Researchers have uncovered what may be a universal cause of aging, one that applies to both single cell organisms such as yeast and multicellular organisms, including mammals. This is the first time that such an evolutionarily conserved aging mechanism has been identified between such diverse organisms. The mechanism probably dates back more than one billion [...]
Continue reading about Potentially Universal Mechanism Of Aging Identified
Evolutionary theory points to a new approach to combat drug resistance in disease-causing organisms and in cancer, according to new research. Keeping germs from cooperating can delay the evolution of drug resistance more effectively than killing germs one by one with traditional drugs such as antibiotics.
Continue reading about Stopping Germs From Ganging Up On Humans
Materials engineers have created a new type of membrane that separates oil from water and, if perfected, might be used for environmental cleanup, water purification and industrial applications.
Continue reading about New Filtering Technology Has Environmental, Industrial Applications
The blood-thinning drug heparin is highly effective when used to prevent and treat blood clots in veins, arteries and lungs, but earlier this year its reputation as a lifesaver was sullied when contaminated heparin products caused serious allergic reactions that led to a large number of deaths.
Continue reading about Simple New Method Detects Contaminants In Life-saving Drug
Researchers have shed light on a basic process that could improve future solar cells. They have now directly measured the rate of hole transfer between identical porphyrin compounds in their ground states. These results are key to understanding the fundamental processes underlying charge separation and have applications for improving the efficiency of solar cells.
Continue reading about Precise Measurement Of Phenomenon Advances Solar Cell Understanding
Research could finally provide evidence of the first stages of the evolution of separate sexes, a theory that holds that males and females developed from hermaphroditic ancestors. These early stages are not completely understood because the majority of animal species developed into the arguably less titillating separate-sex state too long ago for scientists to observe [...]
Continue reading about Two From One: Evolution Of Genders From Hermaphroditic Ancestors Mapped Out
Since the age of dinosaurs, turtles have looked pretty much as they do now with their shells intact, and scientists lacked conclusive evidence to support competing evolutionary theories. Now with the discovery in China of the oldest known turtle fossil, estimated at 220 million years old, scientists have a clearer picture of how the turtle [...]
Marijuana can be an effective painkiller, but social issues and unhealthy smoke inhalation complicate its use. As a result, researchers have focused great attention on understanding the biochemical system involved so they might manipulate it by other means. Toward that end, scientists have definitively identified a chemical pathway that, in mice, imitates marijuana’s painkilling effect. [...]
Continue reading about Marijuana-inspired Painkiller? New Chemical Pathway Discovered
Alex Martin placed rats in a partially echo-free, sound-proof chamber and simultaneously played two types of sounds: Gaussian sound (containing all frequencies) of 25 decibels and a pure sound (made up of one frequency). He found that auditory neurons respond to a pure sound even if there is background noise.
Continue reading about A Good Ear: Rats Identify Specific Sounds In Noisy Environments
Researchers have identified a molecule that could be the key to understanding the cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neurone disease. This insight opens up the possibilities for developing new treatments to treat these devastating progressive conditions.
Continue reading about Cause And Possible Treatment Of Motor Neurone Disease Illuminated