For successful cell division, chromosomal DNA needs to be packed into compact rod-shaped structures. Defects in this process can lead to cell death or diseases like cancer. A new study has shown how chromosomes change shape during cell division. Certain protein complexes help fold DNA into overlapping loops that repel...
Household electricity three times more expensive than upcoming ‘eco-friendly’ aviation e-fuels, study reveals
Existing tax policies during the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources will lead to major energy injustices and skewed priorities, new research shows.
New real-time method for environmental monitoring
Detecting microplastics and identifying plant stress at an early stage -- this and much more can now be done thanks to a new method based on near-infrared light measurements. It is inexpensive and works in real time.
Origin of life: How microbes laid the foundation for complex cells
Who were our earliest ancestors? The answer could lie in a special group of single-celled organisms with a cytoskeleton similar to that of complex organisms, such as animals and plants.
Boosting brain’s waste removal system improves memory in old mice
Aging compromises the lymphatic vessels surrounding the brain, disabling waste drainage from the brain and impacting cognitive function. Researchers boosted lymphatic vessel integrity in old mice and found improvements in their memory compared with old mice without rejuvenated lymphatic vessels.
New eye drops slow vision loss in animals
Researchers have developed eye drops that extend vision in animal models of a group of inherited diseases that lead to progressive vision loss in humans, known as retinitis pigmentosa.
Aotearoa once home to elephant seals
Southern elephant seals are the 'canary in the coal mine' for the Southern Ocean, offering insight into how the ecosystem may react to future climate change and human impact, new research shows.
New CRISPR tool enables more seamless gene editing — and improved disease modeling
Advances in the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR-Cas9 over the past 15 years have yielded important new insights into the roles that specific genes play in many diseases. But to date this technology -- which allows scientists to use a 'guide' RNA to modify DNA sequences and evaluate the effects...
Weather emergencies affect older adults’ views on climate and health
Nearly 3 out of every 4 older Americans have experienced at least one extreme weather event in the last two years, a poll finds. And living through such an event appears to make a big difference in how they view the potential impact of climate change on their health. People...
Why do lymphatic vessels form a jigsaw puzzle-like pattern?
While researchers have long been familiar with the surface structure of lymphatic vessels, a groundbreaking study has now focused on their jigsaw puzzle-like pattern. This arrangement helps cells tolerate changes in fluid pressure, such as swelling. Similar cell shapes are found on the surface of plant leaves, and the principle...