99science

[99science]

The Invisible Threads of Scientific Progress: How a Woman's Legacy Guided Google to a Nobel Prize — Exploring the Parallels Between Helen Berman and Rosalind Franklin

As the 2024 Nobel Prize celebrates AlphaFold's groundbreaking AI in protein structure prediction, it's time we recognize the unsung heroes behind the science. Helen Berman, co-founder of the Protein Data Bank, laid the foundation for this achievement.....

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Demis Hassabis and John Jumper of Google DeepMind for AlphaFold, is a moment in the fusion of artificial intelligence and biology. AlphaFold’s ability to predict protein structures with unprecedented accuracy is a triumph of computational power applied to one of biology’s most intricate challenges. Yet, as we reflect on this monumental achievement, it…

[99science]

Why the Human Genome Project Missed the Nobel Prize While AlphaFold Did Not

The fact that the Human Genome Project (HGP) did not receive a Nobel Prize, while AlphaFold did, raises questions about how monumental scientific achievements are recognized and what criteria shape the decision-making process of awards like the Nobel. Both projects, in their own right, have profoundly impacted the landscape of biology and medicine, yet they differ in the nature of their…

[99science]

Outbreak of Dengue in the Eastern Region of Ghana

The National Surveillance System has recently identified unusual cases of malaria-like illness in several districts of the Eastern Region. These cases were notably unresponsive to the recommended antimalarial treatments and were therefore managed as acute febrile illnesses. Upon further investigation and testing of patient samples at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR),…

[99science]

PhD Position In 3D Metal Printing Of Magnetic Circuits

A motivated student is sought to join the research team at Brno University of Technology as a PhD student and Scientific and Technical Worker. The focus will be on 3D metal printing of magnetic circuits, with a special emphasis on electric motors and actuators. The Smart Magnetic Systems research group at the Institute of Machine and Industrial Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno…

[99science]

Spatial Tissue Profiling in Biomedical Research

Spatial tissue profiling is a sophisticated approach that combines molecular biology, imaging, and bioinformatics to map the spatial distribution of biomolecules within tissue sections. Unlike traditional bulk sequencing methods that average signals across a population of cells, spatial profiling retains spatial context, allowing researchers to discern the intricate cellular and molecular…

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UDS Researcher Nominated for the Africa Prize of Engineering for Pioneering Sustainable Sewage Treatment

Ghanaian environmental technologist Abubakari Zarouk Imoro, from the University for Development Studies, is leading the charge in environmental biotechnology with his groundbreaking Myco-Substitutes method. This revolutionary sewage treatment system utilizes fungi and viruses to break down waste and create useful products like yarns and leather alternatives. Dr Imoro is the head of the Energy…

[99science]

The Disappearance of Ettore Majorana and the Ambitious Majorana Project

The history of science is replete with intriguing mysteries, but few are as captivating and perplexing as the disappearance of Ettore Majorana. A brilliant physicist whose work laid the groundwork for future generations, Majorana vanished without a trace in 1938, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation and a plethora of unanswered questions. Today, his work continues to inspire…

[99science]

Why Achieving a Grand Unified Theory in Physics Remains a Daunting Challenge

The pursuit of a Grand Unified Theory (GUT) is one of the most ambitious and intellectually stimulating endeavours in modern physics. This elusive theory aims to unify the fundamental forces of nature—electromagnetic, weak nuclear, strong nuclear, and gravitational—into a single, coherent framework. Despite significant theoretical progress and experimental efforts, numerous challenges make this…

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Older blue tits dominate over younger ones in reproduction

A new study published by a team at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence has interesting findings about blue tit reproduction. The study focused on how a bird’s age affects its chance of fathering chicks outside its social pair (extra-pair paternity). Blue tits are small songbirds found in Europe and Asia. While they typically form pairs for breeding, some males also mate with…

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Strong Teams, Synced Brains: How Bonding Boosts Communication

Have you ever noticed how close friends or colleagues seem to finish each other’s sentences, or laugh at the same time? A recent study published in PLOS Biology sheds light on the science behind this phenomenon. Researchers found that social bonding within small, hierarchical groups like work teams strengthens communication and brainwave synchronization, specifically between leaders and…

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Ghana Faces Unprecedented Heatwave:A Detailed Look at the Record-Breaking Temperatures

Ghana has been experiencing a scorching heatwave for the past two weeks, with temperatures reaching unprecedented levels. This has brought the nation discomfort and posing serious health risks to its residents. Even relatively cooler regions are not spared. On 14th February, many cities recorded record-breaking temperatures. Bolgatanga led at a staggering 44°C, followed closely by Kumasi at…

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Music: A Window to Your Moral Compass?

Music is a powerful force, but can it reveal your deepest values? A recent study suggests it might. Researchers analysed the music choices of 1,480 people and compared them to their moral stances. Here’s what they found: The Music You Like Says Something About You: The study used various techniques to analyse song lyrics and melodies, looking for clues about themes like fairness, empathy, and…

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HeLa Cells: The Immortal Cell Line of Cancer Research

HeLa cells are a population of human cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951 during her cervical cancer treatment. Most human cells typically die or divide a limited number of times outside the body. However, HeLa cells possess an ability to multiply endlessly in lab cultures. This makes them invaluable for scientific research, offering a readily available and consistent source of human cells…

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Decoding the Scent of Life: A Study of Vertebrate Body Odours

Vertebrate body odours are complex blends of volatile compounds that animals use to communicate with each other, find food, and avoid predators. However, we still know relatively little about the composition of these odours and how they vary across species. In a new study, researchers at Princeton’s McBride Lab led by Jessica L Zung have conducted the first large-scale survey of vertebrate body…

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The Role of Long-Term Physical Activity on Multisensory Integration

Ageing gracefully is a goal many of us aspire to achieve. While it’s true that the passage of time brings about changes in our bodies and minds, emerging research highlights the profound impact of physical activity on older adults. Researchers at Trinity College, Dublin studied the relationship between long-term physical activity and multisensory integration. They uncovered how an active…

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LIGO's Frequency Dependent Squeezing Breaks Quantum Limits

In 2015, the scientific community celebrated a monumental achievement in our understanding of the cosmos when the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves for the first time. This discovery opened a new chapter in astronomy, allowing scientists to observe and study the previously invisible, cataclysmic events that shake the fabric of space and time.…

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Dengue Fever in Burkina Faso: Everything You Need to Know

There is an outbreak of Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, in Burkina Faso with a surge in cases and fatalities. As of October 15, 2023, the West African nation has recorded 50,478 suspected cases and 214 tragic deaths. The situation is particularly dire in the urban centres of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, where the majority of cases and fatalities have been concentrated. Dengue Fever in…