Global wastewater treatment rates have improved to about half, but developing countries still lag far behind. The study highlights the need for increased financial resources and creative reuse opportunities to improve wastewater treatment practices.
The Caspian Sea is projected to lose over a third of its surface area due to accelerating sea level drops, posing significant threats to unique ecosystems and millions of people living near the sea. Researchers urge immediate action to mitigate this problem, which could have devastating consequences like global sea level rise.
A fully human monoclonal antibody prevents SARS-CoV-2 virus from infecting cultured cells, suggesting potential for treating or preventing COVID-19. The discovery is an initial step towards developing a fully human antibody to address the pandemic.
Research highlights need for large-scale systematic study of exposome, combining environmental and internal factors, to understand effects of thousands of chemicals. Scientists aim to remove pollutants or develop green chemistry alternatives to protect human health and the environment.
Researchers at Utrecht University have successfully created mini kidneys from urine cells, which can be used to study certain kidney diseases. These mini kidneys can also be infected with viruses to test potential treatments for patients who undergo a transplant.
Plant biologists at Utrecht University have discovered how the plant metabolises jasmonic acid, issuing the signal 'safe'. The discovery of four related enzymes that break down jasmonic acid reveals a crucial mechanism for controlling its levels.
The ASPM protein collaborates with katanin to regulate cell division and specialization into nerve cells, crucial for healthy brain development. A study published in Nature Cell Biology provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying microcephaly.
Researchers have mapped transport in mammalian axons for the first time, revealing a crucial protein called MAP2 that regulates molecular movement. The discovery provides new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The study reveals that the ice caps around Greenland's edges have lost their capacity to contain and refreeze meltwater, causing massive ice mass loss. The researchers found that the highest ice caps are still relatively healthy, but the 'melting line' is moving towards them, posing a significant problem.
Researchers used quantum dots to study transport within cells, observing both fast and slow movements. They found that faster particles move through openings in a dynamic network of protein tubules, while slower ones are caught in the same network.
Researchers at Utrecht University have uncovered the operation of the ancient biological clock in cyanobacteria, revealing a precision system comprising three protein components: KaiA, KaiB and KaiC. By slowing down time and applying cutting-edge techniques, the team identified the vital structures that govern the clock's daily rhythm.
A study by Utrecht University reveals that wintering mallards play a crucial role in dispersing plant seeds between isolated wetlands. The daily movement patterns of these birds are highly predictable from the landscape they inhabit, and their foraging behavior helps maintain connections between otherwise disconnected plant populations.
Researchers have discovered that plants can direct their seeds towards suitable sites by wind or water, contrary to previous findings for animal-dispersed plant species. This 'directed dispersal' allows wetland plants to optimize seed transportation and reach new areas for growth.