Science and Technology

Aptamers: lifesavers; ion shields: aptamer guardians

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
Aptamers, nucleic acids capable of selectively binding to viruses, proteins, ions, small molecules, and various other targets, are garnering attention in drug development as potential antibody substitutes for their thermal and chemical stability as well as ability to inhibit specific enzymes or target proteins through three-dimensional binding. They also hold promise for swift diagnoses of colon cancer and other challenging diseases by targeting elusive biomarkers. Despite their utility, these aptamers are susceptible to easy degradation by multiple enzymes, presenting a significant challenge.

Ants recognize infected wounds and treat them with antibiotics

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
The African Matabele ants are often injured in fights with termites. Their conspecifics recognize when the wounds become infected and initiate antibiotic treatment.

Reducing inequality is essential in tackling climate crisis, researchers argue

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
Promoting climate-friendly behaviors will be more successful in societies where everyone has the capacity: financially, physically, and time-wise, to make changes.

A novel switch to turn genes on/off on cue, a promising step toward safer gene therapy

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
Just like a doctor adjusts the dose of a medication to the patient's needs, the expression of therapeutic genes, those modified in a person to treat or cure a disease via gene therapy, also needs to be maintained within a therapeutic window. Staying within the therapeutic window is important as too much of the protein could be toxic, and too little could result in a small or no therapeutic effect. Researchers now report on a technology to effectively regulate gene expression, a promising solution to fill this gap in gene therapy clinical applications.

First step towards synthetic CO2 fixation in living cells

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
Three modules forming a new-to-nature CO2 fixation cycle have been successfully implemented in E.coli.

'Nutritional quality must be at the heart of climate smart agriculture' -- researchers

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa need to diversify away from growing maize and switch to crops that are resilient to climate change and supply enough key micronutrients for the population, according to a major research study. Maize is a staple crop across the region -- where it is grown and consumed in vast quantities.

Healthy omega-3 fats may slow deadly pulmonary fibrosis

Science Daily - 03/01/2024
Higher levels of omega-3, the healthy fat found in fish and nuts, were associated with better lung function and longer transplant-free survival.

Russia extends cross-flight programme with NASA until 2025 - Roscosmos

The Hindu:Science - 02/01/2024
The cross-flights were extended "in order to maintain the reliability of the ISS operation" and will be carried out on Russian and U.S. spacecraft

The ‘volcano tourists’ that vied to catch Iceland eruptions 

The Hindu:Science - 02/01/2024
The country is a prime destination for volcano tourism, a niche segment that attracts thousands of thrill-seekers every year

Why are some black holes bigger than others?

The Hindu:Science - 02/01/2024
When something is orbiting an invisible object at high speeds, scientists know there must be a massive black hole in the middle.

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