Articles
Genetic tracing supports COVID's animal origins
Researchers have come up with a shortlist of the wildlife species present at the Wuhan wet market that were the most likely intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2 before its jump to humans. [ + ]
Pioneer bacteria analysed in newborns' microbiomes
In the largest known study of UK baby microbiomes to date, researchers have discovered that newborn babies have one of three pioneer bacteria in their gut shortly after birth. [ + ]
Infrared imaging method measures biomolecules in living cells
Researchers used infrared light to capture clear images of biomolecules inside cells — something that was previously not possible due to the tendency of the water in cells to absorb infrared radiation. [ + ]
Gene therapy trial results in significant vision improvements
The vision of people with a rare inherited condition that causes them to lose much of their sight early in childhood was anywhere from 100 to 10,000 times better after they received gene therapy. [ + ]
A catalyst for one-step conversion of methane to methanol
A highly selective catalyst can convert methane (a major component of natural gas) into methanol (an easily transportable liquid fuel) — all in a single reaction. [ + ]
Your grandparents' education affects your biological age
Researchers have found a statistically significant association between grandparents' education level and their grandchildren's epigenetic-based 'real' age. [ + ]
Wearable sensor can detect solid-state skin biomarkers
The wearable, stretchable, hydrogel-based sensor offers a non-invasive method to monitor health by detecting biomarkers such as cholesterol and lactate directly on the skin. [ + ]
Mitochondria fling DNA into our brain cells; may cause harm
Mitochondria in our brain cells frequently fling their DNA into the nucleus, where the DNA becomes integrated into the cells' chromosomes. These insertions may be causing harm. [ + ]
Some Victorian-era books contain toxic dyes
If you come across any brightly coloured, cloth-bound books from the Victorian era, you might want to handle them gently or even steer clear altogether. [ + ]
Are immune cells focused on the wrong part of the flu vaccine?
Scientists say they have discovered why the flu vaccine can perform poorly, having found that a specific type of immune cell indirectly controls the anti-influenza response. [ + ]
Saliva test enables heart failure screening at home
The point-of-care electrochemical biosensor prototype can measure levels of two biomarkers for heart failure in as little as 15 min from just a drop of saliva. [ + ]
Children's heart implant expands when activated by light
Researchers have designed a shunt that expands when activated by light, which could reduce the number of open-chest surgeries required by children with congenital heart defects. [ + ]
LZ experiment advances the search for dark matter
The world's most sensitive dark matter detector has narrowed down the possibilities for one of the leading theoretical dark matter candidates: weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs. [ + ]
Aerosols used to monitor climate change
Researchers have used aerosols to detect altered atmospheric transport patterns associated with climate change, observing that the distance of transboundary air pollution moving east from China has shortened. [ + ]
Improving autoimmune conditions in Down syndrome patients
A first-in-kind clinical trial has tested the safety and efficacy of a JAK inhibitor in decreasing the burden of autoimmune skin conditions in people with Down syndrome. [ + ]