Biochemistry

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Researchers uncover magnesium’s crucial role in cellular energy production

An international research team led by Umeå professor Magnus Wolf-Watz has discovered how the magnesium atom directs the chemistry that catalyzes the production of the energy molecule ATP in a cell. ATP is a vital driving force in the cell.

29 Aug 2024

Innovative berry-based skin spray targets hospital-acquired bacteria

VTT has developed a skin spray, based on nanocellulose and antimicrobial compounds from wild berries, which can be used to treat wounds and eliminate hospital-acquired bacteria such as MRSA before surgery.

28 Aug 2024

Marine snail venom may inspire new diabetes and hormone disorder treatments

Scientists are finding clues for how to treat diabetes and hormone disorders in an unexpected place: a toxin from one of the most venomous animals on the planet.

20 Aug 2024

Researchers develop plant-based instant golden milk with enhanced shelf life

If you've visited a trendy café in the past few years, you might have noticed "golden" turmeric milk on the menu.

18 Aug 2024

Researchers use XAI to unlock secrets of drug discovery

Artificial intelligence (AI) has exploded in popularity. It powers models that help us drive vehicles, proofread emails and even design new molecules for medications.

18 Aug 2024

Uncovering the mechanisms behind bacterial cell shape and potential antibiotic targets

In what they labeled a "surprising" finding, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers studying bacteria from freshwater lakes and soil say they have determined a protein's essential role in maintaining the germ's shape.

16 Aug 2024

Breakthrough in the synthesis of fungal bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications

The natural world is rich in chemical compounds with remarkable medicinal properties. A notable example is penicillin, discovered by chance from the Penicillium mold.

9 Aug 2024

Controllable chiral switching in double-helical foldamers for advanced molecular systems

The deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, the molecular system that carries the genetic information of living organisms, can transcribe and amplify information using its two helical strands.

9 Aug 2024

Rapid, noninvasive tool tracks neurons and biomolecules activated in the brain by psychedelic drugs

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a rapid, noninvasive tool to track the neurons and biomolecules activated in the brain by psychedelic drugs.

5 Aug 2024

New dual-purpose contrast agent revolutionizes PET and MRI integration for enhanced diagnosis

A research team from IOCB Prague, working in collaboration with the University of Tübingen, Germany, and the Faculty of Science, Charles University, has developed a new type of contrast agent that can be used in both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

5 Aug 2024

Honey enhances probiotic survival in yogurt

If you enjoy a bowl of plain yogurt in the morning, adding a spoonful of honey is a delicious way to sweeten your favorite breakfast food.

5 Aug 2024

Researchers identify strategy to design safer opioids

Opioid medications offer people relief from debilitating pain, but these drugs come with dangers: the risk for addiction, miserable withdrawal symptoms and the potential for fatal overdose.

2 Aug 2024

Scientists capture NMDAR protein's 'twist' motion, key to brain signaling

Proteins are constantly performing a kind of dance. They move and contort their bodies to fulfill specific functions inside our bodies. The NMDAR protein executes an especially hard dance routine in our brains. One wrong step can lead to a range of neurological disorders. NMDAR binds to the neurotransmitter, glutamate, and another compound, glycine. These bindings control NMDAR's dance steps. When their routine is over, the NMDAR opens. This open ion channel generates electrical signals critical for cognitive functions like memory.

1 Aug 2024

New zwitterionic polyion developed for effective plasmid DNA delivery in muscle cells

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have created a new drug delivering molecule, a zwitterionic polymer complex that can help get plasmid DNA inside cells when injected into skeletal muscle, a crucial step in the expression of therapeutic RNA and proteins.

28 Jul 2024

Study reveals enhanced electron transport in folded peptides

What puts the electronic pep in peptides? A folded structure, according to a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

26 Jul 2024

Challenging antibiotic resistance with dual-action macrolones

A new antibiotic that works by disrupting two different cellular targets would make it 100 million times more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance, according to new research from the University of Illinois Chicago.

24 Jul 2024

New method can rapidly determine virus infectivity

A new method that can rapidly determine whether a virus is infectious or non-infectious could revolutionize the response to future pandemics.

23 Jul 2024

Multi-signal processing guide RNAs: A new frontier in gene regulation

Guides typically assist tourists with directions, but the experience could be greatly enhanced if they offered personalized services tailored to individual interests.

22 Jul 2024

Ginseng genome unlocks secrets of medicinal benefits

A landmark study has successfully decoded the complete ginseng genome, unveiling the genetic mechanisms that govern saponin biosynthesis. This detailed genetic map illuminates the evolutionary and metabolic pathways of Panax ginseng, a staple in traditional medicine. This pivotal discovery promises to drive forward breeding initiatives and augment the plant's medicinal qualities, unlocking new possibilities for therapeutic applications.

19 Jul 2024

New insights into modified nucleoside synthesis

The genetic information on DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and translated to the amino acid sequence by transfer RNA (tRNA) on the ribosome. Modified nucleosides within RNA are involved in maintaining and regulating the protein synthesis system.

19 Jul 2024