New Atlas

Science Audio available

Promising new insight into how coffee compounds can inhibit prostate cancer

Rich Haridy March 17, 2019

A study has homed in on compounds in coffee that may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer. The research has only been shown in animal models at this point but the discovery may explain why several observational studies found male coffee drinkers often suffer from lower rates of prostate cancer.

Two compounds found in coffee may slow the growth of prostate cancers

Science

Yeast engineered to cheaply produce marijuana cannabinoids

Rich Haridy February 28, 2019

In an exciting new breakthrough from scientists at UC Berkeley, common brewer’s yeast has been engineered to produce several major cannabinoids found in marijuana. This innovation promises faster, cheaper and easier production of these compounds for use in research and medical treatments.

The new method allows for cheaper and faster production of medical-grade cannabinoids in large quantities

Environment Audio available

Promising sugar-based natural herbicide targets same pathway as glyphosate

Rich Haridy February 4, 2019

A team of scientists from Germany’s University of Tübingen has discovered a novel and unusual sugar molecule that shows great potential as a natural herbicide. It is harmless to animals and humans but can effectively disrupt the growth of various plants and microorganisms.

The newly discovered natural molecule could be as effective as Roundup but potentially safe and non-toxic ...

Science

Ancient enzymes resurrected to take the heat and make better biocatalysts

Michael Irving October 22, 2018

Researchers at the University of Queensland have looked to the past to help with the future of biochemistry, resurrecting enzymes from almost half a billion years ago to fill in where current ones can’t.

Australian researchers have revived 450-million-year-old enzymes to be better catalysts for chemistry

Health & Wellbeing

Controversial antibacterial ingredient now linked to inflammation and cancer

Rich Haridy May 30, 2018

A new study has reignited the long-standing controversy of the safety of triclosan, an antibacterial compound found in scores of household products. The research, at this stage only verified in mice, found the chemical increases inflammation in the colon and reduces the diversity of gut flora.

Triclosan, a common ingredient in toothpaste, has recently been found to promote inflammation and cancer in ...

Science

How postbiotics and smart toilets could be the future of gut bacteria treatment

Rich Haridy May 29, 2018

New research from King’s College London has set out to produce a comprehensive database of the various compounds produced by the enormous array of bacteria that resides in our gut. These compounds, called postbiotics, could potentially then be synthesized and used as medications.

Postbiotics offer a new approach in monitoring and manipulating our gut microbiome

Environment

Europe-wide pesticide ban to give bees a chance

Nick Lavars April 30, 2018

Neonicotinoids are bad news for bees and we've known it for a while. But the situation regarding bee populations and the world's most widely used pesticide has now become so dire that the EU has placed a complete ban on their outdoor use, and it's expected to take effect by the end of the year.

EU member states have voted in favor of a complete ban on the outdoor use of ...

Biology

How "out of body experiences" help proteins neutralize chemical agents

Michael Irving March 20, 2018

Proteins are the workhorses of biology, but they’re too sensitive to be useful in the outside world. Now, a team from UC Berkeley has found a way to keep them alive and functioning in a synthetic environment, and used them to make mats that can break down toxic chemicals.

Environment

NASA satellite shows direct evidence of ozone hole recovery

Michael Irving January 7, 2018

It’s long been known that the hole in the ozone layer is shrinking, but a new study has provided greater insight into the improving health of the ozone layer by analyzing the chemicals around the hole over the last decade or so.

A new study has found chemical evidence that the hole in the ozone layer is healing

Biology

Engineered bacteria learn to bond boron and carbon for the first time

Michael Irving November 30, 2017

A Caltech team has bred bacteria that can make boron-carbon bonds, which were previously only possible in the lab. That ability opens up the range of chemical compounds that bacteria could create, paving the way for easier and more environmentally-friendly production of drugs and other chemicals.

The molecular structure of an engineered enzyme that allows bacteria to build compounds containing boron-carbon bonds, ...