ScienceDaily: Top Environment News |
- Engineered proteins stick like glue -- even in water
- Battling superbugs: Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria
- Program predicts placement of chemical tags that control gene activity
- Uncovering the forbidden side of molecules: Infrared spectrum of charged molecule seen for first time
- Global warming: Dwindling chances to stay below 2°C warming
- Fracking's environmental impacts scrutinized
- On/off switch for aging cells discovered by scientists
- Ultrasound enhancement provides clarity to damaged tendons, ligaments
- Monitoring heavy metals using mussels
| Engineered proteins stick like glue -- even in water Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT Researchers have found new adhesives based on mussel proteins could be useful for naval or medical applications. To create their new waterproof adhesives, researchers engineered bacteria to produce a hybrid material that incorporates naturally sticky mussel proteins as well as a bacterial protein found in biofilms -- slimy layers formed by bacteria growing on a surface. When combined, these proteins form even stronger underwater adhesives than those secreted by mussels. |
| Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:51 AM PDT Two new technologies could enable novel strategies for combating drug-resistant bacteria, scientists report. Most antibiotics work by interfering with crucial functions such as cell division or protein synthesis. However, some bacteria have evolved to become virtually untreatable with existing drugs. In the new study, researchers target specific genes that allow bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment. The CRISPR genome-editing system presented the perfect strategy to go after those genes, they report. |
| Program predicts placement of chemical tags that control gene activity Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT Biochemists have developed a program that predicts the placement of chemical marks that control the activity of genes based on sequences of DNA. By comparing sequences with and without epigenomic modification, they identified DNA motifs associated with the changes. They call this novel analysis pipeline Epigram and have made both the program and the DNA motifs they identified openly available to other scientists. |
| Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT Researchers have succeeded in observing the "forbidden" infrared spectrum of a charged molecule for the first time. These extremely weak spectra offer perspectives for extremely precise measurements of molecular properties and may also contribute to the development of molecular clocks and quantum technology. |
| Global warming: Dwindling chances to stay below 2°C warming Posted: 21 Sep 2014 11:50 AM PDT Carbon dioxide emissions continue to track the high end of emission scenarios, eroding the chances to keep global warming below 2°C, and placing increased pressure on world leaders ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit on the 23rd September. |
| Fracking's environmental impacts scrutinized Posted: 21 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and use of shale gas would be comparable to conventional natural gas, but the controversial energy source actually fared better than renewables on some environmental impacts, according to new research. |
| On/off switch for aging cells discovered by scientists Posted: 20 Sep 2014 04:34 AM PDT An on-and-off "switch" has been discovered in cells that may hold the key to healthy aging. This switch points to a way to encourage healthy cells to keep dividing and generating, for example, new lung or liver tissue, even in old age. In our bodies, newly divided cells constantly. However, most human cells cannot divide indefinitely -– with each division, a cellular timekeeper at the ends of chromosomes shortens. When this timekeeper becomes too short, cells can no longer divide, causing organs and tissues to degenerate, as often happens in old age. But there is a way around this countdown, researchers have found. |
| Ultrasound enhancement provides clarity to damaged tendons, ligaments Posted: 19 Sep 2014 01:54 PM PDT Ultrasound is a safe, affordable and noninvasive way to see internal structures, including the developing fetus. Ultrasound can also "see" other soft tissue — including tendons, which attach muscles to bone, and ligaments, which attach bone to bone. Now one expert is commercializing an ultrasound method to analyze the condition of soft tissue. |
| Monitoring heavy metals using mussels Posted: 19 Sep 2014 08:08 AM PDT Caged mussels are useful for monitoring heavy metal contamination in coastal waters in the Strait of Johore, researchers have confirmed. Initial results of a study indicate that there is increasing pollution in the eastern part of the Johore Strait. |
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