Meet Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV for short. This crafty virus is everywhere, silently hanging out in your B cells for your entire life. When your body fights an infection, B cells change how they use energy to stay strong. EBV, being the sneaky bug it is, figures out ways to trick B cells into doing
NASA just hit the pause button on its Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission. The spacecraft, initially set for a spring 2025 launch, will now lift off no earlier than September. Why the delay? NASA needs more time to prep the flight systems. This isn't the first time IMAP's laun
Cinnamon, a well-known spice, offers numerous health benefits. Scientists decided to explore the medicinal potential of seven native Ceylon cinnamon species from Sri Lanka. They focused on the essential oils, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The team collected bark and leaf samples fro
DNA isn't just a straight line of code; it's a twisted, intertwined helix. This twist, or DNA topology, affects almost every DNA reaction in living cells. The key players managing this twist are DNA topoisomerases. While we’ve learned a lot about these enzymes in bacteria and more complex life forms
Imagine a spacecraft flying closer to the sun than ever before! Meet the Parker Solar Probe, NASA's latest mission to unravel the mysteries of our star. This isn't just a quick hello; the probe will zoom through the sun's super-hot outer atmosphere, the corona, getting as close as 3. 8 million miles
Ever thought about how tiny machines in our bodies make energy? Meet ATP synthase, a tiny motor inside cells. It has two main parts, F O and F 1 , and a central part called the γ-subunit that's just 1 nanometer long. This subunit twists while making energy, like a little propeller. Each twist o
Did you know that some corals glow bright red? Meet Corallium rubrum, an octocoral that's only found in the western Mediterranean Sea. This coral isn't like the rest. It's famous for its stunning red color and hardness. Instead of just making tiny calcified structures called sclerites, C. rubrum cre
Celosia argentea is a plant that's not only attractive but also useful in medicine. As more people appreciate these multi-purpose plants, finding ways to make them even more appealing could open up new markets. Changing the DNA of these plants, a process called polyploidization, can help achieve thi
Have you ever wondered what makes rice pollen so unique? One key player is a protein called OsPAD1. This protein is a lipid transfer protein, meaning it helps move fats around inside plant cells. In rice, OsPAD1 is crucial for creating tiny openings called apertures on pollen grains. Why are apertu
Insects and other tiny critters are vital parts of our planet's ecosystems. Among them, certain fungi play a big role in keeping populations in check. These fungi, called entomopathogenic fungi, specifically attack insects and arthropods. One group, the Hypocreales, has been overlooked by scientists
