Discover 3 science news from the latest 24 hours in our #PeerusWhatsNew, now on Medium.
1 Researchers found a new geometric shape in our cells, the scutoid. It would help stability of the cells during tissue twists.
The new form looks like a prism, with a six-sided polygon at one end and a five-sided polygon at the other end. The team decided to name this new “scutoid” geometrical shape because of its resemblance to the scutellum of an insect’s thorax.
To confirm the predictions of the computer model, the team studied tissues of different animals. Experimental data confirm that epithelial cells adopt shapes similar to those predicted by the computer model.
2 Ocean acidification could quickly reach unprecedented levels and have adverse effects on marine life.
Due to the sharp increase in CO2 emissions since the industrial era, the pH of the oceans could rise from 8.1 in 2018 to only 7.8 in 2100. These results are even more alarming for researchers who are trying to understand the effects that ocean acidification can have on the marine ecosystem.
In some parts of the world, the effects of ocean acidification on marine life are already being osberved. According to another team of researchers, the waters off Shikine-jima Island (near Tokyo) have seen a massive coral mortality episode.
3 Researchers genetically modified a rice to produce neutralizing proteins for HIV.
This very particular rice thus produces a type of antibody and two types of proteins that bind directly to HIV. They prevent it, in fact, from interacting with human cells.
Even if tests remain to be done, this genetically modified rice can be transformed into a cream, which will allow proteins to penetrate the body when applied to the skin.
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