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Nature Inspires a New Wave of Biotechnology
The Science Newswise — Biological molecules called peptides play a key role in many biological activities, including the transport of oxygen and electrons. Peptides consist of short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. They are also the inspiration for new kinds of biotechnology. Researchers are developing a synthetic form of a peptide…
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Restoring a North Carolina Wetland
Wetlands Protect the Coast and Clean Water My parents always told me that it takes time to do a project the right way. And the bigger the project, the more time it takes. So, it’s probably no surprise that it took the North Carolina Coastal Federation almost 20 years to create the North River Wetlands…
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Spider silk research leads to new microphone patent
The human ability to notice the world around us is made possible by our sense organs — eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue — which are so efficient that most people don’t consciously think about them. Others, like Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Ron Miles, have always had a “sense” for them. “I have been…
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Sihoo Doro-C300 and the Science Behind Ergonomic Chairs
Due to the change in the way we work and with the introduction of technology, we now spend a significant portion of our lives at our desks for work or leisure, the extended hours in front of a computer can take a toll on our bodies. The discomfort and fatigue that accompany this sedentary lifestyle…
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Chinstrap Penguins Sleep Over 10,000 Times a Day—for Just Four Seconds at a Time
Chinstrap penguins incubate eggs. Wolfgang Kaehler / LightRocket via Getty Images The meeting drones on, and you feel your eyes getting heavy, your mind drowsy. Suddenly you snap into a very attentive wakefulness—did anyone see me doze off? You’ve fallen into a microsleep, a very brief slip out of consciousness that ends almost as soon…
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World’s weirdest: Meet the purple frog flaunting nature’s most bizarre backside
You could say that the purple frog resembles a turtle without its shell. That’s what the good people of Idukki in Kerala say. Or you could say that this amazing amphibian looks like a bruised, bloated beanbag with beady eyes and a bootylicious backside. That’s what I say. Evolution rightly has no respect for conventional…
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SciFri Reads ‘The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2023’
On December 11, we’ll meet to reflect on their favorite stories from last year and the future of scientific discovery and journalism. The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2023: Livestream and Q&A When: Monday, December 11 at 5:00pm ET / 2:00pm PT Where: Science Friday’s YouTube livestream Tickets: Free! RSVP for updates RSVP for Dec 11…
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Modular chimeric cytokine receptors improve CAR T–cell therapy for solid tumors
The St. Jude group replaced the extracellular domain of different cytokine receptors with leucine zippers to create constitutively active receptors. CAR T cells expressing any of these chimeric cytokine receptors had superior antitumor activity against multiple types of cancer in both cell lines and mouse models compared to conventional CAR T cells. While the chimeric…
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NHM defends collections move after scientists raise concerns
The Natural History Museum (NHM) has defended its decision to move some of its collections to a new research facility at Reading University after criticism from scientists and academics. The museum is creating a research centre at the university’s Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield, Berkshire, where it will rehouse around 28 million specimens and…
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The National Education Nature Park: how to get involved
Launched in October with the Natural History Museum and the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Education Nature Park offers children and young people the opportunity to take hands-on action to improve biodiversity and tackle climate change. Schools, colleges and nurseries that sign up will have access to a range of resources including digital tools, classroom…
