A new amphipod species thrives at record temperatures in nearby hot spring pools of an ancient Inca city, defying norms for these typically cold-dwelling animals. Unraveling its key adaptations can give clues for the survival of other freshwater creatures in our warming world.

While challenging, research for promising catalysts using effective methods has an immense impact on the environment.

Human activities and the burning of fossil fuels result in carbon emissions, which release significant greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. Achieving carbon neutrality is critical in combating the climate crisis. Dr Bolong HUANG, Associate Professor of Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is dedicated to research in catalysis for the development of new catalyst materials that support sustainable energy supply and conversion technologies, aligning with the global vision of protecting the environment.

A team of A*STAR scientists has made a significant breakthrough in understanding how Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) is processed by the human body.

Researchers at Concordia have developed a new system using tiny nanosensors called carbon dots to detect the presence of the widely used chemical glyphosate. The researchers employed a ratiometric self-referencing assay to determine glyphosate levels in a solution. The red fluorescence emitted by the carbon dots when exposed to varying concentrations of the chemical and different pH levels is compared with a control in which no glyphosate is present. In all the tests, the blue fluorescence remained unchanged, giving the researchers a common reference point across the different tests. They observed that higher levels of glyphosate quenched the red fluorescence, which they accredited to the interaction of the pesticide with the carbon dots’ surface.

By monitoring the calls of spider monkeys, researchers have shown what level of human activity they will tolerate, helping guide conservation.

Excavations by a University of Kansas paleontologist working in a treasure trove of fossils called the “Spence Shale Lagerstätte” have revealed an ancient sea worm unknown to science until now.

Researchers from A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) and National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) have discovered how the loss of a gene, PBRM1, can lead to the development of kidney cancer. When the gene PBRM1 is inactive, it results in the formation of abnormal protein complexes that activate a cancer-causing pathway called NF-κB. These complexes redistribute proteins throughout the genome, leading to heightened NF-κB activity and the expression of genes that promote cancer cell growth.