Category Archives: Science

Accelerating research into dark energy

A quick method for making accurate, virtual universes to help understand the effects of dark matter and dark energy has been developed by UCL and CEFCA scientists. Making up 95% of our universe, these substances have profound effects on the birth and lives of galaxies and stars and yet almost nothing is known about their physical nature. (more…)

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Wie bleibt genetisches Material während der Fortpflanzung intakt?

MolekularbiologInnen erforschen Prozesse beim Ausschneiden und Einfügen von DNA

Eltern vererben ihre genetische Information in Form von Chromosomen. Diese sind jedoch nicht einfache Kopien, sondern ein Mosaik aus den beiden Chromosomenkopien, die sie selbst erhalten haben. Die Herstellung dieser Mosaike erfolgt durch einen Prozess des Ausschneidens und Einfügens von Chromosomenstücken. Wie solche Schnitte – auch Brüche genannt – in unserem genetischen Material repariert werden, untersuchen Verena Jantsch und ihr Team an den Max F. Perutz Laboratories der Universität Wien und der Medizinischen Universität Wien. Ihre Ergebnisse geben wichtige Einblicke in die Prozesse, die sicherstellen, dass unser genetisches Material intakt bleibt und so genetische Krankheiten und Krebsentstehung verhindern.

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Tackling complex concepts with his students, Jonathan Ellman brings ‘joy’ to the process of discovery

In nominating Jonathan Ellman for the Dylan Hixon ’88 Prize for Teaching Excellence in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, at least two of his students use the word “joy” to describe their experience with their teacher. Said one: “While the subject matter is certainly challenging, Professor Ellman’s organized teaching style made learning organic chemistry a joy.” Another said, “Interacting with him is always a joy. I sometimes feel as if there is nothing that he cannot explain.” Ellman says he hopes to impart the idea that no matter how difficult it may be to solve a problem, there is both pleasure in and value to the process, even when one is tempted to give up. (more…)

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It’s time for the Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes to step down

That will be a respectful decision. Believe me.

I was always wondering about Elizabeth Holmes, and admiration, of course, I had for all what she achieved through her work: a blood-testing technology which is fast and comfortable than the tradional long-needle, founding of Theranos, then a rank in Forbes list. All within 30. That’s marvellous. A big woooow. Itelligent, hard- working and ambitious. And of course, very gifted and lucky. That’s how all my thoughts swirled around the founder of Theranos. (more…)

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Berkeley Lab Scientists Brew Jet Fuel in One-Pot Recipe

JBEI researchers use engineered bacteria to simplify biofuels production, potentially lowering cost

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have engineered a strain of bacteria that enables a “one-pot” method for producing advanced biofuels from a slurry of pre-treated plant material. (more…)

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Biologische Schädlings­bekämpfung

Der Maikäfer macht der Landwirtschaft oft schwer zu schaffen. Hermann Strasser vom Institut für Mikrobiologie bekämpft den Schädling mit einem ganz speziellen Pilz, der Melocont-Pilzgerste, die in den Boden ausgebracht werden kann. Die nachhaltige Bekämpfung des Schädlings wird vom Land Tirol gefördert. *Source: Universität Innsbruck    

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