University of Illinois

An intriguing new study has zeroed in on a brain region that is central to the development of both alcohol abuse and anxiety in adults, and demonstrated how gene editing could be used to wipe clean a person's predisposition to both disorders.

Scientists have created new artificial microbes by combining two very different organisms into one functioning entity. The hybrid of a yeast and a bacterium adds evidence to a long-standing hypothesis on how advanced life may have evolved.

As with most things, nature’s data storage system, DNA, far surpasses anything we’ve created. Now, researchers have doubled its already incredible storage capacity by adding extra letters to its “alphabet,” and developed a new way to read it back.

Heightened tissue growth can result when cells come under tension, and a new study on cancer cells has pinpointed the biological mechanism that drives this process, which the authors believe can be targeted to prevent tumor development.

"Artificial leaf" systems could play a key role in the fight against climate change, and a team of engineers has just picked up the pace with a solution that captures carbon dioxide at 100 times the rate of current technologies.

Researchers have created a new alloy made up of not two, but five different metals, and put it to work as a catalyst. The 2D material was able to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, potentially helping to turn the greenhouse gas into fuels.

Bacterial infections of the middle ear are quite common, particularly in children, yet they can be difficult to treat. An experimental new device has been designed to help, by zapping the bacteria with plasma.

A striking new study has found gene expression can dramatically increase in some brain cells hours after a person dies. The researchers suggest scientists studying post-mortem brain tissue must take into account these significant changes in future work.

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have found a catalyst that allows the methane in natural gas to be converted into methanol at room temperature, providing a far less energy-intensive option than current solutions.

While thin sheets of lab-grown biological tissue do show promise for applications such as the treatment of wounds, picking those delicate sheets up can be very difficult. That's where a new octopus-inspired gripper is designed to come in.

A new study has identified a complex relationship between disturbed sleep patterns, elevated blood pressure, and disruptions to the gut microbiome. The findings could point to novel treatments to mitigate the negative health effects of poor sleep.

Although cavities are caused by bacteria, simply killing all of the bacteria in the mouth isn't a good idea, as some of them have beneficial effects. A nanoparticle coating, however, could someday prevent cavities without harming bacteria.