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Apr182022 by adminNo Comments

‘I felt more joy than I thought possible’

Science

Science Photo Library"I had the full-blown mystical revelatory experience - the big psychedelic multi-coloured light and sound show." This is how Steve recalls his first dose of a hallucinogenic drug, psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms. His experience was part of a clinical trial that some scientists are calling a major step towards a revolution in the treatment of depression. It is a trial complicated by the fact that the drug it is testing is illegal. Psilocybin is a Schedule 1 controlled substance; its use is very strictly regulated. Part of the definition of a Schedule 1 drug is that it is not used medicinally. But this trial, which scanned of the brains of participants after their treatment with psychedelics, painted an extraordinary physical picture of the ...

Aug232021 by adminNo Comments

NASA faces new criticism, possible congressional hearing over spacesuit delays

Science

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- NASA is facing new criticism over a recent agency watchdog report that disclosed spacesuit development is so far behind schedule that a return to the moon would be delayed beyond a 2024 target. Coupled with the high cost, estimated to hit $ 1 billion eventually, the development issues are serious enough to prompt a congressional hearing, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., told UPI. "I almost certainly think we have to schedule a hearing before the end of the year," said Beyer, who chairs the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. "We already spent $ 420 million, and we don't know where we're going. We need to really make sure [Congress] is providing the oversight and the accountability necessary." The report from the NASA Office of Inspector Genera...

Jun252021 by adminNo Comments

Engineered yeast may expand possible biofuel sources, researchers say

Science

June 25 (UPI) -- Researchers at MIT said Friday that they have developed a way to expand potential sources of biofuels to include straw and woody plants that, historically, proved challenging to effectively process. Their approach involves a technique designed to improve yeast cells' tolerance to a wide range of alcohols, they said. In large quantities, alcohols are toxic to yeast, the microbes most commonly used to produce biofuels such as ethanol. However, by using specific compounds that strengthen the membrane of the yeast, the microbes were able to survive much longer in high concentrations of ethanol, the researchers said. Using this approach, they were able to improve the traditional fuel ethanol yield of a high-performing strain of yeast by about 80%, they said. Their findings we...

Mar312021 by adminNo Comments

Tyson Fury looks in unbelievable shape for Anthony Joshua fight as Eddie Hearn insists Wembley still a possible venue

Sports

Tyson Fury looks in unbelievable shape for his proposed world heavyweight title unification fight against Anthony Joshua later this year. The WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight kingpin has not fought since his dominant victory over Deontay Wilder in February 2020. Getty Images - Getty Fury has one belt, Anthony Joshua has three, the winner will leave with all four Eddie Hearn confirmed earlier this month that contracts had been signed for a two-fight deal to take place this year. Yet, there is no confirmation on either the date or venue for the first meeting and it seems as though Saudi Arabia is the frontrunner. Although the Matchroom Boxing chief told talkSPORT Wembley is also a possibility, Fury is doing all he can to ensure he stays...

Feb52021 by adminNo Comments

Machine-learning program imagines a protein’s many possible structures

Science

Feb. 4 (UPI) -- To study biological molecules like proteins, scientists rely on cryo-electron microscopy. The 3D-imaging technology is ideal for studying proteins that exist in only a single structural arrangement, or conformation. Unfortunately, many proteins can assume a variety of shapes, complicating bio-molecular surveys. Advertisement Thanks to a new machine-learning algorithm, however, scientists can now anticipate and recognize a protein's varied structural iterations. The new AI-system, described Thursday in the journal Nature Methods, does more than image a diversity of conformations, it can also predict the varied motions of different protein structures. Instead of mapping different protein structures on individual 3D lattices, the neural network combines the full assemblage o...