Sea cucumbers change the stiffness of their skin, Venus flytraps roll up their leaves and even pine cones are capable of closing up their scales at increasing levels of humidity. In the course of evolution, Nature has managed to give rise to complex materials capable of responding to external stimuli by way of mechanical movement. Which is exactly what chemists are now trying to do as well - and with considerable success.
Jul 1st, 2014
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Small algal protein domains serve as synthetic light sensors in human cells.
Jul 1st, 2014
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The latest generation of DNA sequencers allows all the genes of a plant, as well as any pathogens present, to be charted literally within a few days.
Jul 1st, 2014
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By confining colonies of human embryonic stem cells to tiny circular patterns on glass plates, researchers have for the first time coaxed them into organizing themselves just as they would under natural conditions.
Jul 1st, 2014
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The evolution of the ribosome, a large molecular structure found in the cells of all species, has been revealed in unprecedented detail in a new study.
Jun 30th, 2014
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Chinese scientists are planning to build a 'brain database' in a bid to identify clues to tackling cerebral diseases and related disorders.
Jun 30th, 2014
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Researchers have demonstrated that when exposed to repeated cycles of antibiotics, within days bacteria can evolve a new adaptation, by remaining dormant for the treatment period to survive antibiotic stress. The results show for the first time that bacteria can develop a biological timer to survive antibiotic exposure. With this new understanding, scientists could develop new approaches for slowing the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
Jun 30th, 2014
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By labelling the ends of thousands of microtubules, which are indispensable and extremely dynamic and variable, researchers have finally been able to follow their distribution and movement during the assembly of the mitotic spindle.
Jun 30th, 2014
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With the plethora of research and published studies on stem cells over the last decade, many would say that the definition of stem cells is well established and commonly agreed upon. However, a new review article suggests that scientists have only scratched the surface of understanding the nature, physiology and location of these cells.
Jun 30th, 2014
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Researchers have made a giant leap towards the goal of 'bio-printing' transplantable tissues and organs for people affected by major diseases and trauma injuries, a new study reports.
Jun 30th, 2014
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Scientists have discovered a widely distributed group of marine bacteria that produce compounds nearly identical to toxic man-made fire retardants.
Jun 29th, 2014
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Researchers have developed new methods to trace the life history of individual cells back to their origins in the fertilised egg. By looking at the copy of the human genome present in healthy cells, they were able to build a picture of each cell's development from the early embryo on its journey to become part of an adult organ.
Jun 29th, 2014
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New light-sensitive protein enables simpler, more powerful optogenetics.
Jun 29th, 2014
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Study presents a new theoretical foundation explaining the mechanism of protein folding and unfolding in water.
Jun 26th, 2014
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Scientists have found a 'Trojan horse' way to deliver proteins into live human cells without damaging them. The finding is expected to be easily adopted for use in medical research to find cures and treatments for a wide range of diseases.
Jun 26th, 2014
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Scientists are reporting the next step in the evolution of wound treatment with a material that leads to faster healing than existing commercial dressings and prevents potentially harmful bacteria from sticking.
Jun 25th, 2014
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Scientists report a clearer understanding of how mussels stick to surfaces, which could lead to new classes of adhesives that will work underwater and even inside the body.
Jun 25th, 2014
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A device proposed by researchers at Sweden's KTH Royal Institute of Technology could offer a more reliable alternative for detecting biomarkers in patients facing such illnesses as cancer or malaria.
Jun 25th, 2014
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