In research that gives literal meaning to the term “power suit,” engineers have created energy-scavenging nanofibers that could one day be woven into clothing and textiles. The technology could eventually lead to wearable “smart clothes” that can power hand-held electronics through ordinary body movements.
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Scientists have pinpointed specific mutations that allow a common plant virus to infect new species. Understanding the genetics of the key interactions between viruses and hosts could provide insight to how some viruses manage to jump the species barrier and even give us a better idea of how animal diseases are generated.
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Biogeochemists have developed a dynamic three-dimensional model of Earth’s early ocean chemistry that can significantly advance our understanding of how early animal life evolved on the planet. Working on rock samples from the Doushantuo Formation, South China, the research team is the first to show that Earth’s early ocean chemistry during a large portion of [...]
Continue reading about New picture of ancient ocean chemistry argues for chemically layered water
Three years after the US blood banking industry issued recommendations that discourage transfusing plasma from female donors because of a potential antibody reaction, researchers discovered that female plasma actually may have advantages.
Continue reading about Restrictions on female plasma may not be warranted
Researchers have developed a way to make some notoriously brittle materials ductile — yet stronger than ever — simply by reducing their size. The work could eventually lead to the development of innovative, superstrong, yet light and damage-tolerant materials. These new materials could be used as components in structural applications, such as in lightweight aerospace [...]
Continue reading about Nanoscale structures with superior mechanical properties developed
As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from [...]
Monarch butterflies that migrate long distances have evolved significantly larger and more elongated wings than their stationary cousins, differences that are consistent with traits known to enhance flight ability in other migratory species.
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Mice that lack a particular antioxidant enzyme show impairment of cell energy centers called mitochondria. This leads to smaller and weaker muscles, and may help scientists better understand age-related muscle atrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.
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Increased aid from developed countries, earmarked specifically for sustainable seafood infrastructure in developing countries, could improve global food security, according to a new policy paper.
Continue reading about Sustainable fisheries needed for global food security
Researchers have identified numerous novel regions of the genome where the chemical modifications involved in controlling gene expression are influenced by either genetic variation or the parental origin of that particular stretch of DNA. This contradicts previous assumptions that epigenetic signals are generally equal across both copies of a given region of the genome, except [...]
Continue reading about Epigenetic signals differ across alleles