Surprise plant cell discovery unlocks human anti-aging potential

Scientists have discovered a new contender in the quest to hack the human aging process, and it’s a little-studied protein within a cell structure that also doesn’t get a lot of airtime in research despite being one of the first organelles identified m… Continue reading Surprise plant cell discovery unlocks human anti-aging potential

Hydrogen and UV breaks down toxic PFAS “forever” chemicals in water

PFAS are among the most insidious pollutants, thanks to their ubiquity, their long life and their growing list of linked health concerns. But now researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed a new method to break them down more… Continue reading Hydrogen and UV breaks down toxic PFAS “forever” chemicals in water

Earth’s earliest mass extinction uncovered in fossil record

Scientists believe that the Earth is currently in the midst of its sixth major extinction event, but a new study suggests that’s not the case – it may actually be the seventh. Scientists have found evidence of a previously unknown mass extinction event… Continue reading Earth’s earliest mass extinction uncovered in fossil record

Scientists identify hair loss regulator protein, could be reversible

Researchers at the University of California Riverside (UC Riverside) have identified a single protein that seems to control when hair follicles die. Armed with this new information, it might eventually be possible to reverse the process and stimulate h… Continue reading Scientists identify hair loss regulator protein, could be reversible

“Aspirin” for plants could help crops survive climate change

Much like we take aspirin to alleviate a splitting headache, plants also have their own form of medicine that helps in times of stress. Known as salicylic acid, this organic compound is naturally produced when plants encounter things like drought and h… Continue reading “Aspirin” for plants could help crops survive climate change

Artificial photosynthesis lets plants grow efficiently in total darkness

Scientists have improved on the natural process of photosynthesis, not only growing plants more efficiently, but doing so in the dark. This could expand agriculture to areas that don’t get enough sunlight, and even help feed future space explorers.Cont… Continue reading Artificial photosynthesis lets plants grow efficiently in total darkness

Upping certain gut bacteria may increase motivation to exercise

As our understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and human health continues to build, research has illuminated the direct benefits that exercise can bring to the bacteria in our bellies. But some scientists have been wondering if the… Continue reading Upping certain gut bacteria may increase motivation to exercise

New treatment breaks down toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in hours

Earning themselves the moniker of “forever chemicals” due to their ability to persist for a long time in the environment, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly being shown to pose serious risks to human health. In light … Continue reading New treatment breaks down toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in hours

Collapsing dark matter halos could seed supermassive black holes

Supermassive black holes are thought to grow slowly, as they pull in matter from around them over billions of years. But if that’s the case, how did they appear so early in the universe’s lifetime? Now, researchers have proposed a new origin story for … Continue reading Collapsing dark matter halos could seed supermassive black holes

Simple catalyst could clean contaminated water on Earth and soil on Mars

As if Matt Damon’s character in The Martian didn’t have enough to worry about already, his Red Planet potatoes could be contaminated with perchlorates. But new research led by the University of California Riverside has identified a relatively simple ca… Continue reading Simple catalyst could clean contaminated water on Earth and soil on Mars