Biochemistry

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Dragon fruit peel extract enhances bread nutrition and reduces food waste

A research team led by Professor ZHOU Weibiao from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the NUS Faculty of Science has shown that compounds extracted from red dragon fruit peel can be incorporated into bread to increase antioxidant activity and slow starch digestion, offering a potential pathway to healthier staple foods and reduced food waste.

17 Mar 2026

Study reveals dual role of PFK enzyme in metabolism and cell cycle progression

A metabolic enzyme studied for over seven decades has a hidden second function - it can unwind RNA and promote cell cycle progression, an additional function beyond its role in energy production, according to a new study led by the University of Surrey.

16 Mar 2026

Boron-assisted reactions overcome solubility barriers in protein synthesis

Chemists from ETH Zurich have found a way to produce poorly soluble proteins by caging a uniquely reactive boron compound.

10 Mar 2026

Redefining the "aging brain" through diverse data

Age is more than just one number. While neuroscientists used to think of cognitive aging as a single trendline, they now realize that vast individual differences require a more predictive and personalized approach. As they uncover more factors that affect cognition over time, they are realizing that modeling the aging brain requires more diverse data than traditionally captured.

9 Mar 2026

Modified psilocybin compounds may treat brain disorders with fewer hallucinations

Psilocybin - the psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms" - is gaining scientific attention for its potential in treating neuropsychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and certain neurodegenerative diseases.

6 Mar 2026

BCAT2 enzyme identified as a target for diabetic foot recovery

Diabetic macrovascular complications are the main cause of death and disability in diabetes patients, of which vascular calcification is one of the key pathological mechanisms. Calcification in atherosclerotic plaque can cause stiffness and decreased compliance of the vascular wall, and induce atherosclerotic plaque rupture, which increases the risk of acute cardiovascular events.

6 Mar 2026

MSU scientists map the neural circuitry of drug compulsion

When a cocaine addict relapses, it isn't a matter of personal failure - it's the biological result of their brain's rewiring, new research finds.

5 Mar 2026

Low-intensity preconditioning boosts neurological outcomes

The team led by Prof. Lin Zhu from Guangzhou Sport University have demonstrated that 4-week low-intensity treadmill exercise before the onset of an ischemic stroke can significantly reduce brain injury and improve neurological outcomes.

4 Mar 2026

Investigating microglia’s role in Alzheimer’s pathology

Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Microglia, as central nervous system (CNS) resident macrophages, are key to AD pathology. Indeed, microglia aggregation around amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits is an AD hallmark.

1 Mar 2026

Colorful japonica rice varieties show unique health-promoting lipids

Rice feeds more than half of the world's population, yet we still only partly understand the nutrients it contains.

27 Feb 2026

Microbial cities in space: Risks and opportunities for astronauts

A global team of scientists has identified an often-overlooked biological system - biofilms - as a critical factor in the future of human space exploration.

26 Feb 2026

Identifying the core catalyst for muscle energy production

Researchers have investigated the role of a certain enzyme in regulating energy in muscle and exercise performance for decades, but a new study by Virginia Tech scientists has identified more precisely than ever how this mechanism works.

26 Feb 2026

New study refines the limits of brain mapping

When removing cancerous tissue in the brain, neurosurgeons often use "awake brain mapping" to minimize the risk of causing unintended disruptions to a patient's quality of life while removing as much tumor as possible. This practice, which has been used for decades, involves waking a patient up mid-surgery to test their neurocognitive functions in real time by stimulating the brain surface and assessing for functional changes.

26 Feb 2026

NUS scientists transform kombu into a probiotic superfood with fruity aromas

Kombu (Saccharina japonica) is a brown seaweed extensively cultivated and consumed in Japan, Korea and China. Despite its nutritional value, its strong fishy and grassy odor can deter some consumers.

23 Feb 2026

Neutral polymer enables safer DNA delivery into cells

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have created a new molecule which carries DNA into biological cells, to treat or vaccinate against illnesses.

22 Feb 2026

New technique synthesizes non-natural amino acids for advanced peptide therapeutics

Ozempic has been making headlines for its remarkable success in treating obesity and diabetes. Yet it is just one in a rapidly growing class of drugs called peptide therapeutics that sits between small molecules (like aspirin) and biologics (like antibodies).

20 Feb 2026