Influenza A virus, or IAV, has a sneaky trick up its sleeve. It's a tiny piece of RNA, called USP30-AS1. This RNA is part of our own genetic material, but the virus hijacks it to help itself multiply. The story begins with a pathway in our cells called JAK-STAT. When IAV invades, this pathway kicks
Imagine being able to check a baby's heart health before they are born. That is exactly what doctors are trying to do with a special ultrasound test. This test is done during the first few months of pregnancy. The goal is to spot any heart problems early on. This is important because heart issue
The 2025 Oscars are set to shake things up with a lineup of Best Picture nominees that are anything but ordinary. The films up for the top prize are not the usual big-budget blockbusters. They are not the typical action-packed, special effects-heavy movies that often dominate the box office. Instea
Imagine tiny, super-organized sheets made from special molecules called pillararenes. These aren't your average sheets. They have pockets both inside and outside, and they can hold onto things much bigger than you'd expect. First, let's talk about these pillararenes. They're like tiny building bloc
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a challenging type of breast cancer. It's tough to treat because it doesn't respond well to targeted therapies. This is partly due to changes in certain signaling pathways, like the PI3K and mTOR pathways. Researchers have found that a protein called
The conflict in Gaza and Ukraine has sparked a big debate. People are asking if what's happening in Gaza is genocide. This is a heavy word with a lot of weight. It's not just about definitions or legal terms. It's about the suffering of tens of thousands of innocent people. The focus should be on fi
For over half a century, scientists have been using phase contrast optical microscopy to measure airborne asbestos fibers. This method's effectiveness relies on the microscope's design, setup, and the person using it. In the past, the HSE/NPL Mark II Phase Contrast Test Slide was the go-to tool for
Farmers today face a big challenge. They need to keep pests away from their crops while also protecting the environment and their communities. There's no easy way out. They can't just spray chemicals whenever they want. So, they are getting creative and using technology to stay ahead of the game. Th
Pests are evolving and outsmarting the special corn used to fight them. This corn has a special toxin from a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis. It was designed to protect crops and make farming easier. However, pests have adapted and are now resistant to the toxin. This means the corn is not a
COVID-19 has left many people with lingering health issues, even after the virus is gone. One big problem is that the blood vessels in some people don't work as well as they should. This can make simple tasks, like walking up stairs, feel much harder. But here's where it gets interesting: exercise m
