Scientists have developed a smart material that responds to environmental stimuli, such as mechanical pressure or stretching, and can be used to create autonomous grippers. The material's unique properties make it ideal for use in soft robots performing complex tasks or locomotion.
The American Chemical Society highlights the achievements of Black scientists in chemistry and chemical engineering, including drug discovery, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy. The special issue showcases their work and calls for greater recognition and inclusion in the science enterprise.
Researchers have developed a laser-based method to print nanostructured holograms on dried corn syrup films, enabling edible hologram decoration for foods. The holograms can also indicate sugar content or ensure food safety, making them a promising innovation in the food industry.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel that slowly releases mRNA nanoparticles, activating T cells and stimulating antibody production in mice with melanoma. The treatment causes tumors to shrink and prevents metastasis, demonstrating great potential for long-lasting cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers found that microbes from termite species can break down lignin, the toughest of three polymers in straw, up to 37%. The microbes also efficiently degrade hemicelluloses and cellulose, which could lead to increased biofuel production.
Researchers have discovered that combining copper-silver ionization with lower amounts of chlorine can decrease disinfection byproducts and cell toxicity in chlorinated pool water. This approach may help mitigate respiratory problems, such as asthma, associated with swimming pool exposure.
Researchers used metabolomics and machine learning to identify biomarkers for COVID-19 diagnosis and risk assessment. The study found 26 biomarkers that differed between mild and severe illnesses, potentially revealing new clues on how SARS-CoV-2 affects the body.
Companies are pivoting to biotechnology to manufacture scents and flavors using fermented microbes, which are more sustainable than traditional methods. This approach allows for the creation of new fragrance molecules with consistent flavor and smell, meeting consumer demand and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers have developed a pen-like sensor that changes color in response to harmful gases, offering a potential solution for detecting toxic vapors. The device can identify nerve agents and volatile amine vapors, with applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and public safety.
Researchers have developed a prototype backpack that reduces load weights by 20% while harvesting energy from human movements to power small electronics. The backpack incorporates elastomers for shock absorption and a triboelectric nanogenerators to convert mechanical energy into electricity, achieving 14% efficiency.
A study by Christine Costello and colleagues found that urban agriculture in Chicago made little difference in reducing land area needed to supply nutritional needs. However, adding certain vitamins as supplements could make locally raised food sufficient for residents within a smaller radius.
Researchers found that silver nanoparticles in antimicrobial plastic can form in foods and beverages, especially in sweetened products. The study suggests that long-term storage of these packaged items could lead to the transfer of silver ions into food and drinks, potentially harming human health.
The Biden-Harris administration aims to create research and development opportunities in clean energy and switch the US to cleaner sources. Climate change policies and updates to regulations will also be prioritized to protect public health from toxic substances. Immigration reform may lead to more scientific collaboration and access f...
A standard water treatment technique, iron coagulation, efficiently removes and inactivates enveloped viruses by forming precipitates that trap the viral envelopes. This method is more effective than chlorine disinfection, with a reduction of 100,000 times active virus in 2.6 minutes.
Researchers found that different juicing techniques can alter the levels of health-promoting phytochemicals and antioxidants in raw vegetables. Low-speed juicing produced more diverse metabolites, while high-speed centrifugal juicers resulted in thicker juices with less pulp and fiber.
A new method uses ruthenium-carbon catalysts to convert polyolefins into fuels and chemical feedstock, with over 90% conversion rate at lower temperatures. The process can produce natural gas and liquid alkanes, potentially reducing post-consumer waste in landfills.
Researchers have developed a method to simultaneously measure 77 antibiotics in various foods, including meat, eggs, milk, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. The new approach allows for the detection of multiple classes of antibiotics at trace amounts, which can contribute to increased antibiotic resistance and gut microbiome imbalance.
Researchers have developed ultra-absorptive nanofiber swabs that can absorb and release more viruses and biological specimens, improving the sensitivity of diagnostic tests. The new swabs detected SARS-CoV-2 at a 10-times lower concentration than traditional cotton or flocked swabs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated scientific innovation, with scientists working at record speed to develop vaccines, diagnose, and treat the virus. Despite these advances, the pandemic has also raised concerns about public trust in science, exacerbated by mixed messaging and politicization.
Researchers have used lasers to create bubble microrobots that can form inseparable shapes and control their movement. The robots can manipulate small pieces into interconnected structures with unbreakable connections.
Researchers have developed a prototype of an anode-free zinc-based battery that uses low-cost, naturally abundant materials. The battery shows high efficiency, energy density and stability, opening new directions for using aqueous zinc-based batteries in energy storage systems.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to simulate SARS-CoV-2 infection, finding innate immunity controls viral load more effectively than adaptive immunity. The study suggests starting antiviral or interferon therapy as soon as symptoms appear.
Researchers have identified a potent antifungal agent, attinimicin, produced by nearly two-thirds of Pseudonocardia strains in Brazilian ants. This compound has broad geographic distribution and shows promise as a potential drug candidate for fighting fungal infections.
Researchers introduced pseudo periodic tables filled with familiar items like fruits, nuts, and superheroes to improve students' comprehension of the periodic table. The study found that over 75% of students found this strategy useful and showed an increase in correct answers on midterm exams.
Researchers have found a compound isolated from the leaves of Inula viscosa that can kill brain-eating amoebae by causing them to undergo cell suicide. The compound, inuloxin A, has shown promise in lab studies and may be more effective than current treatments at crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers developed a new way to assess exactly what's in that cup of joe. They found 12 compounds with measurable concentrations, and two had significantly different amounts between the coffee varieties. The team's predictions were within 15% of the actual ratio.
The American Chemical Society outlines key business and policy issues in chemistry for 2021, with a focus on climate goals and the impact of open access publishing. The organization also notes that chemical firms are looking to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and manufacturers will remain busy producing COVID-19 vaccines.
Researchers have developed a nanoparticle vaccine that elicits a virus-neutralizing antibody response in mice after just one dose. The spike/ferritin nanoparticles may be a viable strategy for single-dose vaccination against COVID-19, suggesting potential improvements over current two-dose regimens.
Researchers have developed a method to detect Cas9 protein, a key component of CRISPR/Cas gene editing technology, in human plasma and mouse models. This breakthrough aims to identify athletes who may be using gene doping to gain an unfair advantage.
Scientists have developed inexpensive conductive inks for clog-free ballpoint pens that can draw flexible electronic circuits on a variety of textures and even rough or irregular surfaces. The new ink composition provides stable and smooth writing performance, releasing no harmful gases during use.
The novel coronavirus was a major focus of chemistry research in 2020, with thousands of papers published on mask efficacy, disinfectants and virus transmission. Other notable topics included new insights into planetary atmospheres and the impact of climate change on wildfires.
Scientists have created an automated process to analyze thiols at very low concentrations in beer, shedding light on the compounds responsible for hoppy flavors. The new method uses tandem mass spectrometry and meets requirements for detecting thiols while processing samples in a safer and quicker manner.
Researchers have developed an evaporation-based approach using propylene glycol to create a gel-like plug that blocks sweat ducts, slowing perspiration. This metal-free antiperspirant could provide a comfortable and effective alternative to traditional products.
Scientists create tiny Janus balls that change color under a magnetic field, potentially used in inks for anti-counterfeiting tags. The technology could help manufacturers stay one step ahead of sophisticated counterfeiters.
Researchers found a non-destructive way to analyze bitumen in Ancient Egyptian embalming materials, providing insights into its origin and processing. The method revealed that a mummy in a French museum could have been partially restored with pure bitumen.
The pharmaceutical industry made significant strides in 2020, developing tests, therapeutics, and vaccines to combat COVID-19. Companies like Eli Lilly and Regeneron led the way in making antibody therapies, while Moderna used messenger RNA to develop a potential vaccine with promising early trial data.
Researchers have identified 35 known and one new neuropeptide produced by the American cockroach that could be targeted for pest control. The neuropeptides' expression varies by tissue, developmental stage, and sex, making some more suitable targets than others.
A new study published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that sous vide cooking increases beef protein digestibility compared to boiling or roasting. Sous vide cooking produced less protein oxidation and aggregation, releasing a greater quantity and variety of peptides.
Researchers have engineered red blood cells to release therapeutic proteins in response to specific wavelengths of light, using a honey bee peptide. This innovative approach could provide a more effective and targeted way to deliver protein therapies, reducing the risk of side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers have developed nanodiamond-embedded membrane filters that can effectively treat hot wastewater by increasing filtration rates and removing impurities. These membranes achieve this through the synergistic effects of amine links and ethyl acetate treatment, resulting in thicker, more temperature-stable membranes.
Scientists analyzed compounds in wastewater to gauge public health aspects, including SARS-CoV-2 detection. They found that measuring virus particles in settled solids from sewage treatment plants could be a more sensitive approach than current methods.
Researchers have developed new compounds that kill bacteria responsible for diseases in rice, kiwi and citrus. The plant-inspired alkaloids work by increasing levels of reactive oxygen species in the bacteria, causing cell death.
Researchers found that ozone reacts with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on surfaces to produce new compounds. The study characterized these compounds for the first time and found they form over time, decreasing THC levels.
Researchers have developed a self-repairing gelatin-based film that can mend cracks in minutes and preserve electrical functionality. The film, which incorporates glucose, can be used to enhance the durability of touchscreen and flexible display devices.
Researchers have developed a method to pattern hundreds-of-meters-long multimaterial fibers with embedded functional elements, enabling the creation of customized devices. This breakthrough could pave the way for new fiber-based devices and smart textiles.
Researchers found higher abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes downstream of wastewater treatment plants, linked to human contamination. The study provides insights into the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in waterways after natural disasters.
The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual list of 10 promising chemistry start-ups, focusing on innovative solutions for drug discovery, waste recycling, sustainable materials, and quantum computing. Companies like Aryballe and Evrnu are developing groundbreaking technologies to address pressing global challenges.
Researchers designed DNA-based nanogels that break down and release chemotherapeutic contents only in cancer cells. The nanogels use biomarkers like FEN1 to differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, reducing the impact on normal cells.
Researchers developed a technique to print full-size, realistic heart models using alginate material and MRI scans. These models can be handled outside of the gelatin bath, enabling surgeons to practice complex heart surgeries.
Researchers have developed a more sensitive way to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood, which could help doctors find and treat metastases earlier. Using fluorescence spectrometry, as few as nine breast cancer cells can be detected in 200 μL of buffer solution.