These liquid nanoparticles deliver mRNA to the brain
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been designed to cross into the brain of mice to deliver mRNA. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania relied on LNPs fitted with special targeting peptides to successfully ferry mRNA into neurons.
Mini-brain organoids sent into space on ISS
Mini-brain organoids sent to space remained healthy until their return one month later but had matured faster than identical organoids on Earth. These surprising results came after the tiny clumps of brain cells were sent to the International Space Station (ISS).
Fighting fatbergs, with science
Engineers have designed a protective coating for concrete pipes that could significantly reduce the formation of ‘fatbergs’ in sewers.
Bacteria helps fix nitrogen from the air in plants
A microbial product that fixes nitrogen from the air for maize crops has been evaluated in field trials in the US. The company, Pivot Bio from Berkeley, California, also investigated the mechanism whereby two of their bacterial strains deliver nitrogen to crops.
Meat alternatives, upsides and downsides
Plant-based meat alternatives could come with an unfavourable health effect, according to a new study. Specifically, vegetarians who reported eating plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) had a 42% increased risk of depression over those who did not.
Advances in the fight against 'bad' cholesterol
Two clinical trials have shown promising results in the fight against ‘bad’ cholesterol, known as lipo-protein(a). Some people are genetically predisposed to have high levels of lipoprotein(a), increasing their risk of heart disease, but at present there is little they can do about it. The results of the two studies mean that two potential therapies can pass into Phase III trials, offering hope to high risk patients.
The technosphere: An overlooked store of carbon that is getting bigger
Most research focuses on carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Now economists have estimated that each year people add around 400m tons of carbon to long-lasting products such as plastics and buildings. Although these products could be considered a carbon sink, proper waste management is essential to prevent them from becoming environmental hazards, they say.
Measuring the impact of chemicals in plastics
US scientists have estimated the impact of removing toxic chemicals from plastics. The group focused on two chemicals with known toxicity that are produced in large quantities – bisphenol A (BPA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). They also looked at brominated flame retardants or PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers). It is known these chemicals may leach from plastics, leading to human exposure from everyday activities.
Letting robots into the lab could speed up science. Here's how
Introducing robots and artificial intelligence (AI) into chemistry labs could help speed up the pace of scientific discovery by allowing experiments to be done faster and more consistently.
This AI can tell if whisky is American or Scotch
Two machine learning algorithms can determine the origin of whisky and outperform experts at assessing a whisky’s strongest aromas, according to new research.