Biology – Page 14
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ResearchBiochemical secrets of tarantula’s painful bite could point to perfect painkillers
King baboon spider venom could help scientists develop potent analgesics
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ResearchNew microscope makes tracking chiral molecules in live cells possible
The instrument uses circularly polarised light to tell left- and right-handed species apart and monitor them in space and time
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ResearchLeft-handed nanoparticles are far better vaccine adjuvants than their mirror images
Chiral gold nanoparticles shown for the first time to elicit differing immune responses in cells and live mice
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OpinionThe shadow of drug resistance
Why do some medicines stop working, and can we avoid it for Covid-19 antivirals?
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ResearchEngineered enzyme speeds up sedate organic reaction
Biochemical optimisation applied to the Morita–Hillman–Baylis reaction
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ResearchEvolved enzymes carry out new-to-nature radical chemistry
Directed evolution produces enzymes that can ‘tame’ radical intermediates for asymmetric catalytic reactions
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FeatureHow protocells bridge the gap from chemistry to biology
Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to recreate what the first cells were like, or to make their own versions
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OpinionNed Seeman’s legacy
A system based on DNA ‘tiles’ can embody Darwinian evolution, raising new possibilities for understanding natural selection and materials development
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ResearchListening to quantum beats could reveal rhythm of birds’ migratory compass
Laser technique to read out oscillating spin states could help uncover how animals’ magnetic sense works
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ResearchSingle-celled marine organism first to be found releasing oxygen in the dark
Discovery of new biological pathway in widespread archaea could transform understanding of oceans’ fertility
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ResearchHeavy oil-eating microbe grown in lab for the first time
Archaeon that breaks down long alkanes into methane and carbon dioxide could be used for energy recovery from depleted oil reservoirs
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OpinionJune Lindsey, another forgotten woman in the story of DNA
Her discovery of adenine and guanine’s structure was a key part of solving the DNA double helix puzzle – yet her contributions are almost forgotten
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NewsReplication failures cast doubt on some cancer studies
Just 18% of experiments from top papers met all criteria for successful replication
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FeatureThe labs pointing to a greener future for Africa
Tackling climate is not just a job for scientists in more developed countries. Munyaradzi Makoni talks to researchers in Kenya and South Africa to find out more
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ResearchProkaryotes programmed to produce paracetamol avoid pervasive petrochemicals
Genetically modified E. coli serve as green factories for painkillers
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FeatureKeeping cell therapy under wraps
Materials to safely encapsulate transplanted cells for could enable a revolution in the treatment of diabetes and a wide range of other diseases. James Mitchell Crow reports
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ResearchGel-forming proteins could help tardigrades survive extreme conditions
Biophysical dissection of tardigrade’s disordered protein could uncover how microscopic animals survive conditions that kill most other forms of life
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OpinionHooray for milk
We’re still uncovering the secrets of breast milk, but what we know so far is fascinating
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FeatureThe science of breast milk and baby formula
Nina Notman reveals how breast milk research is inspiring a new generation of infant formulas and opening the door to therapeutic advances
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ResearchFirst carbon-making microbes discovered
Mysterious black material produced by deep sea archaea and bacteria found to be carbon