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Examining embryo model ethics beyond box-checking

In science, ethical guidelines ensure that research takes place in a way that respects public trust and is conducted responsibly. Traditional ethics approval procedures work well for projects following established practices, ...

A 'stemness checkpoint' helps control stem cell identity

A study published in Cell Research advances a central idea in stem cell biology by identifying a checkpoint that controls the identity of many different types of stem cells across developmental stages. For nearly two decades, ...

Cell 'snowball' may be answer to large-scale tissue engineering

Cell cultures—single layers of cells grown in a small dish—have enabled researchers to study biological growth, develop or test drugs and even discover what causes some diseases. Cell spheroids, 3D versions of cell cultures ...

Stopping algae blooms with bacteria-busting buoys

Algae blooms make a pond's surface shine in mesmerizing green hues. But if the microorganisms responsible are cyanobacteria, they can also release toxins that harm humans and wildlife alike. A team reporting in ACS ES&T Water ...

Seed banks may complicate gene drives aimed at controlling weeds

Gene drives—a genetic engineering approach that quickly spreads specific genetic changes throughout a population, whether to kill it off or add a new trait—may have potential for controlling weeds. But so far, gene drives ...

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Biotechnology
Watering smarter, not more: A modern-day robotic divining rod
Biotechnology
Software package makes gene regulation easier to study—and tweak
Biotechnology
Nature's photocopiers caught 'doodling'—scientists say it could revolutionize how DNA is written
Cell & Microbiology
SimCells successfully target and kill drug-resistant bacteria
Biotechnology
Introducing a new citizen science nature app that's geared towards the scientific community
Biotechnology
Unlocking designer roots for future cereal crops
Ecology
A new way to eavesdrop on ocean temperature in the Arctic
Biotechnology
Teaching robots to harvest asparagus
Biotechnology
Light switch for life: Controlling molecular droplets with UV
Cell & Microbiology
Soil bacteria break down toxic chemicals in the environment
Plants & Animals
Seals use whisker movement to follow underwater trails—an approach that could improve robotic sensing
Biotechnology
Who do you think you are? What DNA tests reveal—and what they don't
Cell & Microbiology
Implantable 'living pharmacy' produces multiple drugs inside the body
Biotechnology
Designing proteins by their motion, not just their shape
Biotechnology
Understanding protein motion could greatly aid new drug design
Biotechnology
Why use living cells? Researchers are making chemicals with enzymes alone
Cell & Microbiology
New synthetic origin of replication lets multiple plasmids coexist in one bacterial cell
Biotechnology
DNA shape explains crucial gene-therapy challenges
Biotechnology
AI tool can screen unknown bacteria for disease-linked genes, moving closer to preventing pandemics
Biotechnology
Researchers use quantum biosensors to peer into cells' inner workings

Other news

Analytical Chemistry
Plant-inspired water membrane filters CO₂ with constant selectivity and adjustable permeance
Molecular & Computational biology
A smarter way to build vaccines: Scientists harness AI to target emerging alphaviruses
Evolution
Mammal ancestors laid eggs—and this 250-million-year-old fossil proves it
Plants & Animals
Chimpanzee empire falls apart in rare instance of division and deadly violence
Ecology
Wildlife trade increases pathogen transmission: What 40 years of data say about spillover
Cell & Microbiology
Keeping up with the phages: How V. cholerae neighbors swap defenses against viruses
Plants & Animals
Oxygen sensing helps explain why amphibians regenerate limbs but mammals cannot
Archaeology
No more giants, no more heavy handaxes: Why early humans downsized their stone tools
Earth Sciences
Deadly heat thresholds have already being crossed in six recent heat waves, study shows
Mathematics
Mathematical signature spots when competition is fair, winner-take-all, or too soft
Biochemistry
How surface chemistry impacts the performance of malaria nets
Plants & Animals
Ant larvae control parental care by using odor signals
Astronomy
What if dark matter came in two states?
Evolution
Great apes mirror facial expressions with surprising precision, study shows
Soft Matter
New AI method flags fluid flow tipping points before simulations break down
Earth Sciences
Rock bonding changes understanding of earthquake mechanics
Environment
High levels of forever chemicals found in Svalbard reindeer
Evolution
From Asgard to Earth: Tiny tubes may reveal the moment complex life began
Molecular & Computational biology
One DNA letter can trigger complete sex reversal
Space Exploration
Houston, we have a problem ... with the toilet

Amplifying the beet: New tech makes for crunchier snacks

A new method of using microwave vacuum drying can create crispy beet snacks—a potential alternative to traditional drying or frying that could preserve nutrients while yielding shelf-stable products.

ROSE-3D advances isotropic 3D super-resolution microscopy

In a study published in Nature Methods on December 2, a research team led by Profs. Xu Tao and Ji Wei from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a three-dimensional interferometric localization ...

Researchers develop new tool in forensic intelligence gathering

Researchers have developed a new method for human identification, which could be a powerful new tool for forensic investigations. Edith Cowan University (ECU) Ph.D. students Rebecca Tidy and Romy Keane, who are also chemists ...

New method detects contaminated bathing water in just 20 minutes

Urbanization and a warmer climate means that more people want to swim in canals, harbors, and urban beaches. However, this means that they may be swimming close to where treated wastewater and stormwater are discharged—including ...