Biology and biotechnology
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Research
Microplastics passed on during cell division
New research sheds light on the influence of microplastics on cellular processes
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Research
Deep learning algorithm predicts structures of biomolecular assemblies
RoseTTAFold extended to predict structures of proteins bound to small molecules
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Research
Enzyme engineering makes blue denim greener
Environmentally friendlier alternative to indigo dye can now be made at a competitive price
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Research
Striking reptilian fossil discovered in 1931 found to be fake
280-million-year-old lizard ‘fossil’ was mostly painted on
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Research
Blueberries’ blue is just skin deep, depending on structure not pigments
Non-spherical nanostructures explain the fruit’s colour
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Research
Human decomposition driven by unique community of microbes
Findings could help crime scene investigators determine time of death
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Research
Engineered enzymes break down silicon–carbon bonds in siloxane, an emerging pollutant
Directed evolution offers a way to tackle waste silicone
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Research
Violent volcanic lightning created the nitrogen compounds essential for the chemistry that led to life
First direct evidence of nitrates linked to eruptions discovered
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Research
Heavy metals are potential ovarian toxicants
Exposure to metals like arsenic, cadmium and mercury linked to reduced egg production, earlier menopause for middle-aged women
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Unravelling enzyme pathway of Taxol precursor brings synthetic production of cancer medicine closer
Expression of nine genes in tobacco plants led to formation of complex precursor of drug
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Research
E. coli rewired to shift carbon flow towards C4 chemicals
Bioengineering strategy creates evolutionary advantage linking cell growth with product formation
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Research
PFAS linked to foetal metabolism disorders
‘Forever chemicals’ in the livers of unborn children can alter lipid metabolism and may increase the risk of metabolic disease in adulthood
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Research
D-trypsin synthesis enables sequencing of mirror-image proteins
Reversing the chirality of a protein-digesting enzyme could aid the development of mirror-image therapeutics
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Research
Autonomous platform engineers enhanced proteins
AI-powered robotic system designs and optimises proteins following its own ‘scientific method’
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Research
Explainer: What are water microdroplets and why are chemists talking about them?
Researchers are struggling to agree on the underlying reasons for accelerated rates and altered reaction mechanisms in water microdroplets. Here’s what we do know and where open questions lie…
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Research
Invasive zebra mussels’ unique sticky threads unraveled
New understanding of byssal threads finds similarities with spider silk making them unlike any other mussels’
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Research
High mercury levels in tropical birds in Americas blamed on gold mining
Exotic birds are the canary in the gold mine when it comes to mercury pollution and provide warning that other animals, including humans, affected
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Research
Biocatalysis breakthrough enables synthesis of lactam building blocks for drugs
Enzymatic cyclisation of oxazolone reagents offers a cheap and simple route to important antibiotic precursor
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Research
Molecular movie captures DNA repair from start to finish
Study spans pico- to microsecond timescales to uncover enzymatic process