Drug pollution can have wide-ranging and complex effects on ecosystems. International organizations and scientists are working to understand how drug pollution impacts wildlife and find ways to contain these wayward pharmaceuticals.
Continue ReadingOur senses of taste and smell are extremely complex. This article describes the general molecules and proteins that work together to help us perceive flavor.
Continue ReadingThalidomide is a notorious drug that caused horrific birth defects in the 1950s, though its damage in the U.S. was limited by Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey and the FDA. Now, thalidomide has found a different use in the field of targeted protein degradation as part of a new class of therapeutics.
Continue ReadingCoral reefs are critical, diverse ecosystems that are highly sensitive to climate change. Due to warming ocean temperatures, coral can expel the symbiotic algae that feed them, known as bleaching. Researchers are hard at work to increase coral diversity, bolster heat resistance, and protect native species from extinction.
Continue ReadingTulips and Peruvian Lilies wield the compound tulipalin A as a defense mechanism, making them toxic to pets and a source of dermatitis in humans. This article reflects on the history of tulipalin A and the research aiming to repurpose this compound for our benefit.
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