You might have heard that smoking can harm your unborn baby, but do you know how it does this exactly? This study took a closer look at how cigarette smoke messes with the placenta, the organ that connects moms and babies. It turns out, the smoke affects a crucial process inside placenta cells calle
Neurodegenerative diseases are like intricate puzzles that scientists are working hard to solve. They affect both small components (like molecules and cells) and large aspects (such as physiology) of the brain. Traditional tools aren't doing the job well, but a new technology called microfluidics mi
Ever wondered how Alzheimer's disease affects the brains of people with Down syndrome? Scientists are exploring if changes in brain thickness and size can help figure out the disease's stages. It's like trying to solve a brain puzzle: do these changes look the same as in other inherited forms of Alz
You know those painful knee issues many people deal with as they age? It turns out, there’s a surprising connection to how our cells manage energy. Scientists discovered that a protein called FTO helps control a process in our cells called autophagy. Autophagy keeps cells healthy by recycling old pa
Did you know that plastic waste can take hundreds of years to break down? That's why scientists are on the hunt for better solutions. One promising find is polyhydroxybutyrate, or PHB, a biodegradable polymer made by microbes. Mexico, with its diverse microbial world, is a hotspot for these tiny hel
Ever wondered why leaf beetle larvae prefer to munch on old leaves while their parents enjoy fresh ones? Scientists found that these tiny creatures have a secret weapon: bacteria-borrowed genes. These genes help the larvae break down cellulose, a tough fiber found in mature leaves. Without these gen
Did you know that some plastics can soak up heavy metals like a sponge? Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) mulch is designed to replace conventional polyethylene (PE) mulch in farming. The goal? To cut down on plastic waste and microplastics in soil. But it turns out, these tiny plastic bits can al
Researchers have come up with a smart new way to figure out how much coastal cliffs are eroding. They combined data from drones, satellites, and laser measurements to see how bad the erosion is. This method helps us understand both natural wear and tear on cliffs and damage to protective structures
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has a clear view: life on Earth has improved in many ways over the past 50 years. Things like infant deaths, global literacy, and poverty rates have all gone down. But there's a big exception: the natural world. It's been hurt by pollution and overuse. Amazon, Bezo
Scientists are exploring a new angle in the mystery of brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These diseases often show up late in life and cause problems with how your brain works. Both diseases have something in common: they cause your brain to get inflamed. So far, some studies have hi
