Imagine you have two mirror images of a molecule that are identical in every way, except for being reflections of each other. These are called enantiomers. Separating them has been a long-standing challenge, especially since they're crucial in biological systems. Scientists recently discovered that
Well, that's quite a journey! The Perseverance rover has finally climbed out of the Martian crater it called home for nearly four years. Landing on Mars in 2021, this rover has been on a mission to find evidence that Mars could have supported life. It's been exploring Jezero Crater, which was once a
The U. S. Space Force is gearing up to test new modular satellite technology in an upcoming mission. This mission is part of their Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, aiming to speed up the launch of important payloads like surveillance sensors into space. The Space Force wants to use a sys
Ever wondered how tiny compounds in nature can lead to big medical breakthroughs? Let's dive into the world of hexahydropyrrolo, a naturally occurring chemical that's been stirring up excitement among scientists. Synthesizing natural products, like hexahydropyrrolo, is like trying to recreate a comp
You might think using sting operations to unveil fake research is a good idea, right? Wrong! It's like fighting fire with fire, and it can cause more harm than good. Biomedical research depends heavily on trust, both from fellow scientists and the public. When researchers cook up false claims, they
Imagine the mouse's brain as a complex city map, where different areas represent different smells. This map is created and maintained by special brain cells called projection neurons. When these cells are removed, the map starts to change, even though the mice can still smell things. In the mouse's
Have you ever thought about how cells manage to turn food into energy? They're like tiny factories, taking in chemicals and converting them into useful stuff. Scientists have been trying to copy this trick by creating teeny bubbles called microcompartments. These bubbles can grow and change, just li
Imagine tiny creatures that can slip past our natural defenses as if they weren't even there. These aren't any ordinary bacteria—they're made of mirrored molecules, crafted by scientists themselves. While they're not naturally found, these mirror microbes could pose a significant threat if they ever
The blood-brain barrier (BBB)—a vital structure made up of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons—plays a crucial role in protecting the brain. It's like a bouncer at a club, ensuring only the right stuff gets in and the wrong stuff stays out. But this barrier isn't static;
Ever wondered how the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)—the biggest compartment in our cells—moves things around inside? This is a big deal, especially for understanding diseases that happen when the ER doesn't form right. Scientists think the ER might use tiny muscle-like contractions to move stuff around
