The human genome is a vast library of over 3 billion base pairs, yet advancements in whole-genome sequencing reveal only 2% are protein-coding. This startling finding has prompted one of the most pressing missions of contemporary biology: to fully understand the role of the remaining 98% of the genome. Accomplishing this mission requires next-generation sequencing […]
Hidden within us: The dark matter of the human genome Read More »
Katalin Karikó, the 13th woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, was initially demoted from her position at the University of Pennsylvania for the same research on messenger RNA (mRNA) that won her the achievement in 2023. Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman jointly received the award in October for their chemical
From nowhere to Nobel Read More »
A simple dog walk is an odyssey of olfactory exploration. As they venture outdoors, dogs eagerly dart around to investigate various scents — poop, carcasses, and fire hydrants are like neon beacons to them. While humans have a decent sense of smell, dogs reign supreme in the olfactory realm. This difference is rooted in biology.
The dog days of AI: Unraveling the secrets of canine scent Read More »
DNA: the fundamental building block of all life. Nearly every student learns about the master of genetic information as early as elementary school. DNA is the carrier of this important code within all living organisms. However, it isn’t just what DNA encodes for that is important, but also its very design. The structure of DNA
Strength from unlikely places: How glass and DNA form a material stronger than steel Read More »
The traditional approach of administering certain medications through direct injection can be particularly effective for drug delivery, but may be uncomfortable for children and those with needle phobias. While oral medications are available for some drugs, large-molecule drugs that treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or cancer can only be administered through an
Sticky solutions: Octopus-inspired suction patches revolutionize drug delivery Read More »
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, have persisted in the environment for decades, earning the name “forever chemicals.” These man-made chemicals, found in nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and grease-resistant packaging, have been manufactured since the 1940s, and have since impaired waters globally. PFAS contain carbon and fluorine bonds, one of the strongest bonds in
Not so forever chemicals: A new treatment for PFAS removal Read More »
Flesh-eating bacteria sounds like an epidemic straight out of a horror movie: oblivious beachgoers infected by an aggressive germ with no hope for a cure! As far-fetched as it sounds, this prospective movie pitch is a growing reality for many residents of the East Coast of the United States. While usually confined to tropical waters
Flesh-eating bacteria cases on the rise? Read More »
How long can the brain function without oxygen from the heart? For a long time, scientists thought that the answer was about 6–10 minutes before the brain undergoes permanent damage. However, recent research reveals that 1 in 5 people who undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and survive can remember events from when they were “dead.” When
Dead yet conscious: Some CPR survivors recall events during heart failure Read More »
It is not every day that a fossil of an entirely new species is found, let alone that of an early human, estimated to be 300,000 years old. This recent discovery adds an entirely new chapter in the story of premodern human history. In 2019, a team of scientists led by Xiu-Jie Wu and Wu
The discovery of a 300,000-year-old fossil, and what it means Read More »