Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Researchers use 'natural' system to identify proteins most useful for developing an effective HIV vaccine      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have spent years trying to develop an effective HIV vaccine, but none have proven successful. Based on findings from a recently published study, a research team may have put science one step closer to that goal.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Ecology: Endangered Species Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Light conveyed by the signal transmitting molecule sucrose controls growth of plant roots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers shows how information about the quantity of absorbed light passes from the leaves to the roots. Photosynthetic sucrose not only supplies roots with carbohydrates but also acts as a signal transmitter for light-dependent root architecture.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology
Published

That's not nuts: Almond milk yogurt packs an overall greater nutritional punch than dairy-based      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a nutritional comparison of plant-based and dairy yogurts, almond milk yogurt came out on top, according to new research.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Scientists unveil RNA-guided mechanisms driving cell fate      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The early stages of embryonic development contain many of life's mysteries. Unlocking these mysteries can help us better understand early development and birth defects, and help develop new regenerative medicine treatments. Researchers have now characterized a critical time in mammalian embryonic development using powerful and innovative imaging techniques.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Paleontology: General
Published

Quarter-ton marsupial roamed long distances across Australia's arid interior      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

One of Australia's first long-distance walkers has been described after palaeontologists used advanced 3D scans and other technology to take a new look at the partial remains of a 3.5 million year old marsupial from central Australia.   They have named a new genus of diprotodontid Ambulator, meaning walker or wanderer, because the locomotory adaptations of the legs and feet of this quarter-tonne animal would have made it well suited to roam long distances in search of food and water when compared to earlier relatives.

Space: Astronomy Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

Astronomers discover last three planets Kepler telescope observed before going dark      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

With the help of citizen scientists, astronomers discovered what may be the last three planets that the Kepler Space Telescope saw before it was retired.

Biology: Biochemistry
Published

Junk food may impair our deep sleep      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a new study, researchers have investigated how junk food affects sleep. Healthy participants consumed an unhealthier as well as a healthier diet in a randomized order. After the unhealthier diet, the quality of the participants' deep sleep had deteriorated, compared with those who had followed the healthier diet.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Evolution driving improvements in racehorse speed      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has found that genetic improvement is underlying the increasing speed of Britain's thoroughbreds. This contrasts with earlier studies that suggested racehorses were showing no genetic improvement in response to selection by breeders.

Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Paleontology: Fossils
Published

4,000-year-old plague DNA found -- the oldest cases to date in Britain      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified three 4,000-year-old British cases of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria causing the plague -- the oldest evidence of the plague in Britain to date.

Biology: Biochemistry Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

107-million-year-old pterosaur bones: Oldest in Australia      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers have confirmed that 107-million-year-old pterosaur bones discovered more than 30 years ago are the oldest of their kind ever found in Australia, providing a rare glimpse into the life of these powerful, flying reptiles that lived among the dinosaurs.

Biology: Biochemistry Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Biological specimens imaged with X-rays without damage      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have managed to image delicate biological structures without damaging them. Their new technique generates high resolution X-ray images of dried biological material that has not been frozen, coated, or otherwise altered beforehand -- all with little to no damage to the sample. This method, which is also used for airport baggage scanning, can generate images of the material at nanometer resolution.

Biology: Biochemistry
Published

Low-flavanol diet drives age-related memory loss, large study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Age-related memory loss is likely caused, in part, by lack of flavanols -- nutrients found in certain fruits and vegetables -- according to a large study in older adults.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features Space: The Solar System
Published

One-third of galaxy's most common planets could be in habitable zone      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A third of the exoplanets orbiting common M dwarf stars have gentle enough orbits to potentially be in the habitable zone capable of hosting liquid water.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Astronomy Space: Astrophysics Space: Cosmology Space: Exploration Space: General Space: Structures and Features
Published

X-ray emissions from black hole jets vary unexpectedly, challenging leading model of particle acceleration      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Black hole jets are known to emit x-rays, but how they accelerate particles to this high-energy state is still a mystery. Surprising new findings appear to rule out a leading theory, opening the door to reimagining how particle acceleration works. One model of how jets generate x-rays expects the jets' x-ray emissions to remain stable over long time scales. However, the new paper found that the x-ray emissions of a statistically significant number of jets varied over just a few years.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Ecology: Endangered Species Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Groundbreaking images of root chemicals offer new insights on plant growth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Applying imaging technology to plant roots, researchers have developed a new understanding of chemicals that are responsible for plant growth. The chemical 'roadmap' identifies where key molecules are distributed along corn roots and how their placement factors into the plant's maturation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Microbiology
Published

Researchers show that IgA fine tunes the body's interactions with microbes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has demonstrated that IgA acts as a 'tuner' that regulates the number of microbes the body sees every day, restraining the systemic immune response to these commensal microbes and limiting the development of systemic immune dysregulation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Protein-based nano-'computer' evolves in ability to influence cell behavior      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The first protein-based nano-computing agent that functions as a circuit has been created. The milestone puts them one step closer to developing next-generation cell-based therapies to treat diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Research offers clues for potential widespread HIV cure in people      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New animal research is helping explain why at least five people have become HIV-free after receiving a stem cell transplant, and may bring scientists closer to developing what they hope will be a widespread cure for the virus that causes AIDS. A new study describes how two nonhuman primates were cured of the monkey form of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant. It also reveals that two circumstances must co-exist for a cure to occur and documents the order in which HIV is cleared from the body.