science on localnews page 93

Enkephalins are like the brain's own painkillers. They help with pain relief, reward, and dealing with stress. But tracking them in real-time has been tough because they appear and disappear quickly and are present in tiny amounts. Scientists have come up with a clever way to study these enkephalin

Fighting Germs and Mold: A Smart Coating for Medical Tools

Medical tools can easily get infected by germs and mold. This is a big problem. Scientists have been working on special coatings to stop these infections. But, they often miss the mold part. Now, a new coating is here. It uses two special molecules: sulfobetaine and borneol. Together, they make a st

How Vaccines Are Changing the Game for Cows in Minas Gerais

Over the last decade, the rate of bovine brucellosis vaccines in Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been on the rise. This is big news for cattle farmers and their livestock. Researchers looked at data from 2011 to 2022. They found that certain areas had higher vaccination rates than others. Some areas had l

The Hidden Power of Skin Care Chemicals: How Some Ingredients Work at the Cellular Level

In the world of skin care, some chemicals do more than just sit on the surface. They dive deep into cells and mess with important signals. Three of these chemicals are lawsone, juglone, and plumbagin. They are found in many skin treatments and cosmetics. But how do they really work? Scientists want

Seals' Secret to Deep Dives: Oxygen Over CO2

Ever wondered how seals can swim so deep and for so long without passing out? Scientists wanted to know too. They thought it had something to do with carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the seals' bodies. After all, in humans, high CO2 levels trigger the urge to breathe. But seals don't seem to have this

Lab-Grown Meat: Tastes Like Chicken, But Not Quite

Lab-grown meat is getting better, but it's not quite ready to replace the real thing. Scientists have been working hard to make it taste and feel like traditional meat. They've looked at lots of studies to see how close they've gotten. One big problem is the texture. Lab-grown meat is often softer

How Tiny Magnets Could Change Medical Treatments

Scientists have been exploring the use of tiny magnetic particles mixed with blood to improve heat transfer and potentially revolutionize medical treatments. These nanofluids, specifically Fe3O4/blood and CoFe2O4/blood, are being studied for their ability to enhance thermal conductivity and efficien

How Exercise Affects Your Jumping Power

Ever wondered how different types of workouts impact your ability to jump? Researchers have been looking into this, focusing on how your body responds after exercise that's tough on your energy but not on your muscles. They found that after such workouts, your jumping power might not be as affected

Unlocking the Secrets of ALS: A Closer Look at Brain Cells and Tiny Messengers

ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a tough disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It's a challenge for scientists to understand the molecular pathways involved in ALS and other neurological diseases. In a recent study, researchers took a closer look at two types of

Sacred Scents: How Himalayan Plants Calm the Mind