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Proteins are synthesized through two processes involving DNA: transcription, which converts DNA into mRNA; and translation, where ribosomes read the mRNA and sequentially link amino acids to form proteins. This image illustrates the translation process accelerated to produce proteins more efficiently. [Teruyo Ojima-Kato] Microbial protein production plays a central role in biomanufacturing, supporting the development of pharmaceuticals, industrial enzymes, diagnostic antibodies, and sustainable materials such as biofuels and bioplastics. Organisms like Escherichia coli are widely used in these processes due to their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. As demand grows for scalable and environmentally responsible production methods, improving the efficiency of microbial…

Even short periods in high-altitude conditions can result in hypoxia.Image credit:© iStock, JoyfulThailandThe human body hates not getting enough oxygen. Without it, confusion takes over, breathing and heart rate change, and skin turns blue. It turns out that the immune system feels the effects of not enough oxygen too. In a new study, researchers have shown that hypoxia also has long-term effects on successive generations of immune cells called neutrophils, which may impair the bodies’ ability to battle infection.1Hypoxia Affects NeutrophilsSeveral serious medical conditions can result in hypoxia. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening illness that occurs when…

I already have my Christmas tree up, mainly for the vibes. There’s something about the magic the glimmering light provides that the broomsticks of fall and the florals of summer can’t offer. I feel similarly about Advent calendars: A secret little surprise I get to open every day?  Nothing ruins the whimsy more than having your sights set on a particular calendar only for it to sell out before you even have so much as a thought of Christmas. That’s not going to happen on my watch. Today, I have put together a list of all the incredible options you…

AbstractObjective To evaluate the effect of prophylactic antibiotics on the risk of wound complications after episiotomy or second degree tear.Design Single centre, double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial.Setting One university hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark. Participants were enrolled between March and December 2023. All initial clinical consultations were conducted between March 2023 and January 2024, and all long term follow-up consultations were conducted between March and November 2024. This article reports only data from the first consultation.Participants 442 women with episiotomies or second degree tears were consecutively recruited at delivery. Exclusion criteria included treatment allergy (or risk of…

Credit: Raycat/Getty Images Australian researchers have identified the coagulation factor II receptor (F2R) as a promising new prognostic biomarker and treatment target for ovarian cancer that may allow physicians to more accurately predict treatment responses and personalize therapies to improve outcomes. Lead researcher Hugo Albrecht, PhD, from the Centre of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of South Australia in Adelaide, said the finding marks “a significant step forward” in the study of ovarian cancer, for which there is an urgent clinical need for effective treatment options and improved diagnostic and prognostic technologies. “Current biomarkers lack sensitivity and accuracy, leaving clinicians…

The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) can live for more than 200 years, thanks in part to a highly effective DNA-repair protein.Credit: Tony Wu/Nature Picture LibraryEncased in a blanket of blubber that is nearly half a metre thick, and with a habit of smashing head-first through Arctic ice, the 80,000-kilogram bowhead whale does not, at first glance, seem a natural poster child for health and longevity.What’s the secret to living to 100? Centenarian stem cells could offer cluesBut one of the cetacean’s most impressive stats turns out to be its lifespan: sometimes living for more than 200 years, the bowhead whale…

Raise your hand (or, erm, maybe don’t) if you’ve ever gotten a ripe whiff of your armpits in the middle of the day and wondered, what the hell is going on under there? Well, you can likely blame your deodorant not working. That’s right—dermatologists say it’s fully possible for your favorite old-faithful D.O. to betray you, even after years of use.If that makes you feel personally victimized by the tube of antiperspirant sitting on your bathroom counter, it’s time to get down to business and figure out exactly what shattered the unbreakable bond you once shared. Keep reading for dermatologist…

Plant-level pathway design modelThis study developed a plant-level net-zero pathway model for the steel sector, called NZP-steel, to identify cost-effective technology pathways for each plant worldwide. The model integrates bottom-up modules built on plant-level datasets with top-down constraints, including national carbon-neutrality targets, rising steel demand and limited scrap supply.The model consists of six modules (Extended Data Fig. 1). Three bottom-up modules are used to: (1) compile two plant-level industry datasets (yellow box), (2) calculate carbon emissions by plant and technology (blue box), and (3) estimate dynamic costs of decarbonization technologies (pink box). The algorithms for these modules are described below.…

Amaranth is a whole grain with a nutty flavor that works in sweet and savory dishes. It is packed with protein and fiber, contains magnesium and iron and is gluten-free. Try adding amaranth to a salad, energy bites, porridge or as a thickener for soups and stews. If this is the first you’ve heard of amaranth, you may be surprised to learn that it has been around for thousands of years. Native to the Americas, amaranth was cultivated and consumed by the Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations. Like quinoa, this ancient whole grain is often classified as a “pseudocereal” because…

One in three NHS consultant posts in some parts of the UK are lying vacant, with vacancies taking a year to fill, an investigation by BMJ Careers finds.Consequently, the NHS spent more than £670m on locums in 2024-25 to fill these consultant gaps, the report found.1 The investigation also discovered that despite government efforts to reduce spending, some NHS organisations were allocating large sums for locum cover to fill ongoing consultant vacancies.Data obtained under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show that across 154 NHS trusts and health boards in England, Scotland, and Wales that provided details of locum costs,…