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Assembly instructions for enzymes

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523181339.htm

Published: May 23, 2025 18:13

In biology, enzymes have evolved over millions of years to drive chemical reactions. Scientists have now derived universal rules to enable the de novo design of optimal enzymes. As an example, they considered the enzymatic reaction of breaking a dimer into…

Mystery of 'very odd' elasmosaur finally solved: fiercely predatory marine reptile is new species

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120617.htm

Published: May 23, 2025 12:06

A group of fossils of elasmosaurs -- some of the most famous in North America -- have just been formally identified as belonging to a 'very odd' new genus of the sea monster, unlike any previously known. This primitive 85-million-year-old, 12 meter-long,…

Different phases of evolution during ice age

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120447.htm

Published: May 23, 2025 12:04

Cold-adapted animals started to evolve 2.6 million years ago when the permanent ice at the poles became more prevalent. There followed a time when the continental ice sheets expanded and contracted and around 700,000 years ago the cold periods doubled in…

The scent of death? Worms experience altered fertility and lifespan when exposed to dead counterparts

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162703.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 16:27

Research reveals that for C. elegans worms, the presence of dead members of their species has profound behavioral and physiological effects, leading them to more quickly reproduce and shortening their lifespans.

New study reveals how competition between algae is transforming the Gulf of Maine

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162700.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 16:27

New research shows how rapidly proliferating turf algae are waging 'chemical warfare' to inhibit the recovery of kelp forests along Maine's warming coast.

Ancient DNA used to map evolution of fever-causing bacteria

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162551.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 16:25

Researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from Borrelia recurrentis, a type of bacteria that causes relapsing fever, pinpointing when it evolved to spread through lice rather than ticks, and how it gained and lost genes in the process.

Scientists have figured out how extinct giant ground sloths got so big and where it all went wrong

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162538.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 16:25

Scientists have analyzed ancient DNA and compared more than 400 fossils from 17 natural history museums to figure out how and why extinct sloths got so big.

A new approach could fractionate crude oil using much less energy

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162533.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 16:25

Engineers developed a membrane that filters the components of crude oil by their molecular size, an advance that could dramatically reduce the amount of energy needed for crude oil fractionation.

Tapping into the World's largest gold reserves

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522133522.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 13:35

Earth's largest gold reserves are not kept inside Fort Knox, the United States Bullion Depository. In fact, they are hidden much deeper in the ground than one would expect. More than 99.999% of Earth's stores of gold and other precious metals lie buried…

'Selfish' genes called introners proven to be a major source of genetic complexity

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522133518.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 13:35

A new study proves that a type of genetic element called 'introners' are the mechanism by which many introns spread within and between species, also providing evidence of eight instances in which introners have transferred between unrelated species in a…

Climate change poses severe threat to bowhead whale habitat

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125530.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 12:55

New research examining 11,700 years of bowhead whale persistence throughout the Arctic projects that sea ice loss due to climate change will cause their habitat to severely contract by up to 75 per cent.

A potential 'anti-spice' that could dial down the heat of fiery food

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124848.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 12:48

If you've ever regretted ordering a spicy meal, take note: A new study identifying molecules that suppress the heat of chili peppers hints at the possibility of adapting these compounds into an 'anti-spice' condiment for food that's too fiery to eat. The…

Looking to cut calories? Try adding chilies, study suggests

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124747.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 12:47

Throwing a little heat on your meal might be an effective strategy for cutting back on calories, according to a new study.

AI is good at weather forecasting. Can it predict freak weather events?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124738.htm

Published: May 22, 2025 12:47

Scientists found that neural networks cannot yet forecast 'gray swan' weather events, which might not appear in existing training data but could still happen -- like 200-year floods or massive hurricanes.

Shrinking Nemo: Clownfish survive heatwaves by shrinking

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161226.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 16:12

Clownfish have been shown to shrink in order to survive heat stress and avoid social conflict, research reveals.

Personal space chemistry suppressed by perfume and body lotion indoors

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161115.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 16:11

In 2022 a team discovered that high levels of OH radicals can be generated indoors, simply due to the presence of people and ozone. This means: People generate their own oxidation field and change the indoor air chemistry around them within their own…

Unlocking the secrets of bat immunity

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124752.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 12:47

Bats are known as natural hosts for highly pathogenic viruses such as MERS- and SARS-related coronaviruses, as well as the Marburg and Nipah viruses. In contrast to the severe and often fatal disease outcomes these viruses cause in humans, bats generally…

Engineered bacteria can deliver antiviral therapies, vaccines

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124626.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 12:46

New research demonstrates how specially engineered bacteria taken orally can operate as a delivery system for vaccines and antiviral therapies.

How to use AI to listen to the 'heartbeat' of a city

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124621.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 12:46

Researchers took a fresh approach to urban research by using artificial intelligence to explore the emotional side of city life. Their goal was to better understand the link between a city's physical features and how people feel in those environments.

Fool's gold: A hidden climate stabilizer

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124433.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 12:44

Researchers look to extremes in the past to study how the system reacts to imbalances. They detail an overlooked mechanism for how the ocean can help stabilize massive releases of carbon into the atmosphere following volcanic eruptions.

A new technology for extending the shelf life of produce

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124247.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 12:42

Researchers developed a way to extend the shelf life of vegetables by injecting them with melatonin using biodegradable microneedles.

Extreme weather cycles change underwater light at Lake Tahoe

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124100.htm

Published: May 21, 2025 12:41

Large shifts in UV radiation at Lake Tahoe are associated with wet and dry climate extremes, finds a new study.

On the origin (and fate) of plants that never bloom

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520224241.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 22:42

Plants that reproduce exclusively by self-pollination arise from populations with extremely low diversity to begin with. The research not only adds a facet to possible evolutionary strategies, but also lends weight to Darwin's suspicion that this strategy…

Landmark report reveals key challenges facing adolescents

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520183839.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 18:38

Poor mental health, rising obesity rates, exposure to violence and climate change are among the key challenges facing our adolescents today, according to a global report.

How to solve a bottleneck for CO2 capture and conversion

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520162115.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 16:21

New research could improve the efficiency of electrochemical carbon-dioxide capture and release by six times and cut costs by at least 20 percent. Researchers added nanoscale filtering membranes to a carbon-capture system, separating the ions that carry…

Common diabetes drug helps chickens lay more eggs

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520161902.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 16:19

What do chickens and people with a common reproductive disorder have in common? More than one might think -- and a widely-used diabetes medication might just be the surprising link.

Molecules in blood and urine could reveal how much ultra-processed food you eat

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520161850.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 16:18

Sets of metabolites found in blood and urine reliably correspond with how much energy from ultra-processed food a person consumes, according to a new study.

How membranes may have brought about the chemistry of life on Earth

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520161843.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 16:18

A team of researchers studied the properties of membranes to understand how these cellular structures influenced the chemistry of life on Earth as it began.

Scientific breakthrough brings CO2 'breathing' batteries closer to reality

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122027.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:20

Scientists have made a breakthrough in eco-friendly batteries that not only store more energy but could also help tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Lithium-CO2 'breathing' batteries release power while capturing carbon dioxide, offering a greener…

Forest management can influence health benefits

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122024.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:20

Forests play a crucial role in promoting health and wellbeing, but not all forests provide the same benefits. A large-scale study demonstrates how specific forest characteristics -- such as canopy density and tree species diversity -- can affect various…

Household action can play major role in climate change fight

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121658.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:16

Encouraging people in North America and Sub-Saharan Africa to adopt a low-carbon lifestyle could help to cut global household emissions of planet-warming carbon dioxide by up to two-fifths, a new study reveals.

Advanced genomics study improves detection of hard-to-find diarrheal infections

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121546.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:15

A study has used advanced genetic and genomic techniques to offer a major step forward in understanding and diagnosing infectious intestinal diseases. The large-scale study analyzed more than 1,000 stool samples from people with diarrheal illness to…

Wild spinach offers path to breed disease resistance into cultivated varieties

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121305.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:13

Several varieties of wild spinach that originated in Central Asia show resistance to a destructive soil-borne pathogen that beleaguers growers of spinach seed in the Pacific Northwest -- a finding that can be used to breed hardier crops.

'Sharkitecture:' A nanoscale look inside a blacktip shark's skeleton

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121302.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:13

Using synchrotron X-ray nanotomography with detailed 3D imaging and in-situ mechanical testing, researchers are peering inside shark skeletons at the nanoscale, revealing a microscopic 'sharkitecture' that helps these ancient apex predators withstand…

Cool science: Researchers craft tiny biological tools using frozen ethanol

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121257.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:12

Imagine drawing on something as delicate as a living cell -- without damaging it. Researchers have made this groundbreaking discovery using an unexpected combination of tools: frozen ethanol, electron beams and purple-tinted microbes. By advancing a method…

Agrivoltaics enjoys comparatively high acceptance

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121254.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:12

Photovoltaic systems are increasingly being installed not only on roofs but also on open land. This does not always meet with citizens' approval. What is known as agrivoltaics (Agri-PV), however, is viewed more favorably, as researchers have now been able…

Why some viral infections appear to trigger autoimmune disease

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121152.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:11

By studying Chikungunya virus, scientists shed light on how immune responses to viral infections may lead to persistent symptoms of autoimmune disease.

Native turtles return to Yosemite after removal of invasive bullfrogs

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121146.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:11

After invasive American bullfrogs 'croak,' native turtles return to Yosemite, finds a new study.

Thousands of animal species threatened by climate change

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121142.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 12:11

A novel analysis suggests more than 3,500 animal species are threatened by climate change and also sheds light on huge gaps in fully understanding the risk to the animal kingdom.

Surprise baby whale sightings reveal there's still much to learn about humpbacks

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520012829.htm

Published: May 20, 2025 01:28

Humpback whales are not always born in tropical waters, new research has shown -- challenging long-held assumptions about their breeding and migration behaviors, while raising new questions for marine conservation.

Genomic data shows widespread mpox transmission in West Africa prior to 2022 global outbreak

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204450.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 20:44

Historically, most human mpox infections have resulted from zoonotic transmission --m eaning from animals to humans -- and these spillovers have rarely led to human-to-human transmission. But during the 2022 global outbreak, mpox began spreading readily…

Fast food, fast impact: How fatty meals rapidly weaken our gut defenses

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131815.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:18

A study has become the first in the world to unravel the immediate effects of a high-fat diet on our gut health.

Scientists describe 71 new Australian bee species

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131813.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:18

A team of researchers has discovered 71 new native bee species belonging to the resin pot bees, or Megachile (Austrochile), which are unique to Australia and present in every state and territory except Tasmania.

'Cutting to survive': How cells remove DNA bridges at the last moment

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131805.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:18

Scientists have elucidated the molecular mechanism by which LEM-3 cuts DNA bridges during cytokinesis.

Survival trick: Pathogen taps iron source in immune cells

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131800.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:18

The body defends itself against pathogens by depriving them of vital iron. However, this strategy doesn't always succeed against Salmonella. Researchers have discovered that these bacteria specifically target iron-rich regions within immune cells to…

Glaciers will take centuries to recover even if global warming is reversed, scientists warn

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131551.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:15

New research reveals mountain glaciers across the globe will not recover for centuries -- even if human intervention cools the planet back to the 1.5 C limit, having exceeded it.

Nimble dimples: Agile underwater vehicles inspired by golf balls

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131445.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:14

Underwater or aerial vehicles with dimples like golf balls could be more efficient and maneuverable, a new prototype has demonstrated.

How to swim without a brain

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131305.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:13

A team was able to show that swimming movements are possible even without a central control unit. This not only explains the behavior of microorganisms, it could also enable nanobots to move in a targeted manner, for example to transport drugs to the right…

Could nanoplastics in the environment turn E. coli into a bigger villain?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131255.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:12

Nanoplastics are everywhere. These fragments are so tiny they can accumulate on bacteria and be taken up by plant roots; they're in our food, our water, and our bodies. Scientists don't know the full extent of their impacts on our health, but new research…

Capuchin monkeys develop bizarre 'fad' of abducting baby howlers

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131131.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:11

Animal abduction: Biologists documented five male capuchin monkeys carrying at least eleven different infant howler monkeys -- a behavior never before seen in wild primates. Rise and spread: The sightings were remotely recorded by over 85 camera traps,…

Mice use chemical cues such as odors to sense social hierarchy

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131128.htm

Published: May 19, 2025 13:11

Researchers have shown that mice use chemical cues, including odors, to detect the social rank of an unfamiliar mouse and compare it to their own, using this information to determine their behavior.