An international team recorded still frames of photosystem II as it splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, revealing large conformational changes and overall structure alterations. The study paves the way for optimizing catalytic reactions and creating molecular movies of biochemical processes.
A Swedish-German research team has developed a new method for producing ultra-strong cellulose fibers, with filaments stronger than aluminum and steel per weight. The fibers are created through hydrodynamic alignment and assembly of nano-fibrils, making them biodegradable and compatible with human tissue.
Researchers enhance understanding of materials interfaces using DESY's bright research light sources. They discovered a tenfold higher conductivity in a specific interface, shedding light on the mysterious 'missing electrons'. The findings open doors to designing new properties and controlling them.
Researchers at Århus University used X-ray light to track the growth of tungsten oxide nanoparticles, which can be tailored for smart windows and solar cells. The study shows that nanoparticles form from octahedra units in solution and develop a predominantly ordered crystal structure as they grow.
Scientists used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to take snapshots of individual free molecules, overcoming hurdles in imaging single molecules. The technique enables the study of ultra-fast molecular dynamics with unprecedented precision and detail.
Scientists at DESY's PETRA III research light source used nanodiffraction to study living cancer cells, showing clear differences in their internal structures compared to chemically fixed cells. The technique enabled the investigation of living cells in their natural environment using hard X-rays.
Researchers have developed a novel X-ray technique that enables the rapid determination of atomic surface structures and live recordings of surface reactions like catalysis and corrosion. This breakthrough paves the way for designing better catalysts and materials on an atomic level.
A research team has decoded the molecular structure of the serotonin receptor at room temperature for the first time, revealing its dynamics and giving a more realistic picture of its physiological function. This breakthrough could lead to better-designed drugs and new ways to investigate large biomolecules.
Scientists at DESY's X-ray source PETRA III and Carnegie Institution created new compounds like Na3Cl and NaCl3 under high pressure, violating classical chemistry rules. These discoveries pave the way for a more universal understanding of chemistry and potential novel applications.
Researchers have developed a novel way to boil water in under a trillionth of a second, opening new paths for experiments with heated samples of biological relevance. The technique uses terahertz radiation to heat up small amounts of water by as much as 600 degrees Celsius.
Researchers at DESY's PETRA III facility watched organic solar cells degrade in real time, revealing a mechanism of degradation that involves growth and receding of active domains. The study could lead to new approaches for increasing the stability of this promising type of solar cell.
Scientists have observed solid evidence for high-energy neutrinos coming from cosmic accelerators beyond our solar system. The IceCube detector captured 28 neutrinos with energies greater than 30 TeV, including two above 1,000 TeV, hinting at the birth of neutrino astronomy.
Researchers synthesized a new material that can store up to three times more hydrogen than most metal hydrides, with an unusual structure not observed in other known hydrides. The discovery could contribute to the development of high-capacity hydrogen fuel cells and potentially lead to the discovery of unprecedented properties.
Using X-ray analysis, scientists have studied molten basalt at extreme pressure conditions, revealing a stiffer and denser form of the magma. The findings support the concept of two magma oceans in the early Earth's mantle, separated by a crystalline layer.
A German-Swiss research team has developed a device that sorts conformers of the same compound based on their shape, allowing for direct measurement of reaction rates. The device exploits the difference in dipole moment between conformers and uses it to separate and react them with calcium ions.
Researchers at DESY's PETRA III light source have created a 4.3nm-wide X-ray beam, ten thousand times thinner than a human hair, using a Fresnel lens made from nanometre-thin layers.
Scientists at DESY's FLASH facility have successfully created an X-ray laser based on a solid, enabling the analysis of sensitive samples without destruction. The method utilizes the principle of stimulated emission to overcome the Auger process, which previously hindered the creation of compact X-ray lasers.
Researchers from Amsterdam University and DESY discovered coexisting structural states in a glass made from microscopic silica spheres under shear stress. The study revealed that the glass's inner structure varies depending on the applied shear rate, affecting its flow behavior.
Scientists observe unusual orientation behavior of small particles flowing through thin capillaries, which changes direction at narrow points. This discovery has significant implications for technical spinning processes and the understanding of vascular stenosis.
Researchers directly verified a state of transition where molecules hover above the catalyst before flying away, opening up possibilities for improving catalysts. This study uses the world's strongest X-ray laser to observe ultrafast chemical reactions in real-time.
A research team has uncovered the molecular structure of MITF, a master regulator central to melanoma and other diseases. The X-ray analysis revealed unexpected insertions that limit MITF's ability to bind to DNA, providing a rational basis for the development of tailor-made drugs targeting this protein.