Weekly Science Digest: Magic Gel, Muscle Regeneration & Malaria

Researchers at Texas A&M University are close to developing a topical gel that prevents the transmission of HIV by dissolving the virus on contact. The synthetic compound contained within the gel, PD 404,182, acts by breaking the virus open and exposing its RNA, thereby rendering it non-infectious. In simple terms, the compound rips open the virus before it is able to inject its genetic material into a human cell. The compound achieves this by acting on something within the virus other than its viral envelope protein; the team believe this to be a cellular material common to all lentiviruses. Most impressive is perhaps the fact that the process prohibits the virus from altering its proteins, meaning that it is unable to boost its resistance. The team now hope to develop and test a gel that could be applied to the vaginal canal.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute has reached a milestone in the development of advanced biofuels. Researchers from the department have engineered strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli bacteria) that are capable of digesting a certain form of bunchgrass and synthesising its sugars into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. The process begins with pretreated switchgrass, native to North America, and sees the cellulose and hemicellulose contained within turned into sugars, which are then fermented into fuels - and it all takes place in one single step. Unlike ethanol, the fuels created during the process can replace gasoline on a gallon-for-gallon basis and, what’s more, they can be used in existing engines and infrastructures.

Scientists Worcester Polytechnic Institute are offering new hope for people suffering from major muscle trauma. As part of their work on new technologies and therapies for those who suffer serious wounds and limb loss, the team successfully regenerated functional muscle tissue in mice. Mature human muscle cells were first coaxed into a stem cell-like state and then grown on biopolymer microthreads. The team then removed a large section of leg muscle from a mouse and replaced it with the microthreads. Over time, the threads and cells were able to restore near-normal function to the muscle. The team believes these surprisingly successful results will open the door to new therapies and technologies.

An international team of scientists from Leicester and Monash universities have announced a breakthrough in the fight against malaria which could lead to the development of drugs capable of stopping the deadly disease in its tracks. Malaria currently affects more than 225 million people worldwide and accounts for nearly 800,000 deaths a year. The researchers have discovered that malaria parasites survive in the human blood stream by way of a group of enzymes called protein kinases. The team are now looking into identifying drugs that halt the production of protein kinases. Despite these optimistic findings, the researchers warn that the malaria parasite is notoriously good at building up resistance to drug treatments. The team hope that their work will provide a plausible avenue toward the successful treatment of the disease.

What’s the best way to suppress fire in space? That’s exactly the question NASA’s FLEX (Flame Extinguishing Experiment) is trying to answer. Since it’s inception in 2009, the FLEX team have conducted more than 200 experiments to better understand the fundamentals of flames. In space, flames burn with a lower temperature, at a lower rate and with less oxygen. The research can be classified as two-fold: exploration-driven fire safety research and more fundamental science research into the physics of combustion.

By using a mixture of fossil and bio fuels, the Mexican aviation industry is hoping to pioneer a greener way to fly. Though the new fuel may seem to promise prosperity, some experts warn that in reality the initiative could have the opposite effect. [video]

The 'Weekly Science Digest' is a compilation of science news from around the world. News suggestions are always welcome: mark.howardbanks (at) researchgate.net