In the largest known study of UK baby microbiomes to date, researchers have discovered that newborn babies have one of three pioneer bacteria in their gut shortly after birth. [ + ]

Researchers used infrared light to capture clear images of biomolecules inside cells — something that was previously not possible due to the tendency of the water in cells to absorb infrared radiation. [ + ]

The vision of people with a rare inherited condition that causes them to lose much of their sight early in childhood was anywhere from 100 to 10,000 times better after they received gene therapy. [ + ]

A highly selective catalyst can convert methane (a major component of natural gas) into methanol (an easily transportable liquid fuel) — all in a single reaction. [ + ]

Researchers have found a statistically significant association between grandparents' education level and their grandchildren's epigenetic-based 'real' age. [ + ]

The wearable, stretchable, hydrogel-based sensor offers a non-invasive method to monitor health by detecting biomarkers such as cholesterol and lactate directly on the skin. [ + ]

Mitochondria in our brain cells frequently fling their DNA into the nucleus, where the DNA becomes integrated into the cells' chromosomes. These insertions may be causing harm. [ + ]

If you come across any brightly coloured, cloth-bound books from the Victorian era, you might want to handle them gently or even steer clear altogether. [ + ]

Scientists say they have discovered why the flu vaccine can perform poorly, having found that a specific type of immune cell indirectly controls the anti-influenza response. [ + ]

The point-of-care electrochemical biosensor prototype can measure levels of two biomarkers for heart failure in as little as 15 min from just a drop of saliva. [ + ]

Researchers have designed a shunt that expands when activated by light, which could reduce the number of open-chest surgeries required by children with congenital heart defects. [ + ]

The world's most sensitive dark matter detector has narrowed down the possibilities for one of the leading theoretical dark matter candidates: weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs. [ + ]

Researchers have used aerosols to detect altered atmospheric transport patterns associated with climate change, observing that the distance of transboundary air pollution moving east from China has shortened. [ + ]

A first-in-kind clinical trial has tested the safety and efficacy of a JAK inhibitor in decreasing the burden of autoimmune skin conditions in people with Down syndrome. [ + ]

In industrial processes and laboratories, vapours have a useful role. So what are vapours, where are they used, and how can they be delivered in a controlled way to these processes? [ + ]