TopNewsOn

Results for “end zone”

Light-powered method resurrects 'dead-end' compounds for drug discovery

Throughout the drug development process, which can take a decade or more, tens of thousands of chemical compounds are produced that never go on to become medicines. A Florida State University researcher is part of a team that has discovered a new way to give some of these "dead ends" a second chance at becoming the foundation for tomorrow's blockbuster drugs.

Phys.org · Nov 6
400,000-year-old teeth reveal a stunning twist in human evolution

A groundbreaking discovery is rewriting the story of human evolution, revealing that an ancient human species once thought to be an evolutionary dead end may have left genetic traces in people alive today. By extracting proteins from 400,000-year-old Homo erectus teeth discovered in China, scientists uncovered evidence suggesting that these early humans interbred with Denisovans, another mysterious ancient human group. That genetic connection may have eventually reached modern populations in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Science Daily · Nov 5
Bio-based smart coating combines fire protection, early warning and upcyclability

Researchers have developed a multifunctional fire-protective coating that not only shields materials from extreme heat but also provides an early warning of fire and can be recycled into new flame-retardant materials at the end of its life. The work, published in Polymer Degradation and Stability, demonstrates a strategy for combining fire safety, sustainability and circularity within a single material system.

Phys.org · Nov 4
Bee nest linings could inspire plastics that break down in soil

Hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastics are produced every year, and most of them end up sitting in landfills or polluting natural environments after use. These plastics endure for dozens to hundreds of years. But some scientists are on the lookout for solutions to this problem. And now, one team of researchers might have found a potential solution in bee nests. Their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that a natural plastic made by bees may offer design lessons for plastics that degrade naturally in far less time.

Phys.org · Nov 3
Why are we so squeamish about eating hagfish?

When fishers are out working their boats, they are typically targeting a specific type of fish. However, other species often end up in their nets or trawls as well. This is known as "bycatch"—seafood for which the fishers receive no payment. Although it is illegal to discard bycatch back into the sea, it still happens.

Phys.org · Nov 3
Microbes at the end of the Earth: Antarctica's hidden biodiversity

When we think about Antarctica, many people imagine penguins, seals and whales. However, the majority of Antarctica's scientific wonders cannot be seen without a microscope. These microbial communities form the foundation of Antarctic ecosystems yet remain largely invisible to most visitors.

Phys.org · Nov 3
As cancer treatments become more effective, we must ask: what is life like for the people who receive them? | Ranjana Srivastava

Many treatments are now extending lives, but the measure of progress should not end with a scan or a survival curve Two decades ago, a dear friend called me in a trembling voice. Was there hope for his young nephew , whose cancer had spread to the brain? Sadly, “no”, I said. But today, for such patients, there are options that were unimaginable back then. Recently, researchers at the European Society For Medical Oncology presented the latest chapter results from a randomised controlled trial of a bespoke cancer vaccine for patients with high-risk melanoma. The trial involved 1,137 patients whose melanoma had been surgically removed but remained at high recurrence risk. They received either pembrolizumab, an established immunotherapy, or pembrolizumab combined with an experimental mRNA vaccine, designed to help the immune system recognise and attack targets unique to the patient’s tumour. Continue reading...

The Guardian · Nov 2
Clearer environmental benefits could encourage green EV insurance purchases

For many customers, choosing an electric vehicle (EV) is an environmentally conscious choice. But sustainability doesn't end at the showroom. It also extends to the choices people make while owning and operating their vehicles. For an EV, this can mean making informed choices about energy-efficient driving, environmentally responsible repairs and battery support.

Phys.org · Nov 2
How permanent daylight saving time could affect schools

Sleep is fundamental to well-being. Decisions to end semiannual clock changes and remain on permanent daylight saving time (DST) in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario have consequences for many Canadians due to potential sleep disruption.

Phys.org · Nov 1