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Categories: Biology: Biochemistry, Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published Scientists' discovery could reduce dependence on animals for vital anti-blood clot drug



Heparin, the world's most widely used blood thinner, is used during procedures ranging from kidney dialysis to open heart surgery. Currently, heparin is derived from pig intestines, but scientists have discovered how to make it in the lab. They have also developed a path to a biomanufacturing process that could potentially revolutionize how the world gets its supply of this crucial medicine.
Published Artificial streams reveal how drought shapes California's alpine ecosystems



Researchers have used a series of artificial stream channels to mimic the behavior of headwater creeks under future climate change scenarios. They found that drier conditions shifted the life cycles of the algae and insects that form the base of the alpine food web. However, because species adjusted to the shifts in a variety of ways, the stream ecosystems were generally resilient to the changing conditions.
Published Genomic method of monitoring for pesticide resistance



Researchers have developed a strategy for using genomics to monitor for and identify emerging resistance to pesticides, helping farmers prolong the effectiveness of pest management tools.
Published Harnessing hydrogen at life's origin



A new report uncovers how hydrogen gas, the energy of the future, provided energy in the past, at the origin of life 4 billion years ago. Hydrogen gas is clean fuel. It burns with oxygen in the air to provide energy with no CO2. Hydrogen is a key to sustainable energy for the future. Though humans are just now coming to realize the benefits of hydrogen gas (H2 in chemical shorthand), microbes have known that H2 is good fuel for as long as there has been life on Earth. Hydrogen is ancient energy.
Published Industrial societies losing healthy gut microbes



Our eating habits in industrialized societies are far removed from those of ancient humans. This is impacting our intestinal flora, it seems, as newly discovered cellulose degrading bacteria are being lost from the human gut microbiome, especially in industrial societies.
Published Deciphering the role of bitter and astringent polyphenols in promoting well-being



Polyphenols, abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee, offer potential health benefits. However, owing to low bioavailability, the mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects remain unknown. In a recent study, researchers have explored the interaction between polyphenols and human sensory receptors. Their findings elucidate how polyphenols influence brain function and metabolic pathways by interacting with gut receptors, explaining their role in well-being and nutrition innovation.
Published A wetter world recorded in Australian coral colony



When climate scientists look to the future to determine what the effects of climate change may be, they use computer models to simulate potential outcomes such as how precipitation will change in a warming world. Some scientists are also looking at something a little more tangible: coral.
Published Genetic basis for the evolution of hair discovered in the clawed frog



The development of hair was of central importance for the evolution of mammals and thus also of humans. However, the evolutionary origin of the genetic program of hair was previously unknown. Researchers have now been able to show that important hair components and their genetic control have already evolved in amphibians. Human hair therefore shows unexpected similarities to the claws of clawed frogs.
Published Fish species that move rapidly toward the poles due to global warming decline in abundance, study finds



A new study has found a decline in the abundance of marine fish species that move rapidly toward the poles to escape rising sea temperatures. The researchers explain that many animal species are currently moving toward cooler regions as a result of global warming, but the velocity of such range shifts varies greatly for different species. Examining thousands of populations from almost 150 fish species, the researchers show that contrary to the prevailing view, rapid range shifts coincide with widescale population declines.
Published Scientists discover how Diadem butterfly mimics African Queen



Scientists have discovered how female Diadem butterflies have evolved to look like African Queen butterflies to repel predators.
Published Transforming wood waste for sustainable manufacturing



Research is exploring how to add value to lignin by breaking it down into small molecules that are structurally similar to oxygenated hydrocarbons. These renewable chemicals are key components in many industrial processes and products, but they are traditionally sourced from non-renewable petroleum.
Published How cells are ahead of the curve



The curvature of a surface determines the migration behavior of biological cells. They preferentially move along valleys or grooves while avoiding ridges. These findings gave rise to a model predicting cellular behavior. Such universal principles now allow a better understanding of the migration of immune and cancer cells, paving the way for new treatment options.
Published Self-heating concrete is one step closer to putting snow shovels and salt out of business



Researchers recently reported on the science behind its special concrete, that can warm itself up when it snows, or as temperatures approach freezing.
Published Virtual reality better than video for evoking fear, spurring climate action



Depicting worst-case climate scenarios like expanding deserts and dying coral reefs may better motivate people to support environmental policies when delivered via virtual reality, according to a research team that studied how VR and message framing affect the impact of environmental advocacy communications. The study findings may help advocacy groups decide how best to frame and deliver their messages.
Published Newborn piglets serve as a model for studying influenza



Although prevention and treatment strategies are available for influenza, they are not sufficient for vulnerable populations such as young children and newborns. A team of researchers has studied newborn piglets to better understand the progression of influenza infections.
Published Engineers measure pH in cell condensates



In a first for the condensate field, researchers have figured out how nucleolar sub-structures are assembled. This organization gives rise to unique pH profiles within nucleoli, which they measured and compared with the pH of nearby non-nucleolar condensates including nuclear speckles and Cajal bodies.
Published Fatty food before surgery may impair memory in old, young adults



Eating fatty food in the days leading up to surgery may prompt a heightened inflammatory response in the brain that interferes for weeks with memory-related cognitive function in older adults -- and, new research in animals suggests, even in young adults.
Published Oregon State researchers take deep dive into how much water is stored in snow



There's a new metric that provides a more holistic look at how much water is stored in snowpack, and for how long.
Published 'Noisy' roundworm brains give rise to individuality



Research has demonstrated individual differences in and successfully extracted commonalities from the whole-brain activity of roundworms. The researchers also found that computer simulations based on the whole-brain activity of roundworms more accurately reflect real-brain activity when they include so-called 'noise,' or probabilistic elements.
Published Gut bacteria make neurotransmitters to shape the newborn immune system



Investigators discovered that unique bacteria colonize the gut shortly after birth and make the neurotransmitter serotonin to educate gut immune cells. This prevents allergic reactions to food and the bacteria themselves during early development.