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New study describes a fundamental mechanism regulating a protein’s shape and function, with potential applications in biotechnology and drug development.

̽»¨Ö±²¥models which are used to predict how climate change will occur could be much improved by including the key role of ozone, which is often overlooked in current models.

A trawl through a library of more than 50,000 ‘small molecules’ has identified a potential candidate to inhibit the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Reported today in the journal Nature Communications, the molecule targets a mechanism of tumour development that had previously been considered ‘undruggable’– in other words, extremely difficult, if not impossible, to target with a drug – and could open the door to further promising new candidates.

̽»¨Ö±²¥ ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge is to receive £15 million over five years from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to support the training and development of 150 PhD students. Students will be trained in world-class bioscience that will help boost the economy and build on UK strengths in areas such as agriculture, food, industrial biotechnology, bioenergy and health.

̽»¨Ö±²¥physical properties of the ultra-white scales on certain species of beetle could be used to make whiter paper, plastics and paints, while using far less material than is used in current manufacturing methods.

̽»¨Ö±²¥Royal Society has announced the recipients of its awards, medals and prizes for 2104.

A new technique which uses light like a needle to thread long chains of particles could help bring sci-fi concepts such as cloaking devices one step closer to reality.

̽»¨Ö±²¥development of a ‘nanobarrel’ that traps and concentrates light onto single molecules could be used as a low-cost and reliable diagnostic test.

Intensely coloured low-cost films made from cellulose could be used in place of toxic dyes, or to detect counterfeit materials.

Conditions which may accelerate the spread of Parkinson’s disease, and a potential means of enhancing naturally-occurring defences against neurodegenerative disorders, have been identified in two new studies.