancer margins in minutes

When surgeons remove cancer, one of the first questions is, "Did they get it all?" Researchers from Rice University and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have created a new microscope that can quickly and inexpensively image large tissue sections, potentially during surgery, to find the answer.

21 Dec 2020

New version of phototoxic protein helps control intracellular processes

Researchers have designed an improved version of a genetically encoded phototoxic synthesizer that helps regulate intracellular processes through light.

18 Dec 2020

New method boosts the extraction of vegetable oil from plants

Vegetable oils provide significant health benefits, like reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and lowering cholesterol levels.

18 Dec 2020

New model shows how the brain uses "gating" phenomenon to control information

Getting computers to "think" like humans is the holy grail of artificial intelligence, but human brains turn out to be tough acts to follow. T

17 Dec 2020

New study targets small proteins in Salmonella to combat the pathogen

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning upon infection, with acute diarrhea.

17 Dec 2020

ECSIT protein can shed light on the origin of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have found how a protein governs the behavior of proteins associated with the activity in mitochondria, which is impacted in Alzheimer's disease.

17 Dec 2020

Microplastics found in drinking water

Now, a new study has shown that there are high levels of microplastics in the human diet and that drinking water is a significant source.

17 Dec 2020

Gene expression database sheds light on pneumococcal infection

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine published one of the most comprehensive analyses of how genes get expressed during infection (known as a transcriptome).

16 Dec 2020

Scientists invent new RNA drug-discovery tool for undruggable diseases

Imagine trying to throw a bullseye when the dartboard lies buried within a crumpled box. That's the challenge faced by scientists working to make new medicines for some "undruggable" diseases, including a type of metastatic breast cancer.

16 Dec 2020

Study sheds new light on a genetic developmental disorder

The rare hereditary developmental disorder, called Meier-Gorlin syndrome, or MGS for short, causes dwarfism, missing patella, a small brain, small ears, and other skeletal abnormalities. This condition leads to stillbirths and miscarriages in severe cases.

15 Dec 2020

New electrochemical technology helps produce ammonia-based fertilizer from urea

Self-sufficiency in waste management and food cultivation is very important from the perspective of upcoming societies, particularly in highly closed surroundings, like a space station. However, there is still a dearth of technology to realize this dream.

15 Dec 2020

Study may lead to future investigations of evolution in the tropical biodiversity hotspots

For decades, scientists have worked to understand the intricacies of biological diversity--from genetic and species diversity to ecological diversity.

14 Dec 2020

Olefins formed by light-driven catalyst can help produce drugs, agrochemicals

Taking a cue from light-sensing bacteria that live close to hot oceanic vents, synthetic chemists from Rice University have identified a mild process to produce useful hydrocarbons, called alkenes, or olefins.

11 Dec 2020