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All cellular life, from single-celled bacteria to towering trees, can trace its origins back to a single forerunner that existed roughly four billion years ago, the last universal common ancestor (LUCA).1 The story of viruses—an infectious collection of genetic material inside a protein or lipid shell—is far less straightforward. Viruses arose in not one but at least seven separate events, each one giving rise to a “realm” of viruses that share a common lineage.2 Scientists have put forward a bevy of theories to explain how each realm came into existence. However, new genome sequencing data is compelling virologists to rework…

Kathy Bates’ pecan pie recipe comes from The Broadway Celebrity Cookbook (1989).The pie uses a premade crust and pantry staples like corn syrup, eggs, and sugar.This pie is ideal for making ahead—its structure holds up beautifully as leftovers. Celebrity chef Katie Lee Biegel recently shared her delicious-looking recipe for brown butter-miso roasted cabbage on her Instagram, and our mouths are still watering. The cozy fall recipe is perfect as a side dish, though Biegel eats her tasty cabbage steak on its own  While this dish looks incredibly dreamy, Biegel doesn’t explain exactly how to make it in her clip. Fortunately,…

When I first tried fried Brussels sprouts at a restaurant in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, I knew instantly that the only way I’d ever eat the leafy vegetable again was if each little bulb was cut, fried and coated in punchy seasonings—in fact, I make it a point to revisit that restaurant every summer for the Brussels sprouts alone. I’m not alone in my love for this dish: When my colleagues interviewed chefs to find the best method for cooking the hearty vegetable, nearly all of the experts said deep-fried. It’s true—magic happens when the leaves of each Brussels sprout…

Credit: fpm/Getty Images Researchers have engineered entirely synthetic viruses that can invade bacteria and could offer new pathways to fight infection. The bacteriophages, described in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), target mycobacteria which are responsible for diseases such as leprosy and tuberculosis (TB). Manipulating the genetic code of these mycobacteriophages by removing undesirable genes and adding helpful genetic payloads could provide new ways of treating antibiotic-resistant infections. By adding or subtracting genes, researchers can understand the genetics of these ancient viruses as never before and tailor their genomes to invade specific bacterial hosts. “If a phage…

Life gets busy, and it can be tempting to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of your day, even when you’re technically off the clock. But keeping yourself in “on” mode for too long after work or school is a recipe for burnout, which can negatively affect both your mental and physical health.[1]If you often find yourself responding to emails or scrolling through your newsfeed right up until bedtime — or if your pre-bed routine isn’t setting you up for good sleep — it might be time for an evening-routine refresh.Creating an evening routine that allows you to disconnect from…

View eBook   A number of blockbuster biologics worth $200 billion in revenue are expected to lose patent exclusivity by 2030 (1), which presents biosimilar manufacturers a huge opportunity for producing drugs at a much lower cost. However, to gain a foothold in the market, biosimilar developers must consider their manufacturing approach in terms of not only speed to market, but manufacturing efficiency and production costs. In fact, the cost of consumables routinely make up a significant portion of the ongoing manufacturing costs for an approved biosimilar. Consumables, such as resins, filters, and media, impact production costs and can increase…

People who are severely obese often have lower levels of the amino acid, glycine, compared to people of healthy weight, as their body typically cannot synthesise enough glycine to meet the metabolic demand. Glycine is essential for detoxification, antioxidant protection, and energy metabolism. In severely obese people, low glycine levels may accelerate oxidative stress, resulting in a higher risk of developing certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, and Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a condition caused by excessive fat in the liver.Hence, researchers wanted to study if glycine supplementation can correct glycine deficiency in individuals with severe…

Ina Garten shares a favorite recipe from Missy Robbins, a New York City chef and restaurant owner.It’s a quick and easy baked ricotta recipe that’s flavorful and ideal for holiday entertaining.To achieve the best flavor and texture, it is important to use authentic artisanal ricotta. Ina has graciously shared so many of her cooking secrets with us, from making better soups to a versatile vinaigrette. And, of course, she’s always been there for us ahead of the holidays, giving us a sneak peek into what she’ll be serving. While she has plenty of her own recipes, Ina is also not…

Blending chemistry, computation, and curiosity, one postdoc studies how molecular motion shapes the durability of everyday materials.Image credit:Pierre Kawak, ©iStock, imaginimaQ | Write a brief introduction to yourself including the lab you work in and your research background. I’m Pierre Kawak, a chemical engineer by training and postdoc in Simmons Lab at the University of South Florida. I was raised and educated in the Middle East. I use simulations and polymer physics to see how plastics move, stick, and break—making nanoparticle-reinforced rubber tougher and tuning polymer sequences to control brittleness.Q | How did you first get interested in science and/or…

What you drink can negatively or positively affect your blood sugar.Many drinks contain sources of sugar that can spike blood sugar and then send it crashing.The best no-added-sugar drinks include coffee, tea, sparkling water, infused water and milk. When it comes to choosing a beverage, the options are endless—but many drinks contain sneaky sugars that can impact your blood glucose levels. Even some beverages with no added sugar may still contain carbohydrates that can cause your blood sugar to rise. Navigating the beverage aisle takes a bit of skill, so we’ve enlisted a few dietitians to share their top five…