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When foes become friends

Researchers discovered that a few changes in the genome are sufficient to turn a fungal plant pathogen into a potentially beneficial organism. The beneficial fungus has gained new genes and lost others, leading to reduced effector proteins needed to suppress the plant's immune system.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 12, 2016

New fabrication and thermo-optical tuning of whispering gallery microlasers

Scientists at OIST have developed a new method to fabricate glass microlasers, called whispering gallery microlasers, which are tiny optical devices that create intense light with one color or wavelength. The new technique allows for quick and easy fabrication of smaller devices for biosensing and optical communications.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 3, 2016

New understanding of enzymes could help to develop new drugs to treat diseases

A team of researchers at the University of Leicester has made significant progress in understanding the role of inositol phosphate molecules in regulating gene expression. By developing a novel peptide-based inhibitor, they have gained insights into how enzymes are activated by these small molecules, paving the way for more specific an...

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 25, 2016

Plants force fungal partners to behave fairly

In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that plants deliberately choose which fungal partners to provide with more nutrients, effectively forcing the less cooperative partner to supply more phosphates. This market-based process allows for optimal resource allocation and increased plant productivity.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalEcology Letters·DateApr 14, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Trap and neutralize: A new way to clean contaminated groundwater

Researchers have discovered a chemical method to immobilize uranium in contaminated groundwater, which could lead to more precise water remediation efforts. The technique involves adding specific amounts of phosphate to form a calcium phosphate barrier that traps uranium, rendering it inert.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 13, 2016

UD researchers examine ways to break down, track synthetic compound in herbicides

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to break down glyphosate, a common commercial herbicide, using manganese oxide minerals. The study found that the mineral can degrade glyphosate and AMPA, a major byproduct, within hours, providing a potential solution to environmental concerns about these compounds.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMar 24, 2016

Plants take on fungal tenants on demand

Researchers discovered that thale cress plant tolerates fungus when it needs help obtaining phosphate, rejecting it otherwise. The plant controls interaction through its immune system linked to a sensor for phosphate availability.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell·DateMar 21, 2016

A mouse model offers new insights into a rare lung disease

Researchers have identified biomarkers and potential therapeutic approaches for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM), a rare lung disease. A low-phosphate diet and EDTA treatment were found to prevent stone development and reverse lung calcification in animal models.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 11, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Is phosphate the next sodium?

A new Northwestern Medicine research center will investigate the potential heart damage caused by excess dietary phosphate, particularly in African Americans. The goal is to find new ways to prevent and treat heart failure and build evidence for regulating phosphate in the food supply.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJul 6, 2015

New technique maps elusive chemical markers on proteins

Researchers developed a new method to map critical chemical tags on proteins, enabling better understanding of protein formation and function. The technique allows pinpointing phosphates' location and studying unstable amino acids like histidine.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateJul 2, 2015
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.

Revealing the ocean's hidden fertilizer

A new study reveals a complex marine phosphorus cycle with a hidden role for microbial communities. Microbes transform phosphorus into phosphonates at varying rates depending on depth, shedding light on the ocean's ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateMay 15, 2015

Revealing the ocean's hidden fertilizer

A study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Columbia University reveals a more complex marine phosphorus cycle than previously thought, with microbes playing a key role in using and breaking down forms of the essential element. In the process, about five percent of phosphate is converted to phosphonates in shallow water samples.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScience·DateMay 14, 2015

Fungi enhances crop roots and could be a future 'bio-fertilizer'

New research found that mycorrhizal fungus triggers additional root growth in rice crops, allowing them to absorb more nutrients. The fungus also enmeshes itself within plant cells, providing a direct mineral boost.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2015

Study reveals how dietary phosphate can increase heart disease risk

A new study found that high phosphate levels cause a stress signal inside blood vessel cells, leading to the release of microparticles that promote blood clot formation. This process is a common cause of injury and death, particularly in patients with kidney disease who lose the ability to excrete excess phosphate.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 5, 2015

Desmoplakin's tail gets the message

Phosphorylation and methylation of desmoplakin regulate its interaction with the cytoskeleton, affecting cell-to-cell connections. The study reveals a regulatory mechanism that contributes to skin and heart diseases.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 2, 2015
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.

Major cause of blindness linked to calcium deposits in the eye

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found microscopic spheres of calcium phosphate in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The discovery opens up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment, potentially allowing early detection and prevention of the disease.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2015

University of Alberta researchers explain 38-year-old mystery of the heart

Researchers at the University of Alberta have explained how a key protein in the heart changes in heart failure, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind this complex condition. By studying troponin I, they discovered that increased calcium sensitivity actually helps trigger contraction, despite slower relaxation.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2014

Mercury in the global ocean

Researchers estimate mercury levels in global ocean, separating natural and human sources for the first time. The study found that ocean waters shallower than 100m have tripled in mercury concentration since the Industrial Revolution.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateAug 6, 2014

Seeing how a lithium-ion battery works

Researchers at MIT have discovered a 'random solid solution' that affects how ions move through the material, explaining the unexpectedly high power and long cycle life of lithium-ion batteries. The study provides new insights into the dynamic processes within electrode materials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 9, 2014
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New cause of high blood pressure and heart disease discovered

Excessive phosphate consumption stimulates the production of FGF23, leading to negative effects on the cardiovascular system, including high blood pressure and vascular calcification. The study provides new insights into the connection between renal disease, FGF23 levels, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateMay 5, 2014

Silver Banksia plants excel at phosphate saving

The Silver Banksia plant genus has developed a strategy to cope with phosphorus scarcity by reducing ribosomal RNA in their cells, saving phosphorus and water. By optimizing phosphate use, Proteaceae plants outperform Arabidopsis thaliana in photosynthetic efficiency.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPlant Cell & Environment·DateDec 10, 2013

Tumor-suppressor Protein Gives Up Its Secrets

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that reversible chemical tags attached to the PTEN protein can regulate its activity. When these phosphate groups are bound, PTEN becomes inactive, suppressing cell division and migration. This finding may lead to new options for drug design to keep PTEN working.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateJul 9, 2013

Phosphate-binding drug does not improve heart health of patients with mild kidney disease

A study found that a phosphate-binding drug did not reduce cardiovascular measures in patients with early chronic kidney disease, suggesting dietary restriction may be the best way to mitigate phosphate's negative effects on the heart. Higher blood phosphate levels increase the risk of dying from heart-related causes.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 18, 2013
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.

Gains made towards treatment of rare bone disease

Scientists at McGill University and the Federal University of Sao Paulo have identified osteopontin as a key player in X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), a rare bone disease characterized by soft bones and tooth abnormalities. This discovery may lead to the development of an enzyme-replacement therapy to treat XLH patients.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateFeb 20, 2013

RUB researchers find over active enzyme in failing hearts

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found an overactive CaM kinase II enzyme in failing hearts, which relaxes muscle cells by phosphorylating the giant protein titin. This may lead to a new starting point for treating heart failure.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCirculation Research·DateJan 17, 2013

Rejecting arsentate

Researchers discovered that bacteria in arsenic-rich environments developed a protein, PBP, with extreme selectivity for phosphate over arsenate. The unique bond between the protein and arsenate molecule led to repulsion and prevented its entry into the cell.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateOct 22, 2012
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

RUB researchers clarify catalysis mechanism of cell growth protein Ras

Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum use infrared spectroscopy and computer simulations to study the Ras protein's role in cell growth. They found that Ras accelerates the cleavage of GTP by putting a phosphate chain under tension, which slows down cell growth.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2012

SFU duo's protein discovery links to cancer research

Researchers at Simon Fraser University have identified a key protein kinase, Hipk, that regulates the growth-promoting protein Yorkie, which is often found in human tumors. The study suggests that inhibiting Hipk activity may prevent tumor growth and cancer.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 26, 2012

Study questions safety and effectiveness of common kidney disease drugs

A recent study has questioned the safety and effectiveness of commonly prescribed kidney disease drugs, which may cause unexpected harm to blood vessels. The study found that these drugs did not substantially reduce serum phosphorus levels and may be associated with cardiovascular problems in patients with chronic kidney disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 19, 2012

Helping pigs to digest phosphorus

A study by the University of Illinois discovered that supplementing pig feed with varying levels of phytase increases phosphorus digestibility in different ingredients. The research found that enzymes can unlock bound phosphorus, reducing environmental impact and costs for producers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateJul 17, 2012
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Stop and go

A new protein called Lem4 has been discovered to direct a crucial step in cell division by preventing the addition of phosphate tags to BAF while promoting their removal. This process is essential for cellular growth and division, and its regulation may be key to understanding various cellular processes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell·DateJul 6, 2012

Study dusts sugar coating off little-known regulation in cells

Researchers have increased knowledge of the O-GlcNAc regulatory system, a little-known mechanism that regulates proteins in cells. The study found hundreds of proteins modified by O-GlcNAc, which suggests a larger coordination between the O-GlcNAc and phosphate-based regulatory systems.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2012

'Bacterial shock' to recapture essential phosphate

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a biotechnological route to remove and recycle phosphate from wastewater. The team has discovered a physiological 'shock' treatment that significantly increases microbial uptake of phosphorus and its accumulation inside cells.

SourceMicrobiology Society·DateMar 26, 2012

How cells brace themselves for starvation

A new study reveals that cells employ a dual-pump mechanism to maintain optimal nutrient levels, allowing for efficient preparation for starvation and rapid recovery afterwards. This regulatory system enables the cell to deal with fluctuations in nutrient supply, offering crucial survival advantages.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateFeb 23, 2012

Lead levels in drinking water spike when copper and lead pipes joined

A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that joining old lead pipes with new copper lines using brass fittings increases the amount of lead released into drinking water supplies due to galvanic corrosion. This can make the problem worse for safety-minded, lead-pipe-removal programs at water utilities across the country.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateDec 15, 2011
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.

Kidney drugs hampered by high blood phosphate

Chronic kidney disease patients with high blood phosphate levels may be at risk of progressing to kidney failure faster. Lowering phosphate levels could help optimize the effectiveness of important kidney medications like ramipril.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 18, 2011

Phosphate sorption characteristics of European alpine soils

Researchers found that European alpine soils generally retain similar amounts of phosphate, ranging from 9-145 mmol kg-1, with aluminum oxide concentration being the key factor. Acidified soils retain more phosphate than non-acidified ones.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateJun 14, 2011

Fungi reduce need for fertilizer in agriculture

Mycorrhizal fungi can increase plant growth with less phosphate fertilizer, solving a pressing challenge for global food production. Researchers have discovered that using mycorrhizal fungus gel can produce the same yield as traditional farming with up to half less phosphate fertilizer.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateMay 23, 2011
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.

Answers to a rare and tragic form of epilepsy

A new study reveals that glycogen synthase mistakenly incorporates phosphate molecules into glycogen, leading to the accumulation of 'wrecked' glucose in neurons and the formation of deposits called Lafora bodies. This discovery may lead to a viable therapeutic intervention for Lafora disease, which has no current effective treatment.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 1, 2011

Nailing down a crucial plant signaling system

Researchers fill in a missing gap in the mechanism of how brassinosteroids cause plant genes to be expressed, with implications for agricultural science and evolutionary research. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is identified as the key component of the signaling pathway.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 23, 2011

Cutting dietary phosphate doesn't save dialysis patients' lives

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that restricting dietary phosphate does not improve survival rates among hemodialysis patients. In fact, patients with more liberal phosphate restrictions were 27% less likely to die than those on restrictive diets.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 9, 2010
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.

Wax, soap clean up obstacles to better batteries

Researchers at PNNL developed a simple one-step method to create high-capacity lithium manganese phosphate electrodes using paraffin wax and soap. The new process enables the exploration of cheaper alternatives to current lithium-ion-metal oxide batteries, with potential applications in electric vehicles and consumer electronics.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 12, 2010

Scientists design new delivery device for gene therapy

Researchers create nanoparticle that effectively delivers genetic material into cells, outperforming existing methods. The device, a vector, is between 2 ½ and 10 times more effective than other experimental materials, according to the research.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateJul 6, 2010

With fungi on their side, rice plants grow to be big

Researchers found that manipulating fungal genetics increases rice growth by five-fold, addressing global phosphate reserves critically low issues. The breakthrough exploits the fungus's genetic variation and segregation processes without introducing new genes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 10, 2010
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

High dietary phosphate intake may promote skin cancer formation

Research at Emory University School of Medicine found that high phosphate diet promotes tumor formation and growth in skin cancer, while restricting phosphate may prevent cancer. The study suggests that altered levels of phosphate could tip the balance of chemical reactions influencing cancer development.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateMar 23, 2010

Sweet! -- sugar plays key role in cell division

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that sugar-based protein modification called O-GlcNAcylation regulates cell division. Disrupting this process can lead to polyploidy, a condition exhibited by many cancer cells. The findings have implications for new treatments for diseases like cancer.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Signaling·DateFeb 5, 2010

Green energy management

Researchers identified a phosphatase enzyme that removes phosphate from LHCII proteins, allowing for the balance of light energy between two photosystems. This discovery has practical implications for improving plant growth and potentially reducing energy bills.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 27, 2010

Oral sodium phosphate laxative inducing hyperphosphatemia relates with weight?

A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that oral sodium phosphate (OSP) laxatives can induce hyperphosphatemia in low-risk patients, particularly those with lower weights. The research suggests that preoperative evaluation and adjusting OSP doses according to weight may help prevent this condition.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJan 15, 2010
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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