Biochemistry

RSS

Scientists discover how a 'sociable' protein can hold clues about Alzheimer's origin

An international team of scientists led by the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, have found how the ECSIT protein dictates the behavior of proteins linked to the energy activity in mitochondria, which is largely affected in Alzheimer's disease.

16 Dec 2020

Using an evaporation-based approach to turn sweat against itself

Body odor is an unpleasant smell, produced when bacteria living on the skin break down the proteins in sweat.

16 Dec 2020

Regulating a protein channel responsible for transporting chloride across cell membranes

Laboratory cell experiments and computer simulations have revealed molecular mechanisms regulating a protein channel responsible for transporting chloride and other charged molecules across cell membranes.

16 Dec 2020

Researchers discover and describe two fungal species for the first time

University of Copenhagen researchers have found and described two fungal species for the first time. The fungi infect adult flies and subsequently create a hole in the abdomen of their hosts' bodies.

15 Dec 2020

Study assesses the sensory acceptance of sheep milk kefir sweetened with different sugars

The study of human emotions can be used to gauge the sensory acceptance of dairy products. A possible route to increase worldwide consumption of sheep milk kefir may be to improve its sensory acceptance, which can be a determining factor for its inclusion in daily diets.

15 Dec 2020

Drug may increase vaccine protection in older adults

A drug that boosts the removal of cellular debris in immune cells may increase the protective effects of vaccines in older adults, a study published today in eLife shows.

15 Dec 2020

First enzyme-driven biocatalytic production of nucleic acid building blocks

Researchers from TU Graz and acib succeed in the first enzyme-driven biocatalytic synthesis of nucleic acid building blocks. This facilitates the development of antiviral agents and RNA-based therapeutics.

15 Dec 2020

Study: Silica offers the best environmental alternative to plastic microbeads

Following bans on plastic microbeads in wash-off cosmetics, a new study weighs up the environmental costs of alternatives. Microbeads have been included in personal care and cosmetic products ranging from toothpaste and sunscreen to body scrubs and industrial hand cleaners, usually to improve qualities like abrasiveness.

15 Dec 2020

RUDN chemists discover previously unknown derivatives of chitin

Chemists from RUDN University discovered previously unknown derivatives of chitin, a biopolymer that forms the exoskeletons of insects and carapaces of crayfish and other arthropods.

14 Dec 2020

Active enzyme needed to unlock full benefits of vitamin A in carrots

Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. But to get the full health benefits of this superfood, you need an active enzyme to produce this vitamin.

11 Dec 2020

Research provides new insights into Glioblastoma invasiveness

One of the hallmarks of Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain cancer, is its high invasive capacity, which leads to its expansion into the normal brain tissue.

11 Dec 2020

UCLA researchers identify gene that could help predict cervical cancer treatment response

UCLA researchers have identified a potential diagnostic marker that could help predict how likely someone with cervical cancer is to respond to the standard treatment of chemotherapy and radiation.

11 Dec 2020

Research shows how epithelial cells ward off viruses

A team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich Researcher Veit Hornung has shown that a protein found in skin cells recognizes a specific nucleic acid intermediate that is formed during virus replication. This recognition process subsequently induces a potent inflammatory response.

11 Dec 2020

IGC researchers receive three out of six European Research Council grants

Since the establishment of the European Research Council in 2008, the IGC has secured 17 of their competitive grants (7 Starting, 8 Consolidator and 2 Advanced).

10 Dec 2020

Hematoxylin compounds can selectively kill CALR mutant cancer cells

Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), a group of malignant diseases of the bone marrow, often have a carcinogenic mutated form of the calreticulin gene (CALR).

10 Dec 2020

Researchers develop new serological assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a novel serological assay for the detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

10 Dec 2020

Tomatoes could become a new, natural source of Parkinson's disease drug

Scientists have produced a tomato enriched in the Parkinson's disease drug L-DOPA in what could become a new, affordable source of one of the world's essential medicines.

9 Dec 2020

Chemists identify a new method to make valuable hydrocarbons

Inspired by light-sensing bacteria that thrive near hot oceanic vents, synthetic chemists at Rice University have found a mild method to make valuable hydrocarbons known as olefins, or alkenes.

8 Dec 2020

Using magnetic bacteria to control liquids at the micro level

ETH scientists use magnetic bacteria to control liquids at the micro level. They are already thinking about using them in the human bloodstream for precision delivery of cancer drugs to a tumor.

8 Dec 2020

Dihydrogen phosphate anions bind together even in dilute solutions, study shows

Scientists at UNSW Sydney, together with collaborators from Western Sydney University and The Netherlands, were surprised to find that dihydrogen phosphate anions - vital inorganic ions for cellular activity - bind with other dihydrogen phosphate anions despite being negatively charged.

8 Dec 2020