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Categories: Biology: Biochemistry, Environmental: General
Published Skunks' warning stripes less prominent where predators are sparse, study finds
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Striped skunks are less likely to evolve with their famous and white markings where the threat of predation from mammals is low, scientists have discovered.
Published A stronger core for better plant breeding
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A new software tool with enhanced genome-sequencing powers has been developed, increasing the speed and accuracy at which researchers can improve plants through breeding.
Published Sophisticated swarming: Bacteria support each other across generations
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When bacteria build communities, they cooperate and share nutrients across generations. Researchers have been able to demonstrate this for the first time using a newly developed method. This innovative technique enables the tracking of gene expression during the development of bacterial communities over space and time.
Published Tiny beads preserve enzymes for biocatalysis
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Some enzymes, such as the one derived from fungi and investigated in this study, are able to produce valuable substances such as the fragrance (R)-1-phenylethanol. To this end, they convert a less expensive substrate using a co-substrate. A research team came up with the idea of supplying them with this co-substrate using a plasma -- a somewhat crazy idea, as plasmas generally have a destructive effect on biomolecules. However, by employing several tricks, the researchers did indeed succeed. They have now refined one of these tricks and thus improved the process: They attach the enzymes to tiny beads in order to hold them in place at the bottom of the reactor, where they are protected from the damaging effects of the plasma.
Published Looking for 'LUCA' and the timing of cellular evolution
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LUCA, the 'last universal common ancestor' of all living organisms, lived 4.32 to at most 4.52 billion years ago. What LUCA looked like is unknown, but it must have been a cell with among others ribosomal proteins and an ATP synthase.
Published Laser-powered 'tweezers' reveal universal mechanism viruses use to package up DNA
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Researchers have used laser-powered ‘optical tweezers’ to reveal a universal motor mechanism used by viruses for packaging their DNA into infectious particles.
Published Researchers shed light on how one deadly pathogen makes its chemicals
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Investigators have played a key role in deciphering a previously unidentified cluster of genes responsible for producing sartorypyrones, a chemical made by the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, whose family causes Aspergillosis in humans.
Published How gut microbes help alleviate constipation
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Scientists have identified the genes in the probiotic Bifidobacteria longum responsible for improving gut motility. A research team found that B. longum strains possessing the abfA cluster of genes can ameliorate constipation through enhanced utilization of an indigestible fiber called arabinan in the gut.
Published Massive Antarctic ozone hole over past four years: What is to blame?
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Despite public perception, the Antarctic ozone hole has been remarkably massive and long-lived over the past four years; researchers believe chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) aren't the only things to blame.
Published Deep-sea mining and warming trigger stress in a midwater jellies
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The deep sea is home to one of the largest animal communities on earth which is increasingly exposed to environmental pressures. However, our knowledge of its inhabitants and their response to human-induced stressors is still limited. A new study now provides first insights into the stress response of a pelagic deep-sea jellyfish to ocean warming and sediment plumes caused by deep-sea mining.
Published Effect of aerosol particles on clouds and the climate captured better
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Global measurements and model calculations show that the complex relationship between the chemistry and climate impact of aerosol particles can be successfully captured by a simple formula.
Published Outlook on scaling of carbon removal technologies
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The research makes it clear that ensuring the sustained well-being of our planet requires a more serious commitment toward new carbon dioxide removal technologies, and a faster scale-up of their production.
Published Unearthing how a carnivorous fungus traps and digests worms
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A new analysis sheds light on the molecular processes involved when a carnivorous species of fungus known as Arthrobotrys oligospora senses, traps and consumes a worm.
Published Forest modeling shows which harvest rotations lead to maximum carbon sequestration
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Forest modeling shows that a site's productivity -- an indicator of how fast trees grow and how much biomass they accumulate -- is the main factor that determines which time period between timber harvests allows for maximum above-ground carbon sequestration.
Published Coffee grounds may hold key to preventing neurodegenerative diseases
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A team of researchers found that caffeic-acid based Carbon Quantum Dots (CACQDs), which can be derived from spent coffee grounds, have the potential to protect brain cells from the damage caused by several neurodegenerative diseases.
Published Protect delicate polar ecosystems by mapping biodiversity
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Concerted action is required to mitigate the impact of warming on polar ecosystems and sustainably manage these unique habitats.
Published New percussion method to detect pipeline elbow erosion
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An engineering research team is pioneering a new method, based on percussion, to detect pipeline elbow erosion to prevent economic losses, environmental pollution and other safety issues.
Published Reading the mouse mind from its face: New tool decodes neural activity using facial movements
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Facemap uses a mouse's facial movements to predict brain activity, bringing researchers one step closer to understanding brain-wide signals driven by spontaneous behaviors.
Published Massive 2022 eruption reduced ozone layer levels
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The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano changed the chemistry and dynamics of the stratosphere in the year following the eruption, leading to unprecedented losses in the ozone layer of up to 7% over large areas of the Southern Hemisphere.
Published Urban environmental exposures drive increased breast cancer incidence
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An analysis of breast cancer showed that the state’s urban counties had higher overall incidences of disease than rural counties, especially at early stages upon diagnosis.