Powerful X-rays reveal unexpected roles for water in enzymes

Recent scientific studies utilizing powerful X-rays have uncovered surprising and critical roles for water molecules within specific enzymes. These enzymes, known as 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases, are heavily linked to cancer biology and the synthesis of antibiotics like penicillin.

The findings shed new light on fundamental biological mechanisms. Understanding how these water molecules influence enzymatic activity could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches in medicine and advanced pharmacological developments.

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ScienceenvironmentOct 17, 2026

Australian scavengers don't just eat everything and slink away

When scientists discuss scavengers, the common image is an animal stumbling upon a carcass, eating voraciously, and quickly leaving. However, new research suggests Australian scavengers approach a carcass much more selectively, treating it almost like a buffet. This article examines the behavioral patterns of Australian scavenging wildlife based on recent scientific insights. Rather than mindless consumption, these animals exhibit complex choices when interacting with remains in their natural habitats.

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ScienceenvironmentOct 17, 2026

The ambiguous costs of climate change

As human activity increases global temperatures, determining the exact costs directly incurred by climate change remains a significant challenge. The effects of climate change on extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heat waves, are often locally specific and highly variable. Furthermore, current observations and climate modeling may not always accurately capture these localized effects. This leaves researchers and policymakers grappling with uncertainty when attempting to quantify the financial and societal tolls of environmental shifts.

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SciencespaceOct 17, 2026

Lone, starless cloud may be a 'dark' galaxy

Astronomers using China's FAST radio telescope have discovered a compact cloud of hydrogen with no visible stars or galaxy around it. This could be one of the strongest candidates yet for an isolated dark galaxy, containing nearly 500,000 times the sun's mass in neutral hydrogen.

astronomy dark galaxy FAST telescope hydrogen cloud space

Powerful X-rays reveal unexpected roles for water in enzymes

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