Latest

Image of carpet squares drying in the sun.

In Search of Microbes That Weave Colors into Moroccan Carpets

Laura Tran, PhD | Oct 7, 2024 | 5 min read

A scientist’s quest for microbes that produce purple pigments led her to the vibrant world of natural dyes, where biology and traditional artistry intertwine.

The drawing depicts two fruit flies near a plant from the genus Aristolochia. One fly perches on the plant's orange flower, while the other moves away from it.

Flies’ Taste for Tumor-Fighting Compounds May Aid Drug Discovery

Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Oct 4, 2024 | 3 min read

Fruit flies with gut tumors showed an increased preference for a bitter antitumor compound compared to healthy flies, suggesting a self-medication strategy.

A researcher removes a tube rack from an ultra-low temperature freezer with frost build-up.

Holistic Freezer Sustainability Goes Beyond Energy Certification

The Scientist and Stirling Ultracold | 3 min read

Product efficiency requirements help combat the environmental cost of ultra-low temperature freezers, but there is more to sustainability than standardized energy ratings.

Close up view of a border collie’s nose on a white background.

Dogs Engage in Scent-sational Science to Sniff out Staphylococcus Bacteria

Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Oct 3, 2024 | 5 min read

Researchers take the guesswork out of infection detection by training dogs to recognize the scent of bacterial biofilm biomarkers.

An illustration of a purple and blueribosome using mRNA as a template to synthesize a red protein chain.

A Small RNA with a Big Impact on Cell Aging

Kamal Nahas, PhD | Oct 1, 2024 | 4 min read

Proteins that trigger cell senescence occupy much of the literature on aging, but a small RNA moves into the limelight.

All About Alternative Splicing

Amielle Moreno, PhD | 7 min read

Enhancing protein diversity and guiding cellular functions, alternative splicing is a key dimension of genetic regulation.

A man in a blue shirt holds a pinkish paper cut out of a pair of lungs.

Genetic Engineering Hides Donor Organs from Host Immune System

Hannah Thomasy, PhD | Sep 30, 2024 | 5 min read

Antigen knockdown prevented organ rejection in minipigs, even in the absence of immunosuppression.

Blue immune cells with yellow spheres of protein surrounding them and landing on them.

Innate Immune Cells Develop Memory with a T Cell Marker

Shelby Bradford, PhD | Sep 30, 2024 | 4 min read

Human innate immune cells that “remember” previous stimulation could provide new insights into chronic inflammatory diseases.

An image of a brain, with scientific elements on the left side and color splashing out on the right side.

How Visual Cues Can Help Tell the Story

Nathan Ni, PhD | 4 min read

Effective scientific figures incorporate artistic principles, using color, layout, and other visual elements to help clarify the message.

Top view of a red paper cutout of female reproductive internal organs with blood drops on pink background.

Reproductive Lifespan is Partially Encoded in the Genes

Aparna Nathan, PhD | Sep 27, 2024 | 4 min read

A new study shows that a constellation of genetic changes link the timing of puberty to weight gain and other biological processes.

The image shows a ball python curled up on top of a tree trunk in the wild.

How Pythons Adapt Their Hearts After a Big Meal

Claudia Lopez-Lloreda, PhD | Sep 26, 2024 | 4 min read

Python heart muscles ramp up their force to sustain metabolic activity to maintain increased metabolism during feeding.

Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Infectious Disease

The Scientist | 1 min read

Josephine Thinwa shares her journey to becoming a physician scientist and how this led her to investigate the role of a neurologically important kinase in virus-induced autophagy.

A man in a green shirt gives a woman a piggyback ride outdoors, both are smiling.

A Deep Dive into Dopamine: Detox, Depression, and Beyond

Hannah Thomasy, PhD | Sep 25, 2024 | 4 min read

Dopamine is a nuanced molecule that not only plays important roles in bad habits but also in behaviors that are necessary for survival and well-being.