Iranian researchers from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences proposed the application of egg white as the size-controlling agent in the production of oxide nanoparticles. The researchers produced a type of nanoparticle at laboratorial scale in the presence of egg white through a simple method based on the principles of green chemistry. The aim of the group was to synthesize andRead more

Flying people to deep space -- like Mars or an asteroid -- is high on NASA's wish list, but research on mice suggested Friday that extended radiation exposure permanently harms the brain. Central nervous system damage and cognitive impairments were observed in lab animals that were exposed to highly energetic charged particles -- similar to the galactic cosmic rays thatRead more

A team from Oxford University, the University of Bristol, and the University of Western Australia has analysed 3.46 billion-year-old rocks containing structures once thought to be Earth’s oldest microfossils. The team present high-spatial resolution data that show these 'Apex chert microfossils' do not match younger fossils of microscopic life and instead comprise peculiarly-shaped minerals. Yet, as the team report thisRead more

The mating behaviour of tiny wasps could provide vital clues to how animals can protect themselves from extinction. Researchers at the University of St Andrews have discovered that under laboratory conditions female wasps live longer by mating with multiple males. The work of Rebecca Boulton and David Shuker of the School of Biology has been published in the journal EvolutionRead more

Iranian researchers from Kashan University synthesized a nanocomposite which can be used in tissue engineering. The biocompatible nanocomposite is highly strong and no toxic or harmful solvent has been used in its production. Hydroxyapatite is one of the most valuable biocompatible compounds in the production of bone implants. However, hydroxyapatite cannot be used solely due to its low strength andRead more

When we look at a known word, our brain sees it like a picture, not a group of letters needing to be processed. That's the finding from a Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, which shows the brain learns words quickly by tuning neurons to respond to a complete word, not parts of it.Read more

Researchers programmed bacteria to generate a molecule that, through normal metabolism, becomes a hunger-suppressing lipid. Mice that drank water laced with the programmed bacteria ate less, had lower body fat and staved off diabetes -- even when fed a high-fat diet -- offering a potential weight-loss strategy for humans. The team will describe their approach at the 249th National MeetingRead more

U.S. researchers have created a hybrid system of semiconducting nanowires and bacteria to mimic the natural photosynthetic process, an advancement they believe could be a potentially game-changing breakthrough. The system is designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before they are vented into the atmosphere and then, powered by solar energy, convert that greenhouse gas into chemical products, including biodegradableRead more

Why do mosquitoes love you so much? A study published Wednesday said it could be down to your genes. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found an underlying genetic component to how attractive people are to mosquitoes and said this is likely to be caused by genetic control of people's body odor. The findings, published inRead more

A study is calling into question the worth of pain diaries, showing that patients who kept daily pain diaries following a serious back injury reported a significantly slower recovery than those who didn't record their symptoms. For some people suffering from chronic pain, part of their daily routine is recording the extent of it in a pain diary. Often doneRead more