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How membranes may have brought about the chemistry of life on earth

The study investigates how early membranes may have selected the right-handed sugars and left-handed amino acids used in all life today. The researchers found that right-handed DNA and RNA sugars more easily passed through membranes with properties similar to those of archaea.

Chinese scientists develop CoQ10-producing rice with gene editing

Researchers successfully developed CoQ10-producing rice through targeted gene editing, offering a cost-effective approach to nutritional fortification. The discovery provides great potential benefit for human health, particularly heart protection, and expands the food sources of CoQ10.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Mercury content in tuna can be reduced with new packaging solution

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a novel approach to packaging canned tuna, using a water-based solution of amino acid cysteine, which removes up to 35% of accumulated mercury. This technology has the potential to improve food safety and reduce human exposure to mercury via food.

How chemical reactions deplete nutrients in plant-based drinks

A new study reveals that plant-based drinks have lower nutritional quality than cow's milk due to chemical reactions during processing. The heat treatment used in UHT processing alters protein structures, leading to the loss of essential amino acids and increased sugar content.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Turning plants into workout supplement bio-factories

Scientists have created a system that allows for the production of essential amino acids and peptides commonly found in animals, such as creatine, carnosine, and taurine, within living plants. This technology has the potential to boost nutrient production in edible plants and other organisms.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Investigating the causes of fetal growth disorders

A study found that overexpressing a gene responsible for amino acid transport in the placenta can cause fetal growth to increase by 27%, while also providing insights into pregnancy complications like IUGR and obesity. The research has therapeutic implications, potentially informing treatments to prevent or treat these conditions.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Gut microbiota acts like an auxiliary liver

A new study reveals that gut microbiota significantly impacts host amino acid and glucose metabolism, leading to a second liver-like function. The research identifies specific bacterial metabolic genes responsible for depleting amino acids, which can be targeted to treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Some plant-based steaks and cold cuts are lacking in protein

A study published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that plant-based steaks and cold cuts have varying levels of protein quality and digestibility. The nutritional value depends on the plants used to create them, with some showing comparable profiles to their meat counterparts.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Fast folding for synthetic peptides and microproteins

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Striking gold with black, brown and red rice

International researchers have identified nutrient-rich black rice varieties with improved agronomic traits, including shorter stem length and early maturity. These findings provide important resources for crop bioengineers to improve pigmented rice for human health and sustainable agriculture.

Molecules precursors to life discovered in the Perseus Cloud

Scientists have detected various prebiotic molecules, including hydrogen cyanide and fullerenes, in the Perseus Molecular Cloud. The presence of these molecules near forming planets could contribute to the formation of complex organic molecules, potentially supplying ancient micro-organisms with the genetic code.

Genes in beans! Bean genome sequenced for improved nutrition

The faba bean genome has been fully sequenced for the first time, providing a genetic toolkit for breeding lines with beneficial traits. This achievement aims to improve nutritional content and sustainability of production, with a focus on increasing UK-grown pulses and promoting plant-based diets.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Why steamed hay can lead to protein deficiency in horses

Steaming hay kills harmful microorganisms, but damages proteins making them less digestible for horses. This can lead to impaired muscle development and nutrient deficiencies, affecting growth and coat health. Horses can be enriched with protein-rich feedstuffs to mitigate this risk.

Egg powder suitable as a food supplement?

A recent study led by Veronika Somoza found that egg powder is a valuable source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and indispensable amino acids. The researchers discovered that the drying process did not lead to contamination with heavy metals and that egg powder can provide up to 61% of a child's daily requirement for selenium.

Surprising culprit worsens stroke, TBI damage

A study reveals that four nonexcitatory amino acids can cause irreversible brain destruction after a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The amino acids flood the brain cells, leading to swelling and cell death.

Regular consumption of quinoa can help to prevent type 2 diabetes

A recent study published in Nutrients suggests that regular quinoa consumption can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers replaced carbohydrate-rich foods with quinoa and found a significant reduction in post-meal blood sugar spikes. By mitigating this spike, quinoa may play a crucial role in preventing the progression of type 2 dia...

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Ubiquitous nutrients suppress appetite and promote movement

A study published in Current Biology found that consuming non-essential amino acids can curb appetite and encourage physical activity in mice. This mechanism is thought to be rooted in evolutionary history, where eating these amino acids promoted the urge to seek out more nutrient-rich food sources.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Not all dietary proteins are created equal

A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that animal-based protein food sources elicited greater anabolic responses and increased whole-body net protein balance compared to plant-based protein food sources. This suggests that 'ounce equivalents' of protein food sources are not metabolically equivalent, and animal prot...

Gut hormone triggers craving for more proteins

A new study using fruit flies has uncovered the mechanism behind a gut hormone's role in inducing cravings for protein-rich foods. The research found that CNMamide, released by enterocytes in response to protein deprivation, conveys nutrient status to the brain, triggering a desire to consume essential amino acids.

Extraterrestrial biologically important sugars

Researchers found ribose and other biologically important sugars in meteorites, hinting at prebiotic origins on Earth. The discovery implies that sugars could have formed in space and been delivered to our planet, contributing to the emergence of life.

'Robust' corals primed to resist coral bleaching

A recent study revealed that robust reef-building corals possess a unique capacity to generate an essential amino acid, which may make them less susceptible to global warming-induced coral bleaching. This advantage allows robust corals to repair tissue and grow new tissue more efficiently than complex corals.

Not all muscle building supplements are equal

BCAA supplements stimulate muscle growth but lack essential amino acids, leading to a suboptimal response. Taking whey protein supplements with BCAAs is more effective for maximizing muscle growth and protein synthesis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Dietary link to stunted growth identified

Children under age 5 with stunted growth are found to have low levels of essential amino acids and nutrient choline, which can prevent cognitive development, increase susceptibility to illness, and shorten life spans. Researchers hope to develop new approaches to treat this debilitating condition by targeting dietary intake.

Aphids balance their diets by rebuilding plant amino acids

Researchers have discovered that aphids deplete all the amino acids in sugary sap they consume and then break them down to build essential amino acids from scratch. This process allows the insects to survive on an unbalanced diet, similar to other animals with gut microbes or symbionts that provide additional nutrition.

Soy is on top as a high-quality plant protein

A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has evaluated a new method for determining protein quality. Soy protein was found to be a high-quality protein with a PDCAAS score of 1.00, comparable to animal-based proteins like eggs, dairy, and meat.

Quality Control System Ensures Genetic Instructions Are Ready To Go

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that amino acids must attach to transfer RNA (tRNA) in the nucleus for efficient delivery out of the nucleus. This quality-control process, known as proofreading, ensures genetic instructions are complete and ready to function.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

How Did Life Begin? Biochemical Evolution On Chemical Surfaces

A new theory suggests that small organic molecules may assemble into self-replicating biomolecules on the surfaces of silica-rich minerals, providing a potential mechanism for life's origin. Geophysicist Joseph V. Smith proposes that organophilic zeolites could have concentrated and protected these organic compounds from destruction.

Low-Protein Diet May Reverse Kidney Disease

A very low protein diet with amino acid supplements has been shown to cure severe kidney disease in some individuals. The study suggests that this dietary therapy should be tried before drug treatment for nephrotic syndrome, which often leads to kidney failure.