Biology and biotechnology – Page 4
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ResearchMechanochemically accelerated sublimations used to separate chiral molecules
New technique combines ball milling with NMR to monitor sublimations in real time
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ResearchBiocompatible battery starves cancer cells of oxygen
Implantable self-charging battery creates hypoxic conditions to help kill tumour cells
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ResearchWired-up symbiotic multi-organism can turn sunlight and air into valuable proteins
Symbiont could enable microfactories to produce biochemicals for food, farming and drugs
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ResearchSoapbark tree’s biosynthetic pathway for vaccine adjuvant saponins
Researchers use genome mining and bioengineering techniques to map out route
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ResearchRNA building block uracil recovered from near-Earth asteroid Ryugu
Japanese mission returns pristine sample to bolster idea that prebiotic chemicals could have been delivered by meteorites
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ResearchStudy challenges assumptions over how l-oligonucleotides behave in living systems
L-oligonucleotides are potentially cytotoxic but some could have unexpected therapeutic benefits
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ResearchWoodcock feathers’ nanostructure makes them the whitest ever found
The Eurasian woodcock’s white tail feathers reflect up to 55% of light –30% more than those of any other bird
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ResearchPlant biomarkers provide evidence of nerve agent attacks
Analytical method detects chemical weapon usage up to three months after exposure by probing plant proteins
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ResearchA safer, coral-friendly sunscreen is on the horizon
Polymeric UV filter doesn’t harm algae, coral or mice in tests
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ResearchThe hunt is on for vaccine ingredients that don’t come from wild sharks
Yeast can provide the raw materials and chemical wizardry can transform them
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ResearchLipophilicity helps explain psychedelic drugs’ therapeutic effects
Understanding why psychedelic drugs that bind to serotonin receptors promote neuron growth, while serotonin itself does not
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ResearchZircon study prompts redox state rethink surrounding hydrothermal pools thought to harbour life’s first molecules
Research combining experiments with modelling suggests hydrothermal fluid was 30% as saline as sea water today and more oxidised than the surrounding mantle
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ResearchOyster mushroom unleashes chemical warfare on its nematode prey
Fungus discovered to be using 3-octanone to paralyse and kill worms
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ResearchProteins behind diatoms’ intricate nanoscale-patterned shells revealed
Finding could help pattern materials for photonics, catalysis and sensors
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ResearchNanoplastics disrupt ubiquitination in human cells
High-resolution study mapping nanoparticle–protein interactions builds understanding surrounding health implications of plastic contamination
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ResearchSurprise discovery as clam found to be producing complex antibiotic
Erythromycin was previously believed to be only synthesised by bacteria
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ResearchCoca plants’ production pathway for cocaine finally unravelled
167-year-old biosynthetic mystery may be solved
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ResearchBioelectric bacteria-powered sensor detects water contaminants in real time
Synthetic biology harnessed to detect endocrine disruptor and thiosulfate
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ResearchA recipe for biodegradable mushroom batteries
Mycelium skin from wood fungus makes sustainable material for flexible electronics
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ResearchArtificially expanded genetic alphabet evolves enzymes for the first time
Libraries of short DNA sequences incorporating synthetic nucleotides perform better as enzymes than ordinary DNA