Life Sciences News & Analysis

Biosensor Monitors, Regulates Bloodstream Drug Levels

A drug delivery tool promises to provide accurate dosing of life-saving agents.

Using AI to Discover the Drugs of Tomorrow

Advances in computer modeling could lead to quicker development of promising drug therapies.

Producing Fertilizer...From Air

A reactor, which converts nitrogen from the atmosphere into NOx (raw material for fertilizer), is thought to make the process of producing the raw materials five times more efficient than existing processes, with current methods of production resulting in about two percent of global CO2 emissions.

Coatings for Nuclear Fuel Preventing Explosions in Reactors

In an effort to reduce hydrogenation of containers where nuclear fuel is stored and to protect reactors from a Fukushima-like radiation disaster, physicists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing protective titanium nitride-based coatings for shells of fuel elements (fuel rods) of nuclear reactors.

Applying Data Science to Better Predict Effect of Weather and Other Conditions on Solar Panels

In an effort to extend the life of solar panels, researchers from Case Western Reserve University and Gebze Technical University (GTU) in Turkey are employing data science to understand what effect weather exposure and other conditions have on the materials that create solar panels.

Primitive Atmosphere Found Around 'Warm Neptune'

A new study challenges some long-held assumptions about planetary formation.

Engineering Empathy in Health Professionals

Interaction with virtual humans can improve the communication skills of healthcare professionals.

Frequent Flyers May Soon Be Exposed to Increased Radiation

Racking up those frequent flyer miles? Here is something else you may rack up in the next few years if you are a frequent flyer: increased risk exposure to radiation particles from space due to the decreasing activity of the sun.

New 3-D Printing Method Promises Improved Medical Implants

Researchers at the University of Florida, using 3-D printing technology, are improving the timeliness of implanting medical devices.

Mobile Device Measures Air Quality

Want to know if it is safe to breathe? In an attempt to answer that question, researchers at UCLA have developed an inexpensive mobile device that accurately measures air quality.

Smart Windows Reduce Energy Consumption

Smart reflective windows that allow sunlight through during the cold winter months and that act like blinds in the hot summer months could reduce the energy consumption for heating and cooling structures by 12 percent.

Breakthrough Makes It Easier to Turn Used Coffee Grounds Into Cleaner Biofuels

Although not many companies are converting used coffee grounds into biofuels, researchers at Lancaster University hope to increase that number with significant improvements to the process, ultimately reducing our reliance on diesel from fossil fuels.

Device Speeds Up Food Inspections

The food industry stands to save billions of dollars in storage costs with the commercialization of a device that detects bacteria and contaminants in food in significantly less time than traditional methods.

Tips for Preventing Preventable Hearing Loss

Hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to music or a noisy work environment can be gradual with the first signs being missed background noises (a squeaking door, the ticking of a clock) to affected conversations.

Ductless Fume Hoods: A Versatile Solution for Laboratory Processing

Whether designing a new laboratory or updating an existing one, laboratory managers need to consider safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness when deciding on a fume hood design.

Baker's Yeast is the New Penicillin

Biologists at Imperial College London have found a new way to produce penicillin. They have re-engineered yeast cells to produce nonribosomal peptide antibiotic penicillin, which helps fight against bacterial diseases. This yeast was shown to have antibacterial properties against streptococcus bacteria in laboratory experiments.

Life Sciences