Socioecology Research Today

Chemists have developed a new nacre-like material which is stronger than natural nacre and most other composites. Nacre, which is also known as mother of pearl, is a naturally occurring composite formed from calcium carbonate and biopolymers that create a brickwork structure. It is also nearly a thousand times stronger than any of its component [...]

We describe herein the design and development of an innovative tool called the NuBBE database (NuBBEDB), a new Web-based database, which incorporates several classes of secondary metabolites and derivatives from the biodiversity of Brazil. This natural product database incorporates botanical, chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological compound information. The NuBBEDB provides specialized information to the worldwide scientific [...]

Chemists have long sought to mimic enzymatic hydrogen activation with structurally simpler compounds. Here, we report a functional [NiFe]-based model of [NiFe]hydrogenase enzymes. This complex heterolytically activates hydrogen to form a hydride complex that is capable of reducing substrates by either hydride ion or electron transfer. Structural investigations were performed by a range of techniques, [...]

A major limitation to LED efficiency is the ability of light to escape from the device. Enlightening bug: The abdomen of this Photuris firefly is coated with jagged scales that help the bug shine brighter.By mimicking the jagged structure of a lightning bug’s “lantern” in a layer on top of existing LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, [...]

Paradigm shifts in the strategies and the sciences that would enhance the quality, safety, and efficacy of traditional medicines and dietary supplements in global health care are discussed. Some of the challenges facing traditional medicine in health care are described, and the importance of defining clear goals and directions for the information systems, botany, chemistry, [...]

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) has long been known to contain antibacterial cannabinoids, whose potential to address antibiotic resistance has not yet been investigated. All five major cannabinoids (cannabidiol (1b), cannabichromene (2), cannabigerol (3b), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (4b), and cannabinol (5)) showed potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance. Activity was [...]

Conventional pesticide registrations and biopesticide registrations were examined both collectively and independently for all 277 new active ingredients (NAI) and subsequently categorized and sorted into four types: biological (B), natural product (NP), synthetic (S), and synthetic natural derived (SND). When examining conventional pesticides alone, the S category accounted for the majority of NAI registrations, with [...]

The tiny marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis produces brevetoxin, which in high concentrations is responsible for the harmful algal blooms known as red tides that occur in the waters off the west coast of Florida. The neurotoxin-laden red tide causes respiratory irritation in humans and central nervous system paralysis in fish.“Brevetoxin is a neurotoxin that is [...]

Here we show that a new class of three-finger peptides from another snake, the black mamba, is able to abolish pain through inhibition of ASICs expressed either in central or peripheral neurons. These peptides, which we call mambalgins, are not toxic in mice but show a potent analgesic effect upon central and peripheral injection that [...]

Solar cells and photocatalysts to yield hydrogen are two significant strategies for taking advantage of clean and sustainable solar energy, and their light manipulation and harvesting ability will play a dominant role in their conversion efficiencies. Butterflies demonstrate their brilliant colors due to their wonderful skills of light manipulation, originating intrinsically from their elaborate architectures. [...]