Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a green way to create chitin, by using two forms of food waste - prawn shells and discarded fruit - and fermenting them.

A protein shredder that occurs in cell membranes of brain cells apparently also indirectly regulates the fat metabolism. This is shown by a recent study by the University of Bonn. The shredder, known as gamma-secretase, is considered a possible target for drugs against cancer and Alzheimer's disease. However, the results suggest that such agents may have long-range effects that need to be watched closely. The study has now been published in "Life Science Alliance".

Its name is Foxg1, it is a gene, and its unprecedented role is the protagonist of the discovery just published on the journal Cerebral Cortex. Foxg1 was already known for being a "master gene" able to coordinate the action of hundreds of other genes. As this new study reports, the "excitability" of neurons, namely their ability to respond to stimuli, communicating between each other and carrying out all their tasks, also depends on this gene.

Scientists have successfully developed a new technique to reliably grow crystals of organic soluble molecules from nanoscale droplets, unlocking the potential of accelerated new drug development.

Prof. ZHONG Zhicheng's team at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering has investigated the electronic structure of the recently discovered nickelate superconductors NdNiO₂. They successfully explained the experimental difficulties in synthesizing superconducting nickelates, in cooperation with Prof. Karsten Held at Vienna University of Technology.

A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin, started within 7 days of showing COVID-19 symptoms, is safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate illness, according to the first randomized trial of this triple combination therapy involving 127 adults (aged 18 and older) from six public hospitals in Hong Kong.

Tissue engineering has a unique set of tools and technologies for developing preventive strategies, diagnostics, and treatments that can play an important role during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The most extensive system of haze layers ever observed in the solar system have been discovered and characterised on the planet Saturn.

In many fish species body size plays an important role in sexual selection. Large individuals are preferred mating partners because they can enhance offspring survival by providing better quality resources than small individuals. While large females and males are often favored by sexual selection, fishing targets and removes these reproductively superior individuals. Academy Research Fellow Silva Uusi-Heikkilä discusses in her recent literature review the implications fisheries selection might have on sexual selection, individual reproductive success and population viability.

New research has shown that the key to implementing successful reform in low-performing schools is hiring and retaining effective principals and teachers.

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina show in a new report that the RNA interference machinery, normally thought to reside in the nucleus or cytoplasm, predominantly localizes to these apical junctions and influences cell biology in the colon. Interestingly, in colon tumors, this localization is dysregulated and may shift the balance of RNAs to promote tumorigenesis.

A new discovery in mice shows the innate immune system has 'memory,' previously thought to be a unique feature of the adaptive immune system. Blocking this memory prevented transplanted organs from being rejected, providing a way to more specific drugs that could lengthen organ transplant survival.

A Texas A&M AgriLife Research team has good news for patients with copper-deficiency disorders, especially young children diagnosed with Menkes disease.

New research describes a new model for how the brain interprets patterns in complex networks. They found that the ability to detect patterns stems in part from the brain's desire to represent things in the simplest way possible and that the brain is constantly weighing the pressures of complexity and simplicity when making decisions.

The direction of ocean currents can determine the direction of gene flow in rafting species, but this depends on species traits that allow for rafting propensity. This is according to a City College of New York study focusing on seahorse and pipefish species. And it could explain how high genetic diversity can contribute to extinction in small populations.

Although the clinical symptoms of SARS, H1N1, MERS, EVALI, and COVID-19 may be nonspecific, some characteristic imaging findings are emerging, says the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR). Careful evaluation of the distribution, lung zone preference, and symmetry of the abnormalities with an eye for a few unique differentiating imaging features can allow radiologists to offer a narrower differential diagnosis in pediatric patients, leading to optimal patient care.

ITV News has seen correspondence from Debenhams’ administrator to Bangladeshi suppliers demanding a 90% discount on garments orders.

One hospice ITV News spoke to is three days away from running out of protective gowns needed to treat patients with coronavirus.

A former Scotland rugby captain, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash, is walking to raise money for the NHS.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for "more than 200,000" coronavirus tests to be carried out.

Data which identified a massive in Covid-19 was sent to ministers a month before the government's Care Home Action Plan was published.

Arrows fired from longbows could penetrate right through the human skull creating small entry and large exit wounds.

Emily Nuttall, 26, has sought help from charities such as Mind and Beat to help her cope with mental health problems during lockdown.

Survey finds people are appreciating their local parks, countryside and green belt more.

Characters created by Axel Scheffler from his popular books with Julia Donaldson are on the cover.

One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced.

While the Government’s aim is to return things to normal as far as possible, it is likely that some measures will remain in place.

The pandemic has meant more than 100 of the animals are walking as far as 95 miles to their homes.

There have been no deaths reported from the virus in China for more than three weeks.

From a rapid recovery to prolonged depression and everything in between, the range of possible outcomes from the coronavirus crisis is vast.

Lockdown restrictions are set to be eased - Tom Clarke shares his reservations on the idea.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the lockdown period in the country should be extended.

Newly released figures show that certain ethnicities were at greater risk of Covid-19 related deaths.

In the community, the rate of transmission is probably as low as 0.5/0.6, which means its progress through the population has been arrested.

Number 10 said the government will move with "maximum caution" when lifting restrictions in England, but some are worried.

Frost free with misty low cloud in the west, clearer in the east

The Prime Minister was welcomed to the abbey by the Dean of Westminster, and lit a candle on the eve on the 75th anniversary of the Allied v

Citizens Advice claims cancer patients are among those having to go to work despite being eligible for the job retention scheme.

A drop in demand from overseas markets and restaurants at home means 2020 could be the first year without overfishing in European waters.

The monarch will speak to the nation on Friday to mark 75 years since VE Day.

Resist the urge to sunbath and socialise despite hints from the PM lockdown might be eased soon, Dominic Raab said.

The coronavirus death toll in the UK has risen to 31,241 after a further 626 reported deaths, according to the Department of Health.

Some 20.5 million jobs have vanished in the worst monthly loss on record.

It is rare for the Queen to give a national televised addressed so it is a measure of the times we are living through, writes Chris Ship.

Saturday is set to be even hotter than Friday.

Indications are emerging about the plan the Prime Minister will set out on Sunday for lifting the lockdown in England.

Members of the remote community wrote to the secretary of state for Scotland asking for help on May 10, 1930.

Islanders have been finding ways to mark the anniversary and help the spirit of the Liberation shine during difficult circumstances.

State governors like New York's Andrew Cuomo are making the big decisions on the coronavirus outbreak, and are providing a vivid contrast to Donald Trump.