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Molecular & Computational biology news
Discovery of molecular 'spring' reveals how hearing is triggered
Hearing begins with the stretching of elastic molecular "springs" that open ion channels in the sensory hair cells of the ear. For decades, researchers have known that these gating springs must exist, but they could not find ...
Molecular & Computational biology
1 hour ago
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Cellular 'trash' reveals new immune defense mechanism against bacteria
Much like humans generate mountains of garbage, our cells are constantly discarding proteins that are damaged or no longer needed. The cellular waste disposal system called the proteasome is best known for its central role ...
Cell & Microbiology
2 hours ago
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Duckweed found to differentially mark old and new transposons without DNA methylation
Transposons, so-called jumping genes, are a threat to genomes, so plants work hard to prevent them from mobilizing and re-inserting into the genome. Spirodela polyrhiza, the most ancient member of the duckweed family, uses ...
Plants & Animals
2 hours ago
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Key genes for corn architecture revealed, identifying future breeding targets
The physical structure of corn plants—including the angle of leaves bending from the stem and the number of pollen-laden tassel branches—makes a big difference for yield. Compact plants can be planted closer together, ...
Molecular & Computational biology
3 hours ago
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Enzyme trick allows bacteria to embed themselves permanently in host cells
Working in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, scientists at the University of Cologne's Institute for Genetics have discovered a strategy in bacteria by which they embed themselves ...
Cell & Microbiology
3 hours ago
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Mitochondria research reveals mechanism that maintains balance between transcription and replication processes
Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) is essential for cellular energy production and overall cell function. Abnormalities in mtDNA are linked to various diseases and are also implicated in aging.
Cell & Microbiology
4 hours ago
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Why aged oocytes struggle to repair DNA damage
Egg cells need stamina: They are formed in a woman's body before birth and have to be on standby for decades to possibly be fertilized one day. But as they age, they accumulate more and more DNA damage. Until now, it has ...
Cell & Microbiology
4 hours ago
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Solanum pan-genome for crucial crops paves the way for better breeding
About 75% of the world's food comes from 12 plants. Scientists estimate up to 30,000 species are edible. Not only does this bottleneck jeopardize our food supply if a major crop is impacted by drought or disease—it also ...
Molecular & Computational biology
6 hours ago
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Genetic discovery puts bigger, tastier tomatoes and eggplants on the horizon
Bigger, tastier tomatoes and eggplants could soon grace our dinner plates thanks to Johns Hopkins scientists who have discovered genes that control how large the fruits will grow.
Molecular & Computational biology
6 hours ago
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Genetic mixing: The secret to killer whale resilience and adaptability
An international team of marine biologists have published research in Molecular Ecology that shows the benefits of gene flow between geographically distant and genetically different killer whale populations. The paper is ...
Ecology
6 hours ago
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Spectroscopy study reveals how agave plants survive extreme droughts
Agave plants may be best known for their role in tequila production, but they are also remarkably adept at retaining water in extremely dry environments. In a new study, researchers used terahertz spectroscopy and imaging ...
Molecular & Computational biology
7 hours ago
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A gentler and more efficient method to purify proteins with light
Proteins play a key role in the life sciences—from basic research and biotechnological applications to the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed ...
Biotechnology
7 hours ago
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Near-complete genome assembly of Chinese spring opens the door for future wheat breeding
In a new study published in Molecular Plant, researchers led by Fu Xiangdong and Lu Fei from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with researchers ...
Molecular & Computational biology
7 hours ago
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A machine learning approach to enhance mosquito repellent effectiveness
In a recent study, researcher Anandasankar Ray at the University of California, Riverside, and his team employed machine learning techniques combined with cheminformatics to predict novel mosquito repellents that could greatly ...
Cell & Microbiology
11 hours ago
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Findings on butanol toxicity may enable cheaper biofuel production
One limitation of producing biofuel is that the alcohol created by fermentation is toxic to the microbes that produce it. Now scientists are closer to overcoming this obstacle.
Biotechnology
Mar 4, 2025
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Mass spectrometry method introduces novel concept for in-cell protein characterization
Proteins in cells are highly flexible and often exist in multiple conformations, each with unique abilities to bind ligands. These conformations are regulated by the organism to control protein function. Currently, most studies ...
Cell & Microbiology
Mar 4, 2025
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In world first, Mycoplasma mobile's motility apparatus clarified
Mycoplasmas, including bacteria that cause pneumonia in humans, are generally nonmotile, but Mycoplasma mobile, as the species name suggests, has been found in the gills of fish and seems to move by gliding along surfaces.
Cell & Microbiology
Mar 4, 2025
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Giant clone of seaweed discovered in the Baltic Sea
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered that what was previously thought to be a unique seaweed species of bladderwrack for the Baltic Sea is in fact a giant clone of common bladderwrack, perhaps the world's ...
Ecology
Mar 4, 2025
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Scientists genetically engineer mice with thick hair like the extinct woolly mammoth
Extinction is still forever, but scientists at the biotech company Colossal Biosciences are trying what they say is the next best thing to restoring ancient beasts—genetically engineering living animals with qualities to ...
Biotechnology
Mar 4, 2025
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Quinoa's stress resistance linked to 10 key genes
In a recent study published in the journal Genes, our team has identified and characterized 10 sodium/hydrogen antiporter (NHX) genes from the quinoa genome that play crucial roles in this remarkable crop's ability to withstand ...
More news
'Ball and chain' mechanism inactivates key mammalian ion channel, study finds
Study uncovers the core principles of low-resistance antibiotics
How a naturally occurring mechanism hampers fertility
Uncovering the protein complex that is critical to male fertility
Widespread plant metabolite shows potential for combating bacterial diseases in crops
New X-ray technology captures proteins in motion
Discovery of common 'weapon' used by disease-causing fungi could help engineer more resilient food crops
Other news
Gorillas with heart disease have altered gut microbiomes, study shows
Astronomer finds gas giant exoplanets formed earlier than previously thought
NASA powers down two Voyager science instruments to extend mission life
Scientists catch water molecules flipping before splitting
Fifty years of songbird maps take flight in new hands
Cold atoms on a chip: Opening the doors to accessible quantum research
Genetic switch could help control leaf growth in poor soils
Deep-learning framework advances tissue analysis in spatial transcriptomics
Water influx kicks immune cells into action, research reveals
Droplet forming power is key for cells to attach properly, research reveals
Moth collected in 1855 is key to describing 11 new species
Quantum leap: Computing's next frontier takes form
