Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Review details photocatalyst–biocatalyst systems for semi-artificial photosynthesis

Strategic angle: A new review from Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) summarizes the biocatalysts involved in semi-artificial photosynthesis, an exciting research field that combines natural photosynthesis with artificial technology to

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Global warming may be a boon for this aggressive prairie plant

Strategic angle: Climate change may reduce yields of crops like corn and soybeans, but it can also give some plants an edge. That's one of the takeaways of a recent study of tall goldenrod, a common wildflower that runs rampant in fields

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Water-repelling surfaces reveal surprising charging effects

Strategic angle: Materials that repel water are used in countless applications, including industrial separation processes, routine laboratory pipetting, and medical devices. When water touches these surfaces, the interface where they mee

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

If life exists in Venus's atmosphere, it could have come from Earth

Strategic angle: The theory of panspermia holds that life is spread through the cosmos via asteroids, comets, and other objects. When the building blocks of life emerge on one planet, impacts can eject surface material into space, which

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Improving air temperature forecasts one to five weeks in advance without new model simulations

Strategic angle: Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo and George Mason University's College of Science have developed a new method that enhances air temperature forecasts.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

A nanoparticle therapy to treat lung cancer and associated muscle wasting at the same time

Strategic angle: Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a technique for simultaneously treating lung cancer and a serious muscle-wasting condition that often accompanies it.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Advancing synthetic cells: A more flexible system to replicate cellular functions

Strategic angle: Creating artificial systems that mimic the functioning of cells is a key goal of synthetic biology.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Dual-drug nanotherapy crosses blood–brain barrier, improving survival in preclinical glioblastoma models

Strategic angle: Mayo Clinic researchers developed an experimental nanotherapy that delivers two cancer drugs directly to brain tumors, extending survival in preclinical models.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Fluorescence Imaging Technique Reveals Hidden Magnetic Chemistry in Living Systems

Strategic angle: A groundbreaking microscopy platform developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo uncovers a new layer of biomolecular chemistry associated with weak magnetic fields.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Experiments Refute Dark Matter Claim

Strategic angle: Recent research challenges long-held beliefs about dark matter, providing new insights into the universe's composition.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Cell 'snowball' may be answer to large-scale tissue engineering

Strategic angle: Researchers explore the potential of cell spheroids for advancing biological growth and drug testing.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

California county records sixth person bitten by rattlesnake in under a month

Strategic angle: Two fatalities reported in southern California so far, with warmer spring bringing reptiles out on trails earlier.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

New plan aims to track microplastics in U.S. drinking water, EPA says

Strategic angle: U.S. officials are taking a closer look at what's in America's drinking water, including microplastics and leftover medications.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

'Switch' behind flash drought in Puerto Rico uncovered

Strategic angle: A rapid onset of drought in Puerto Rico poses challenges for producers and communities.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Mechanical inputs boost diamond quantum sensor states as Q factor tops one million

Strategic angle: UC Santa Barbara physicist Ania Bleszynski Jayich explores the potential of diamonds in quantum sensors.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Bacteria are weaving forever chemicals directly into their cell membranes, study finds

Strategic angle: New research reveals how bacteria incorporate persistent pollutants into their biology.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Q&A: What drives the rise in red tides that threaten human health?

Strategic angle: Exploring the factors contributing to harmful algal blooms and their impact on public health.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Pharma companies and patient groups seek to exempt orphan drugs from Colorado pricing limits

Strategic angle: A bill is moving through the Colorado legislature that would exempt orphan drugs from pricing caps that might be pursued by the state.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

Analysis finds geometric thinking may come from wandering, not a human-only math module

Strategic angle: A new analysis challenges the notion that only humans have the foundations of geometric understanding.

editorial-staff Apr 6

Life

How to eat an elephant: Fossil find in Tanzania shows oldest signs of butchering these giant mammals

Strategic angle: Discover the prehistoric practices of butchering giant elephants in Tanzania, revealing insights into early human behavior.

editorial-staff Apr 6