Credit: Pixabay Bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics more quickly than new drugs can be created, so scientists are exploring the human gut—a highly competitive environment with about 100 trillion microbes—to find potential components for combating diseases. Researchers in the US examined the gut microbiomes of 1,773 individuals, analyzing 444,054 proteins that had been previously identified...
A spider-shaped biohybrid robot is driven by natural impulses from a fungusCornell University Autonomous vehicles are often considered safer than human drivers, but would you feel comfortable with a mushroom in control? A new type of "biohybrid" robot is designed to move based on signals from a fungus's nervous system. A few decades of human engineering...
Credit: Pixabay The environment in which a person lives, including their home, family, and community, influences their health. Researchers examining these social determinants of health are exploring whether genetics or upbringing has a greater impact on an individual's ability to combat disease. I am a developmental physiologist researching how alcohol consumption impacts fetal development and long-term health. While...
A new system can store and process data on DNA like a computer. Credit: Pixabay A fully functional DNA computer is now closer to reality, thanks to a new technology capable of storing petabytes of data in DNA for thousands to millions of years. This system can also process information, as shown by its ability...
A new technique can remove nanoplastics from water – and under pretty lights, it sure looks coolSam O’Keefe via University of Missouri Microplastics have been discovered in the Arctic sea and even trapped in the ice. The Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, is contaminated with plastic debris, and Mount Everest has also...
Even though people knew they were taking placebo pills, they still had a significant effect on mental health. Credit: Pixabay A new study indicates that taking placebo pills, even when people know they have no active ingredients, can still greatly decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. These "non-deceptive placebos" could be an effective method for enhancing...
Credit: Depositphotos Despite decades of research, pinpointing the exact cause of brain damage in Alzheimer's disease has proven challenging. A team from Emory University in the US may have found a crucial piece of the puzzle. Reevaluating Amyloid Beta's Role in Alzheimer's Much research has investigated amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer's, but some now view them as...
A new study shows that different people transfer different amounts of genetic material to items that they touchDepositphotos If you’ve ever watched CSI, you know that suspects often leave incriminating DNA traces at crime scenes. However, a recent study suggests that the amount of this genetic material could also indicate a person’s guilt or innocence....
Credit: Depositphotos The familiar "sugar high" after enjoying a sweet treat is a well-known example of how food can positively impact mood. Conversely, the experience of feeling "hangry"—where hunger leads to anger or irritability—demonstrates how our diet, or lack thereof, can also trigger negative emotions. Recent research indicates that fluctuations in blood sugar levels play a role...
A color E Ink display that's updated over Wi-Fi and powered wirelessly tooDigital View E Ink screens are known for being easy on the eyes and providing excellent battery life due to their minimal power consumption. However, a new display developed by Digital View operates completely without a battery, drawing power instead from an overhead...
