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A team of chemical, industrial and biotechnical engineers affiliated with several institutions in China has developed a dual-reactor system that can be used to convert CO2 to a consumable single-cell protein. In their paper published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, the group describes how they designed, built and tested their dual reactor system and its possible uses.

Scientists note two major impediments to the continued practical existence of mankind: climate change and food production. In this new effort, the team in China developed a dual-reactor system that tackles both problems at once—it uses carbon dioxide in the air to produce a type of that can be consumed as food.

The new system has two stages. The first uses microbial electrosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into acetate, which then serves as an intermediary. The second stage involves feeding the acetate produced in the first stage into a reactor, where it is mixed with aerobic bacteria, which uses the acetate to produce a single-cell protein.

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Scientists from Delft, Vienna, and Lausanne discovered that the protein machines that shape our DNA can switch direction. Until now, researchers believed that these so-called SMC motors that make loops into DNA could move in one direction only. The discovery, which is published in Cell, is key to understanding how these motors shape our genome and regulate our genes.

“Sometimes, a cell needs to be quick in changing which genes should be expressed and which ones should be turned off, for example in response to food, alcohol or heat. To turn genes off and on, cells use Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) motors that act like switches to connect different parts of DNA,” first author Roman Barth explains.

“However, SMC machines don’t naturally know which parts to connect. They simply load somewhere on the DNA and start shaping it into a loop until they reach a point where they are forced to stop. That’s why they rely heavily on the ability to explore both sides of the DNA to find the right stop signs.”

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Dan dennet real patterns.

As I’m waiting for the tests and results from my oncologist, my employer has decided to put me on a medical leave of absence as they say they can’t accommodate me any longer. As a result, I only get limited pay. Please help me so that I can pay some bills so that I can keep a roof over my head and some food in the fridge. Please reach out if you have any questions.

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Explore the latest breakthroughs in nuclear fusion technology and their potential global impacts.

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Continue reading “Nuclear Fusion: Updates & Impacts” | >

Researchers have discovered a biological mechanism that makes plant roots more welcoming to beneficial soil microbes. This discovery by John Innes Centre researchers paves the way for more environmentally friendly farming practices, potentially allowing farmers to use less fertilizer.

Production of most major crops relies on nitrate and phosphate fertilizers, but excessive fertilizer use harms the environment. If we could use mutually beneficial relationships between and soil microbes to enhance , then we could potentially reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers.

Researchers in the group of Dr. Myriam Charpentier discovered a mutation in a gene in the legume Medicago truncatula that reprograms the signaling capacity of the plant so that it enhances partnerships with nitrogen fixing bacteria called rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) which supply roots with phosphorus.

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Brain scans show fasting literally rewires your brain:

Brain scans of participants in a recent study showed changes in brain areas that regulate appetite and addiction, including the inferior frontal orbital gyrus. At the same time, tests of stool samples and blood showed changes in the gut bacteria, especially with types called Coprococcus comes and Eubacterium hallii.

The research was published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

The team emphasizes that, not only did the participants lose weight, averaging 7.6 kilograms (16.8 pounds), but there were also noticeable changes in the composition of their gut bacteria, and additional changes in brain regions.

These changes were linked to less activity in a part of the brain called the left inferior frontal orbital gyrus, which helps control food intake. During intermittent fasting, certain beneficial gut bacteria may become more prevalent, producing compounds that influence brain activity related to food intake and impulse control.

Continue reading “Slimming significantly alters your microbiome and brain activity” | >

Japan-based Kirin Holdings has showcased its new electric spoon at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025) in Las Vegas.

What makes it different from any other ordinary spoon in the market is that it can make the food seem saltier, and by that, it also means tastier.

As per Kirin, the device uses electricity to raise the saltiness and umami in low-sodium foods.

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What it eats: The carcasses of dead animals.

Why it’s awesome: These scavenger birds have an unexpected way of keeping predators away — by projectile vomiting stomach acid and semi-digested meat at their attackers.

Turkey vultures live in a range of habitats, including subtropical forests, shrublands and deserts. They have bald heads so that when they feast on carcasses, blood and guts don’t get trapped in their feathers.

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Are you curious to learn more about the most diverse organisms on Earth? When it comes to fungi, there are three things you need to remember: they’re big and incredibly old, and some of them can turn ants into zombies!

To say that they’re the most popular kingdom on the planet would be an understatement. There are an estimated 3.8 million fungi all over the world, and yet, over 90% of them are currently unknown to science.

Moreover, you might be shocked to learn that the mushroom kingdom can be quite animalistic. After all, they breathe like us, and some of them even eat flesh. But there’s so much more to know, so let’s dive together into the complex world of fungi!

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