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Why are some cities suddenly seeing more fireflies?

Why are some cities suddenly seeing more fireflies?

Wondering if you're seeing more fireflies lately? We explore the scientific reasons why some U.S. cities are seeing a surprising comeback of these insects.

Mansfield University Team Develops Tools to Detect Microplastics in Living Tissue

Mansfield University Team Develops Tools to Detect Microplastics in Living Tissue

A student-faculty team at Commonwealth University-Mansfield is developing innovative tools to detect and quantify microplastics within living biological tissue. Led by associate professors Elaine Farkas (chemistry and physics) and Kristen Long (biological sciences), and graduate student Jay Diya, the research focuses on isolating microplastics from mammalian tissue without damaging them. Diya is employing gentler enzyme-based methods to digest animal tissue, a departure from harsh chemicals that can destroy plastics. This meticulous process involves fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry to track and count the tiny particles. The project, which began in 2018 with undergraduates Katherine Thompson and Cody McUmber, aims to understand where microplastics accumulate in organisms and their biological effects. McUmber's early work included initial mouse studies and examining liver histology for immune cell changes, laying the groundwork for deeper immunological questions.

N-Power Medicine Secures $32M Series B Funding to Expand Community Oncology Research

N-Power Medicine Secures $32M Series B Funding to Expand Community Oncology Research

N-Power Medicine Secures $32M Series B Funding to Expand Community Oncology Research

Insilico Medicine and Collaborators Identify Novel Alzheimer's Disease Targets Using AI

Insilico Medicine and Collaborators Identify Novel Alzheimer's Disease Targets Using AI

Insilico Medicine, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, has identified new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease. This discovery was made possible through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and rigorous experimental validation. The research focused on the NAD+-mitophagy axis, a pathway crucial for healthy brain aging and neurodegeneration. By analyzing large-scale human data, the team demonstrated that molecular changes in these pathways are present in the early stages of Alzheimer's. The AI-driven target discovery platform, PandaOmics, evaluated over 100 candidate genes involved in NAD+ and mitophagy pathways, prioritizing five potential therapeutic targets: ULK1, OPA1, LAMP2, MFN1, and ATP6V0E1. Preclinical validation in various models, including C. elegans and human Tau-mutant cell lines, confirmed that modulating these target genes directly altered disease pathology. For instance, enhancing mitochondrial fusion via OPA1 activ...

Morgan Lewis Appoints New Life Sciences Transactions Partner in Boston

Morgan Lewis Appoints New Life Sciences Transactions Partner in Boston

Morgan Lewis Appoints New Life Sciences Transactions Partner in Boston

AstraZeneca Expands Oncology Portfolio with Dizal Pharmaceutical Licensing Deal for Lung Cancer Drug

AstraZeneca Expands Oncology Portfolio with Dizal Pharmaceutical Licensing Deal for Lung Cancer Drug

AstraZeneca Expands Oncology Portfolio with Dizal Pharmaceutical Licensing Deal for Lung Cancer Drug

U.S. Companies Advance Sustainable, Bio-Based Material Innovations for Diverse Industries

U.S. Companies Advance Sustainable, Bio-Based Material Innovations for Diverse Industries

U.S. Companies Advance Sustainable, Bio-Based Material Innovations for Diverse Industries

Grand Canyon University Welcomes Record Enrollment and Plans New Colleges

Grand Canyon University Welcomes Record Enrollment and Plans New Colleges

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is experiencing a record-breaking academic year, with approximately 16,000 students moving into on-campus housing and an anticipated total enrollment of 141,000 students. This represents a 6% increase from the previous year. GCU President Brian Mueller noted that the university's growth continues despite disruptions in higher education, attributing it to students and families seeking a different educational experience. The university is also planning to expand its academic offerings by opening a College of Law and a College of Construction and Industrial Technologies. The move-in process for the 24,000 on-campus students is spread over three days, with students arriving from all 50 states. Cooler temperatures during this year's move-in were a welcome change from the previous year's extreme heat.

Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Form Composite Pollution in Landfills

Microplastics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Form Composite Pollution in Landfills

Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are widely coexisting and interacting in landfills, creating a novel form of composite pollution. This interaction is a growing concern, as landfills serve as significant reservoirs for both microplastics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The presence of microplastics in these environments can facilitate the spread and persistence of ARGs, which are genetic elements that enable bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics. Studies have shown that hospital sewage, a common input to landfills, is a hotspot for multidrug-resistant bacteria, exhibiting high resistance rates to common antibiotics like Augmentin, Ampicillin, and Chloramphenicol. The complex environment of landfills, with their diverse microbial communities and chemical compositions, provides conditions conducive to the exchange of genetic material, including ARGs, between bacteria. This phenomenon is exacerbated by factors such as the excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, inappr...

5 invasive species scientists say are spreading to new parts of the U.S.

5 invasive species scientists say are spreading to new parts of the U.S.

From crop-killing insects to disease-carrying ticks, scientists are tracking several invasive species as they expand into new territories across the United States.

New Database Launched to Aid Navigation of Over 2000 Biodiversity Data Systems

New Database Launched to Aid Navigation of Over 2000 Biodiversity Data Systems

Scientists at UNEP-WCMC have developed a new database designed to help users navigate over 2000 online biodiversity portals, platforms, and tools. This initiative addresses the challenge of accessing and utilizing the vast amount of biodiversity data that has emerged over the past two decades. The database includes 698 global, over 200 regional, and 1,400 national online systems. Alongside the database, a new typology called DPSR+B (Drivers, Pressures, State, Responses, and Benefits) has been created to categorize these systems, making it easier for a wide range of users—from conservation experts to corporate sustainability professionals—to find relevant datasets. The goal is to ensure that data are used appropriately and effectively to inform decision-making for protecting ecosystems.

CRISPR-Based Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Sustaining Lower Lipid Levels for a Year

CRISPR-Based Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Sustaining Lower Lipid Levels for a Year

Researchers have reported promising results from a small study involving a one-time CRISPR-based gene therapy shot that helped individuals with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels maintain significantly lower lipid levels for at least a year. Mel Mann, a patient advocate, highlighted this development, noting that the therapy represents a 'different model' compared to traditional treatments. The study, though small and involving severe cases, demonstrated that the highest dose of the CRISPR shot reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides by approximately half, with the effects sustained over the year. This suggests a potential for a durable therapeutic intervention for lipid management through gene editing.