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Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting biodegradable solution to plastic pollution
A common insect larva that eats beeswax has been found to break down chemical bonds in the plastic used for packaging and shopping bags at uniquely high speeds. Scientists say the discovery could lead to a biotechnological approach to the polyethylene waste that chokes oceans and landfills.
Posted: Apr 24th, 2017
Read moreAtomic-level motion may drive bacteria's ability to evade immune system defenses
A new study has found evidence that extremely small changes in how atoms move in bacterial proteins can play a big role in how these microorganisms function and evolve.
Posted: Apr 21st, 2017
Read moreFungi have enormous potential for new antibiotics
Fungi are a potential goldmine for the production of pharmaceuticals. This is shown by researchers, who have developed a method for finding new antibiotics from nature's own resources.
Posted: Apr 20th, 2017
Read moreGrowing blood in the lab
Red blood cells derived from stem cells could offer a limitless supply for transfusions.
Posted: Apr 19th, 2017
Read moreSkin model replaces experiments on humans
Researchers have developed an artificial gelatine-based skin model that simulates human skin almost perfectly.
Posted: Apr 19th, 2017
Read moreHigh-resolution imaging with conventional microscopes
Tissue-expansion technique could allow scientists to map brain circuits.
Posted: Apr 18th, 2017
Read moreFrom moo to goo: Cooperating microbes convert methane to alternative fuel source (w/video)
Scientists have developed a new system to convert methane into a deep green, energy-rich, gelatin-like substance that can be used as the basis for biofuels and other bioproducts, specialty chemicals - and even feed for cows that create the gas in the first place.
Posted: Apr 13th, 2017
Read moreSynthetic biologists engineer inflammation-sensing gut bacteria
Bioengineers demo new class of minimally invasive biosensors.
Posted: Apr 7th, 2017
Read moreHoming system delivers drugs to specific neurons (w/video)
New technique reveals synaptic contributions to Parkinson's Disease.
Posted: Apr 7th, 2017
Read moreScientists expand ability of stem cells to regrow any tissue type
Scientists are reporting their discovery of a chemical cocktail that enables cultured mouse and human stem cells to generate both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues.
Posted: Apr 7th, 2017
Read moreMaking spines from sea water
How do creatures like sea urchins take up the calcium they need to build hard structures?
Posted: Apr 7th, 2017
Read moreUnexpected protein structure findings could lead to new therapies
Scientists reveal surprising features on an enigmatic protein. The findings uncover potential new paths to drugs for numerous chronic illnesses.
Posted: Apr 6th, 2017
Read moreNo sugar coating, but sweet nonetheless
A research team was able to create a microprobe that grows into the neural tissue without inflammation and with the help of a medicinal coating. Even after twelve weeks it is still able to deliver strong signals.
Posted: Apr 5th, 2017
Read moreHow to hack a cell
A new study outlines a new simplified platform to target and program mammalian cells as genetic circuits, even complex ones, more quickly and efficiently.
Posted: Apr 5th, 2017
Read moreTaking the sting out of bone repair
Spherical biodegradable carriers support scalable and cost-effective stem cell expansion and bone formation for tissue engineering.
Posted: Apr 5th, 2017
Read moreChoosing the right substrate for the right function
Scientists have discovered a unique molecular mechanism responsible for the substrate preference of ubiquitin-specific proteases.
Posted: Apr 4th, 2017
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