Scientists found significant brain changes in response to drinking among dopamine receptor-deficient mice, suggesting genetic influence on alcohol's effects. This study supports the idea that genetic screening could help individuals understand risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Scientists discovered a key difference in how TB bacteria and human cells deliver unwanted proteins to their respective recycling factories. This critical difference may help design drugs to disable the bacterial system while leaving normal human protein recycling centers intact.
The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) will produce and accelerate beams with greater versatility than the current system, allowing studies with new kinds of ions previously unavailable to researchers. EBIS can start with positive ions or even neutral atoms, creating ion beams from almost any element.
A study found that Ritalin improved impaired brain function and enhanced cognitive performance in people addicted to cocaine. The medication combined with cognitive interventions may have a role in facilitating recovery from drug addiction.
Researchers found asymmetrical behavior in electrons' tunneling ability depending on oxygen atom position, a significant step toward identifying pseudogap state and its effect on superconductivity. The discovery may lead to new approaches to achieving room-temperature superconductivity in copper-oxides.
BioSET Inc. has been issued a patent for improved second-generation technology to design synthetic peptides that communicate growth signals to cells, fostering efficient healing. The technology has applications in numerous tissue repair cases, including orthopedic markets and sports medicine injuries.
A team of scientists created nano-patterned superconducting thin films that can change their electrical resistance in response to an external magnetic field. The discovery could lead to new electronic devices, as the material's fluctuating response to a magnetic field could result in switchable superconducting wires.
Using a new technique, researchers have captured the first images of electrons with extraordinary mass under certain conditions. The study reveals the origin of an electronic phase transition in a uranium compound, providing direct experimental evidence that electrons interact with atoms rather than behaving as waves.
Researchers have deciphered the molecular structure of phytochrome, a key 'light switch' in plant growth. The study reveals a twisted area of contact between two units, suggesting that light adjusts its strength and orientation to transmit signals.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed three patents for fuel-cell catalysts that reduce costly platinum use and increase its effectiveness. The newly patented catalysts can greatly reduce the cost and increase the use of fuel cells in electric vehicles, making them a major source of clean energy.
Physicist J.C. Séamus Davis has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his groundbreaking research on superconductors, superfluids, and supersolids. He is recognized for his insights into the behavior of electrons in high-temperature superconductors, which may lead to new superconducting materials.
Researchers have identified a range of bacterial genes that help explain how certain microbes increase plant growth by up to 40%. These genes provide benefits for plants, including drought resistance, antimicrobial agents, and phytohormones, and are directly dependent on plant-synthesized sugars.
Scientists studied Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasome structure and assembly to understand its role in pathogen survival. This knowledge could aid in developing anti-TB drugs by preventing proteasome maturation.
An international team of scientists has discovered the most massive antinucleus ever detected at RHIC's STAR detector, containing an antiproton, antineutron, and anti-Lambda particle. The findings have significant implications for models of neutron stars and may help elucidate fundamental asymmetries in the early universe.
Brookhaven National Laboratory scientists have created a super nonstick surface that repels water due to the presence of nanobubbles. The surface was made by creating a regular array of nano-cavities on an otherwise flat surface, which traps tiny air bubbles and prevents water from wetting it.
Researchers achieve temperature of about 4 trillion degrees Celsius, hotter than the center of the Sun, creating a freely flowing liquid composed of quarks and gluons. This 'quark-gluon plasma' is similar to the substance that filled the universe after its birth 13.7 billion years ago.
Researchers report the first hints of profound symmetry transformations in quarks and gluons produced in RHIC's most energetic collisions. The new results suggest that 'bubbles' formed within this hot soup may internally disobey mirror symmetry, a fundamental rule governing interactions of quarks and gluons.
Scientists have developed a method to control the buildup of hydrogen fluoride gas during crystal growth, leading to improved production and performance of materials. The new approach uses an HF absorber material to selectively remove hydrogen fluoride, preserving the uniformity of the crystal growth environment.
Researchers discovered that proteins locate genetic information in DNA by sliding down the double helix, like traveling along a screw. This finding validates a recent theory and could lead to new ways to alter DNA-binding protein behavior.
A brain scan study found that active cocaine abusers can suppress activity in brain regions linked to drug craving when asked to inhibit their response. This suggests that clinical interventions designed to strengthen inhibitory responses could help prevent relapse and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers confirm spinon confinement in a magnetic insulator, offering new ways to explore Quantum Chromodynamics. The finding is consistent with a theory developed 12 years earlier by Alexei Tsvelik.
Using precision techniques, researchers pinpointed a single copper-oxide layer as the key to superconductivity in a material. The discovery could lead to precision engineering of ultrathin films with tunable superconductivity for higher-efficiency electronic devices.
The genomes of two popular E. coli laboratory strains, K-12 and B, have been sequenced for the first time, revealing their genetic similarities and differences. The study provides valuable information on the evolutionary mechanisms that produced these differences and will guide future research in basic molecular biology and genetics.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified an enzyme responsible for suberin production, which can help control water and nutrient transportation in plants. This discovery may lead to easier agricultural production of crops used for biofuels, enabling them to thrive in specific or harsh environments.
Joanna Fowler, a senior chemist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, will be awarded the National Medal of Science for her outstanding contributions to brain research and disease study. Her work using positron emission tomography (PET) has led to breakthroughs in understanding drug addiction and the human brain.
Researchers discovered compounds that disable Mycobacterium tuberculosis' proteasome complex, allowing the bacteria to remain dormant. The inhibitors show high specificity for TB microbes while sparing human cells.
Brookhaven scientists have developed a cost-effective method to remove mercury contamination from soil and industrial waste using In Situ Mercury Stabilization (ISMS). The technology involves treating mercury-contaminated materials with sulfur-based reagents, reducing environmental impact and making remediation more affordable.
A new structure of the zinc transporter protein has been revealed, showing how it senses and regulates zinc levels in cells. The discovery suggests an auto-regulatory mechanism for zinc transport and may lead to the development of treatments for diseases like seizure disorders or diabetes.
A brain-imaging study found that ADHD patients have lower-than-normal dopamine markers, which may underlie symptoms of inattention and reduced motivation. This deficit could lead to complications like drug abuse and obesity.
Researchers confirm the existence of a 'phase-incoherent' superconductor at higher temperatures, providing insight into the conditions necessary for superconductivity to occur. The study's findings may help scientists develop practical devices such as zero-loss power transmission lines.
Developed a compact gamma camera called ProxiScan to localize prostate cancer tissue with high resolution. The camera system enables early diagnosis and treatment of potentially deadly disease.
Two Brookhaven Lab scientists, Jason Graetz and Paul Sorensen, have been recognized for their pioneering research in hydrogen storage and heavy-ion collisions. Graetz's work focuses on developing new materials with improved hydrogen-storage properties, while Sorensen's research explores the properties and phases of quark-gluon plasma.
A study found similarities between a plant-dwelling bacterium and a hospital-resident pathogen, highlighting potential risks of using the former for biotech applications. The research suggests caution in using this strain due to its antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms.
A new x-ray imaging technique, diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI), has been developed to visualize individual amyloid beta plaques in the brain. The study successfully images these tiny structures in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, providing promising clues for early diagnosis and treatment.
A brain-imaging study found that cocaine users show reduced activity in areas involved in monitoring behavior and regulating emotions, suggesting these impairments may underlie addictive vulnerability. Improving these functions could help addicted individuals resist drugs.
Researchers are using a novel 'cloud tomography' approach to reconstruct three-dimensional cloud structure. The team will use a network of sensors to probe clouds' thermal emission and measure other characteristics, providing insights into the role of clouds in regulating Earth's radiation energy budget.
A physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed a compact and cost-effective gantry design for delivering tumor-killing particle beams, reducing weight and size by up to 100 times. This new design could make precision particle therapy available to more cancer patients worldwide.
Scientists have decoded the structure of a needlelike protein complex on Shigella bacteria, essential for infection, revealing new insights into the mechanism of bacterial injection systems that could lead to new drugs.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a 'family tree' of genes expressed in woody and herbaceous plants, uncovering clues for engineering plants more efficient for biofuel production. They identified 94 and 61 genes that may carry the genetic instructions for making enzymes controlling cell-wall modification.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a DNA-based assembly line for predictable, high-precision nano-construction, enabling the rapid assembly of new biosensors and solar cells. By controlling DNA interactions, they can regulate interparticle distances and assemble nano-objects into complex structures.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a method for coating metal surfaces with nanoparticles, rendering them resistant to corrosion and eliminating toxic chromium. The new coating is produced through a simple two-step process and can be applied to various metals, offering improved performance and efficiency.
BioSET and Brookhaven Lab have patented a synthetic peptide, B2A, that enhances bone growth in spine fusion surgeries. The peptide is used in a combination medical device called AMPLEX, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies.
A new catalyst has been developed that can efficiently oxidize ethanol and produce clean energy in fuel cell reactions. This breakthrough could make ethanol-powered fuel cells a viable alternative to hydrogen-based systems.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered plant-associated bacteria that can improve plant growth on marginal land, increasing biomass and carbon sequestration. The findings have implications for sustainable biofuel production without competing with food crops or agricultural land.
A team of researchers has illuminated the structure of reactive oxygen species in a vital enzyme using a unique light-based probing technique. The study reveals details about flavoproteins involved in biochemical reactions, including oxygen activation, which is essential for energy conversion in animals and plants.
Researchers have determined the atomic-level structure of botulinum neurotoxin subtype E, revealing a unique arrangement that may help explain its faster-acting properties. This finding could lead to the development of faster-acting vaccines and therapeutic agents.
Physicists Mickey Chiu and Hooman Davoudiasl were awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for their innovative research in quantum chromodynamics and theoretical particle physics. Their work aims to understand the substructure of protons and address fundamental problems in the Standard Model.
Researchers studying a 'striped' material find that it is indeed a superconductor, but only in two dimensions. The material exhibits stronger electron pairing, a necessary condition for superconductivity, at a higher temperature than other compositions.
The new device would deliver more precise and less costly proton radiation to cancerous tumors with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The Brookhaven scientists are seeking industrial partners to license and commercialize the technology.
A study found that cocaine-addicted individuals prefer drug-related images over neutral ones, challenging the assumption that pleasure drives drug choice. The tasks developed in this research can help clinicians monitor choice behavior in addicted individuals, potentially predicting treatment effectiveness and outcomes.