The new Czech government, led by the ANO party, is at odds with the outgoing administration over the 2026 budget. The dispute centers around the budget's lack of funds for infrastructure and social programs, which the ANO party and its allies argue is necessary to meet their campaign promises. The outgoing government, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, has already re...
Horror stories often draw from deep wells of history and belief. This is the focus of an upcoming exhibit at the American Writers Museum in Chicago. The exhibit, titled "American Prophets: Writers, Religion and Culture, " opens on November 21. It explores how these elements shape the work of horror writers. The museum recently hosted a panel at the University of Chi...
In the world of biofuel production, breaking down plant material is a big challenge. Scientists have been working on ways to make this process more efficient. One promising approach involves using enzymes from a heat-loving fungus called Rasamsonia emersonii. This fungus naturally produces enzymes that can break down plant material, but not enough of a crucial type ...
Scientists have found two special enzymes from a fungus that can help break down plant material. These enzymes, called α-L-Arabinofuranosidases (ABFs), are important because they remove arabinose, a type of sugar, from plant fibers. This makes it easier for other enzymes to break down the plant material further. The enzymes, named TsAbf62A and TsAbf62B, were taken f...
A jury in Michigan failed to reach a decision in a high-profile murder case. The case involved a police officer who shot and killed a motorist during a routine traffic stop. After four days of deliberation, the jury announced it was deadlocked. This led Judge Christina Mims of the Kent County Circuit Court to declare a mistrial. The officer in question was Christoph...
The world of plant enzymes is vast and often overlooked. One such enzyme, a beta-xylosidase from rice, has caught the eye of researchers. This enzyme, named OsXyl1, is part of a group called glycoside hydrolase family 3. It was produced in a different organism, Pichia pastoris, to study its properties. OsXyl1 works best in acidic conditions, around pH 4. 0, and at a...
The ground shook in Southern California on a Monday morning. A 5. 2 magnitude earthquake hit the region. This was not a big surprise. The area is known for its seismic activity. The epicenter was in San Diego County, just a few miles from Julian. This small mountain town is famous for its apple pie shops. The quake was felt as far north as Los Angeles County, a...
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that affects countless women worldwide. It involves altering or injuring female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice can lead to severe physical and emotional issues. Fortunately, there is hope through reconstructive surgery. This procedure is safe and can greatly improve a woman's physical and em...
A sudden dust storm in Kansas led to a chain reaction of crashes on I-70, leaving at least 8 people dead and many more injured. The storm hit hard and fast, with high winds blowing in from Colorado and reducing visibility to almost nothing. This made it nearly impossible for drivers to see the road ahead, causing a massive pile-up involving over 55 vehicles. Imagine ...
Firstly, imagine a battle between tiny organisms such as Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica and the livestock industry. FgSAP-2 is a key protein that can help us in this battle. There are two ways to produce this protein: in bacteria (prokaryotic expression) and in more sophisticated organisms (eukaryotic expression). The second type is potentially better bec...