Scientists solve mystery of how predatory bacteria recognizes prey

B. bacteriovorus lays down a robust vesicle ‘invasion organelle’ during invasion. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01552-2 A decades-old mystery of how natural antimicrobial predatory bacteria are able to recognize and kill other bacteria may have been solved, according to new research. In a study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers from the University of Birmingham … Read more

Seismic and infrasonic signals used to characterize Nord Stream pipeline events

(a) Map showing the locations of the two largest Nord Stream events and other events analyzed in this study. Locations of the presumed earthquakes are those published by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. Locations of the August 2019 undersea mine detonations in the Fehmarnbelt Nature Conservation Area (bounded by the red line) published by … Read more

‘Giant’ predator worms more than half a billion years old discovered in North Greenland

Greenland. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Fossils of a new group of animal predators have been located in the Early Cambrian Sirius Passet fossil locality in North Greenland. These large worms may be some of the earliest carnivorous animals to have colonized the water column more than 518 million years ago, revealing a past dynasty of … Read more

NASA telescopes start the year with a double bang

Credit: NASA A colorful, festive image shows different types of light containing the remains of not one, but at least two exploded stars. This supernova remnant is known as 30 Doradus B (30 Dor B for short) and is part of a larger region of space where stars have been continuously forming for the past … Read more

Alzheimer’s drugs might get into the brain faster with new ultrasound tool, study shows

WASHINGTON — Scientists have found a way to help Alzheimer’s drugs seep inside the brain faster — by temporarily breaching its protective shield. The novel experiment was a first attempt in just three patients. But in spots in the brain where the new technology took aim, it enhanced removal of Alzheimer’s trademark brain-clogging plaque, researchers … Read more

Nematode proteins shed light on infertility

A cartoon of paired homologous chromosomes (blue) with the synaptonemal complex (SC, green) assembled between them. Below, from top to bottom, are cartoons depicting the localization of proteins in a normal SC, in the SC of the researcher-bred infertile nematodes, and in the SC of the nematodes with the suppressor-mutation. Credit: Lisa Kursel and Maria … Read more

Enhanced brain delivery of antibodies heightens the potential to treat brain diseases

Synthetic process of PMPC polymers and TmabPMPCs. (A) Synthetic process of thiol-reactive maleimide-modified PMPC. MPC was first polymerized following a RAFT polymerization to obtain Carboxyl-terminated PMPC. Then the end group was converted to an amino group with Ethylenediamine modification, followed by converting the amino group to maleimide group by Sulfo-SMCC to obtain maleimide-modified PMPC. (B) … Read more

SpaceX soars into 2024 with a burst of color and six special satellites

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The first SpaceX launch of 2024, which took place Tuesday night, included something that none of the company’s prior launches did. The Falcon 9 rocket carried 21 low-orbit satellites for its sister company, Starlink, including six that—for the first time—feature direct-to-cell communications. The satellites are designed to eliminate cellphone service “dead … Read more

SpaceX back with 1st Space Coast launch of the year

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain After a record 2023, SpaceX is not slowing down its launch plans for 2024 with the first launch of the year from Florida slated for Wednesday evening. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a telecom satellite for private Swedish company Ovzon is slated to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s … Read more

Study uncovers the synchrony connecting kelp forests to the beach

Shorebirds forage in kelp wrack on a beach in California. Credit: Jenny Dugan, UC Santa Barbara The Santa Barbara Channel’s kelp forests and its sandy beaches are intimately connected. Giant kelp, the foundation species of rocky reefs, serves as a major part of the beach food web as fronds of the giant seaweed break away … Read more