In the fight against malaria-carrying mosquitoes, just add soap
Could the solution to the decades-long battle against malaria be as simple as soap? In a new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, scientists at The University of Texas…
New research suggests plants might be able to absorb more CO2 from human activities than previously expected
New research published today in leading international journal Science Advances paints an uncharacteristically upbeat picture for the planet. This is because more realistic ecological modelling suggests the world’s plants may…
Putting an end to plastic separation anxiety
Bio-based plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) were invented to help solve the plastic waste crisis, but they often end up making waste management more challenging. Because these materials look…
New study reveals the genetics of human head shape
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and KU Leuven have discovered a suite of genes that influence head shape in humans. These findings, published this week in Nature Communications, help…
Environment and wallet benefit from redispensing cancer pills
Redispensing cancer drugs reduces both environmental impact and medical costs, according to research from Radboudumc pharmacy published in JAMA Oncology. The annual savings could amount to tens of millions. Cancer…
A small molecule blocks aversive memory formation, providing a potential treatment target for depression
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world, but current anti-depressants have yet to meet the needs of many patients. Neuroscientists from City University of Hong…
Hunger hormones impact decision-making brain area to drive behavior
A hunger hormone produced in the gut can directly impact a decision-making part of the brain in order to drive an animal’s behaviour, finds a new study by UCL (University…
How bacteria recognize viral invasion and activate immune defenses
There’s no organism on earth that lives free of threat — including bacteria. Predatory viruses known as phages are among their most dire foes, infiltrating their cells to replicate and…
Scientists piece together DNA repair pathway implicated in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers
Our DNA is not indestructible. Throughout the course of our lives, DNA can break in response to natural and environmental factors. Thankfully, our bodies have dedicated enzymes and pathways which…
Surveilling wetlands for infectious bird flu — and finding it
Recently, morning omelets and holiday dinners have gotten more expensive. One likely cause is bird flu, outbreaks of which led to the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys from…