Biochemistry

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Chemists identify effective inhibitors to block the uptake of SARS-CoV-2

The cell membrane is impermeable to viruses: to get inside and infect a cell, they use a range of strategies to exploit the cellular and biochemical properties of the membranes.

23 Nov 2020

A non-physical method for generating random building blocks

True random numbers are required in fields as diverse as slot machines and data encryption. These numbers need to be truly random, such that they cannot even be predicted by people with detailed knowledge of the method used to generate them.

23 Nov 2020

Seaweed-shaped mats can remove toxic metal ions from drinking water

A group of scientists from Osaka University has created seaweed-shaped mats made of nanofibers for use in water filters. These mats can help eliminate toxic metal ions.

From Osaka University 20 Nov 2020

New coating material for semiconductors may create opportunities to produce green fuels

Hydrogen gas and methanol for fuel cells or as raw materials for the chemicals industry, for example, could be produced more sustainably using sunlight, a new Uppsala University study shows.

20 Nov 2020

Scientists elucidate the structure of ABC transporter protein

A high concentration of salt or sugar in the environment will dehydrate microorganisms and stop them from growing.

19 Nov 2020

Tau protein in Alzheimer's disease looks different at every dementia stage

Research into Alzheimer's disease has long focused on understanding the role of two key proteins, beta amyloid and the tau protein. Found in tangles in patients' brain tissue, a pathological form of the tau protein contributes to propagating the disease in the brain.

19 Nov 2020

New project receives $1.12 million to clean agricultural drainage water

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has awarded $1.12 million to support the University of Illinois-led research to clean agricultural drainage water through saturated buffers and denitrifying bioreactors.

19 Nov 2020

Novel DNA-based nanogel for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics

Current chemotherapy regimens slow cancer progression and save lives, but these powerful drugs affect both healthy and cancerous cells.

19 Nov 2020

High-protein total diet replacements may be a promising strategy to combat obesity

According to the World Health Organization, obesity has nearly tripled worldwide since 1975. In 2016, for example, more than 1.9 billion adults were categorized as overweight. Of these, more than 650 million had obesity.

19 Nov 2020

Study reveals metabolic signaling pathways that influence key immune cells

Effector regulatory T cells, also known as eTreg cells, are a specialized subset of white blood cells that maintain the immune system.

18 Nov 2020

Clostridium bacteria can help convert waste gas into valuable compounds

Several branches of industry discharge waste gases that contain mostly carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

17 Nov 2020

Several hepatitis C drugs can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease

Scientists have determined that drugs meant for treating hepatitis C can block SARS-CoV-2 main protease, which allows reproduction in the novel coronavirus.

17 Nov 2020

Salk’s HPI receives $30 million from Bezos Earth Fund to fight climate change

Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative will receive $30 million from the Bezos Earth Fund to advance efforts to increase the ability of crop plants, such as corn and soybeans, to capture and store atmospheric carbon via their roots in the soil.

17 Nov 2020

New removable coating cleans desalination membranes

A removable coating that can be used to clean desalination membranes has been developed by KAUST researchers. The nontoxic coating could provide a safer and more efficient alternative to harmful chemicals used to clean reverse osmosis systems for seawater desalination.

17 Nov 2020

Biochar holds promise for removing contaminants from wastewater

Biochar -- a charcoal-like substance made primarily from agricultural waste products -- holds promise for removing emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals from treated wastewater.

17 Nov 2020

Study investigates fungitoxic activity of natural isothiocyanate derivatives of glucosinolates

The agricultural industry relies heavily on chemical fungicides to protect crops. Many of these products have a detrimental effect on human and animal health. As a result, some of the most effective fungicides are considered to be banned in a number of geographies, especially in Europe.

17 Nov 2020

New research uncovers vital link in complex biochemical pathway for saponin synthesis

Many plants, including legumes, make naturally occurring chemicals called saponins. For example, the medicinal plant licorice produces the saponin glycyrrhizin, a potent natural sweetener that also has antiviral and other pharmacological activity. Soyasaponins, found in soybeans, have anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties.

From Osaka University 17 Nov 2020

Bacterial microbes in the human gut could help diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorder

Every year, 1 out of 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and the count has been increasing, reports the Centers for Disease Research.

16 Nov 2020

Scientists identify new way to turn energy-poor pathway products into biorenewable ones

The imminent environmental crisis calls for an urgent transition to a green economy. A team of scientists at Nagoya University, Japan, led by Professor Susumu Saito, has recently found an interesting way to make this happen -- by leveraging an important metabolic pathway in living cells.

16 Nov 2020

Genetically engineered organisms can help mitigate atmospheric carbon

Climate change has become a crucial issue in the world. But in spite of agreements to combat climate change, global temperatures continue to rise.

12 Nov 2020

Biochemistry

Chemists identify effective inhibitors to block the uptake of SARS-CoV-2

A non-physical method for generating random building blocks

Seaweed-shaped mats can remove toxic metal ions from drinking water

New coating material for semiconductors may create opportunities to produce green fuels

Scientists elucidate the structure of ABC transporter protein

Tau protein in Alzheimer's disease looks different at every dementia stage

New project receives $1.12 million to clean agricultural drainage water

Novel DNA-based nanogel for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics

High-protein total diet replacements may be a promising strategy to combat obesity

Study reveals metabolic signaling pathways that influence key immune cells

Clostridium bacteria can help convert waste gas into valuable compounds

Several hepatitis C drugs can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease

Salk’s HPI receives $30 million from Bezos Earth Fund to fight climate change

New removable coating cleans desalination membranes

Biochar holds promise for removing contaminants from wastewater

Study investigates fungitoxic activity of natural isothiocyanate derivatives of glucosinolates

New research uncovers vital link in complex biochemical pathway for saponin synthesis

Bacterial microbes in the human gut could help diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorder

Scientists identify new way to turn energy-poor pathway products into biorenewable ones

Genetically engineered organisms can help mitigate atmospheric carbon

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