Imagine a tiny protein that could revolutionize the way we understand obesity and metabolism. That's exactly what leptin did thirty years ago. Discovered by chance, this little molecule has since become a big deal in the world of health and science. So, what's the story behind leptin? It all starte
Keeping an eye on blood flow in artificial blood vessels is super important for spotting problems early. Scientists have created smart vascular grafts, or SVGs, that use tiny, flexible electronics to watch blood flow constantly. But these grafts face challenges like fitting well with the body and gi
Did you know that electric fields can speed up or slow down chemical reactions happening on electrodes? Scientists have been trying to figure out how to use these fields to make reactions more efficient and precise, similar to how enzymes do it naturally. They've been studying how electric fields at
This January, a unique celestial event is happening: six planets are visible in the night sky. This planetary get-together isn't a straight line, but they're close together on one side of the sun. Hannah Sparkes, who works at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Florida, calls this a "planetar
Macrophages, the body's cleanup crew, swallow dead cells through a process called efferocytosis. During this cleanup, they make special lipid molecules using oxygenases. Among these, very reactive lipid-derived electrophiles (LDEs) can modify important proteins inside the cells. But until now, we di
Ever wondered how our brains process what we see? It might surprise you that rhythmic brain activity plays a big role! Simply put, our brains use rhythm to adapt and understand visual information. A bunch of recent studies have shown that these rhythms help represent and communicate visual content.
Plants have a fascinating ability to create new vessels after being damaged, right? They can even do this when attacked by bad guys that steal their food! Scientists in Germany wanted to find out what helps or hinders this process, so they looked for genes in Arabidopsis mutants that changed how new
Have you ever wondered how spiders detect smells? Researchers have found that male spiders use tiny hairs on their legs to smell. These hairs, called wall-pore sensilla, act like a nose. They help spiders find mates by detecting special scents called pheromones. Female spiders release these scents t
Have you ever wondered how proteins find their way along DNA? They don't just land on the perfect spot every time. Scientists have been exploring how proteins move along DNA, focusing on their binding and unbinding. Imagine proteins sliding along a twisty road (DNA) with electricity and bonding inte
Washing machines might seem clean, but they're actually home to tiny hitchhikers—bacteria. These microscopic critters latch onto surfaces made of metals, polymers, and rubber, forming slimy layers called biofilms. They don't just stick to the machine; they also hitch a ride on clothes. Sweat, skin p
