Science

MIT system assigns unwanted tree forks to use in load-bearing structures

Wood is becoming an increasingly popular building material, but the timber is harvested mainly just from the long, straight trunks of trees. Aiming to reduce waste, an MIT team has developed a method of also using a tree's load-bearing junctions.

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Repairing cell structures altered by obesity restores metabolic function

Harvard scientists studying the molecular structure of cells under obesity-related stress have spotted alterations in the architecture that can be patched up, with "striking" results that restore them to healthy metabolic function.

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Spider silk ups the potency of cancer-fighting “guardian” protein

Scientists exploring the potential of spider silk in next-generation cancer therapies have found yet another use for the natural material, using it to stabilize and enhance a cancer-killing protein known as the "guardian of the genome."

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New shock-absorbing material as strong as metal but light as foam

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new shock-absorbing material that is super lightweight, yet offers the protection of metal. The stuff could make for helmets, armor and vehicle parts that are lighter, stronger and reusable.

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“Mother of stem cells” boast better efficiency when they slow down

Researchers have found that the “mother” of stem cells, known as totipotent stem cells, have a much slower rate of DNA replication, which helps improve their differentiation efficiency. This could lead to major breakthrough for regenerative medicine.

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Microneedles may treat peanut allergies better than anything else

Peanut allergies can be very serious, potentially resulting in life-threatening anaphylaxis. There could be new hope for eliminating such allergies, however, thanks to the use of peanut-packin' microneedles.

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Cylindrical wireless charger juices up devices placed all around it

Ordinarily, wireless chargers emit an electromagnetic field in just one direction, limiting the number of devices they can charge at once. A new charger, however, produces a donut-shaped field, for the simultaneous charging of multiple gadgets.

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Protein tweak makes CRISPR gene editing 4,000 times less error-prone

CRISPR gene-editing is a powerful tool, but unfortunately it can edit the wrong DNA sequences. Now, researchers have identified a previously unknown structure of the protein that drives these mistakes, and tweaked it to reduce off-target mutations.

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Anti-inflammatory molecule could unlock new treatments for severe asthma

Asthma is a very common condition and, while it’s treatable, there’s always a need for new options. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have now found that an inflammatory “off switch” molecule could help treat severe asthma.

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