Science News

• Better medical record-keeping needed to fight antibiotic overuse May 17, 2024
  A lack of detailed record-keeping in clinics and emergency departments may be getting in the way of reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics, a pair of new studies suggests. In one of the studies, about 10% of children and 35% of adults who got an antibiotic prescription during an office visit had no specific reason […]
• Modern plant enzyme partners with surprisingly ancient protein May 17, 2024
  Scientists have discovered that a protein responsible for the synthesis of a key plant material evolved much earlier than suspected. This new research explored the origin and evolution of the biochemical machinery that builds lignin, a structural component of plant cell walls with significant impacts on the clean energy industry.
• Sweet taste receptor affects how glucose is handled metabolically by humans May 17, 2024
  The sweet-taste receptor might be the first stop in a metabolic surveillance system for sugar. The receptor is also expressed in certain intestinal cells, where it may facilitate glucose absorption and assimilation, as part of this system. A team found that stimulation and inhibition of the sweet receptor helps regulate glucose metabolism in humans and […]
• How heatwaves are affecting Arctic phytoplankton May 17, 2024
  The basis of the marine food web in the Arctic, the phytoplankton, responds to heatwaves much differently than to constantly elevated temperatures. This has been found by the first targeted experiments on the topic. The phytoplankton's behavior primarily depends on the cooling phases after or between heatwaves.
• Differing values of nature can still lead to joined up goals for sustainability May 17, 2024
  Recognizing and respecting the different ways nature is valued can enable better environmental decision-making, according to new research.
• Can we revolutionize the chemical industry and create a circular economy? Yes, with the help of catalysts May 17, 2024
  A new commentary paper puts forth a transformative solution to the unsustainable reliance on fossil resources by the chemical industry: catalysis to leverage sustainable waste resources, ushering the industry from a linear to a circular economy.
• Zombie cells in the sea: Viruses keep the most common marine bacteria in check May 17, 2024
  Marine microbes control the flux of matter and energy essential for life in the oceans. Among them, the bacterial group SAR11 accounts for about a third of all the bacteria found in surface ocean waters. A study now reveals that at times nearly 20% of SAR11 cells are infected by viruses, significantly reducing total cell […]
• Plants restrict use of 'Tipp-Ex proteins' May 17, 2024
  Plants have special corrective molecules at their disposal that can make retrospective modifications to copies of genes. However, it would appear that these 'Tipp-Ex proteins' do not have permission to work in all areas of the cell, only being used in chloroplasts and mitochondria. A study has now explained why this is the case. It […]
• Fruit fly wing research offers window into birth defects May 17, 2024
  If fruit fly wings do not develop into the right shape, the flies will die. Researchers have learned how fly embryo cells develop as they need to, opening a window into human development and possible treatments for birth defects.
• Ancient arachnid from coal forests of America stands out for its spiny legs May 17, 2024
  The spiny legged 308-million-year-old arachnid Douglassarachne acanthopoda was discovered the famous Mazon Creek locality.