A new analysis of cosmic microwave background radiation data has taken the furthest look back in time, revealing an excess of radiation that may indicate the presence of primordial neutrinos or dark energy. The findings challenge current theories on the universe's early expansion history.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and University of Wisconsin have developed a non-destructive 3D imaging technique that provides molecular-level chemical information. The technique, FTIR spectro-microtomography, combines Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy with computed tomography to create full-color 3D images with unprecedented detail.
Researchers have discovered a quantum unit of photon absorption, dubbed 'AQ', that is general to all 2D semiconductors. This discovery could lead to exotic new optoelectronic and photonic technologies.
Researchers develop a technique using fluorescent tetrapod quantum dots to measure polymer fiber tensile strength without altering its mechanical properties. The tQDs act as non-perturbing probes that provide detailed stress monitoring, enabling the creation of stronger and more durable materials.
Researchers have developed a cost-competitive way to extract fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic microbes. The most active populations in the switchgrass-deconstructing consortium were identified as Gemmatimonadetes and Paenibacillus, which show potential for biofuel production.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source found that vitamin D deficiency not only reduces bone mineralization but also induces premature aging of existing bone. This accelerates the risk of fractures in patients with vitamin D deficiency.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have created an atomic-scale structure of a ribosome attached to a molecule that controls its motion, shedding light on how bacterial ribosomes work. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibiotics that target the specific weaknesses of bacterial ribosomes.
A recent study by researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that thirdhand smoke causes significant genetic damage in human cells. Chronic exposure is worse than acute exposure, with higher concentrations of chemical compounds causing more DNA damage over time.
Researchers have released a unique dataset based on 32 nights of repeated observations of SN 2011fe, providing unprecedented detail and a solid point of reference for Type Ia physics. The data reveals that the supernova is remarkably normal, passing important tests but not matching leading computational models.
Berkeley Lab researchers found that most bacterial genes are regulated by signals unrelated to their function, leading to maladaptive regulation in laboratory settings. Only a small percentage of genes showed adaptive regulation, suggesting that natural responses may not fit the classical all-benefit-and-no-cost model.
A research team from Berkeley Lab has reported a unique molecular-level analysis of a BSC cyanobacterium responding to wetting and drying of its environment. They found that within three minutes after wetting began, metabolic processes in dormant microbial cells came alive.
Researchers have developed a fully integrated microfluidic test-bed to evaluate and optimize solar-driven electrochemical energy conversion systems. The system has been used to study schemes for photovoltaic electrolysis of water and can be adapted to study artificial photosynthesis and fuel cell technologies.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a technique to hyperpolarize carbon-13 nuclear spins in diamond, enhancing NMR/MRI sensitivity by many orders of magnitude. This method uses a low-strength magnetic field and is applicable to various applications, including molecular detection and quantum information processing.
A study by Berkeley Lab found that increasing classroom ventilation rates up to the state standard can reduce student absences by approximately 3.4 percent, leading to significant cost savings for schools and families. This reduction in absenteeism is estimated to be worth $33 million annually to California's school districts.
Researchers have discovered properties that made ancient Roman concrete sustainable and durable, with potential applications for environmentally friendly modern concretes. The Roman recipe needed less than 10% lime by weight, making it at two-thirds or less the temperature required by Portland cement.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab identified the microenvironment surrounding microvasculature as a niche where dormant breast tumor cells reside. The study reveals that stable microvasculature suppresses growth and creates a dormant niche, while sprouting neovasculature sparks micrometastatic outgrowth.
Researchers developed nanostructures made of graphene using a new, controlled approach to chemical reactions. They used atomic force microscopy to track individual carbon atoms and their bonds in real-time.
Researchers develop a new method to model large biomolecules in their native state using X-ray flash data, providing insights into protein structures and dynamic behavior. This technique promises to solve the shapes of more than 80,000 proteins in a static state and offer clues on individual components of mixtures.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and international team develop method to control spin orientation in magnetic nanodisks, enabling four-bit storage and potential for faster, more energy-efficient devices. Smaller disk sizes show promise for faster switching times.
Scientists have developed an artificial forest of semiconductor light absorbers, interfacial layers, and co-catalysts to mimic natural photosynthesis. The system achieved a 0.12-percent solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency, but further improvements are needed for commercial use.
Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers have made a breakthrough in biofuel production by developing an enzyme-free ionic liquid pre-treatment method. This technique reduces the cost of producing advanced biofuels and decreases water consumption, making it a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have improved the performance of nanoscale magnetic field sensors using diamond defects, enabling clocks accurate to within a few quadrillionths of a second. The discovery may also enable rotational sensors quicker and more tolerant of extreme temperatures than current gyroscopes.
New research predicts boreal forests will shift north, releasing more trapped carbon than current climate models predict. The approach considers random events like fire and drought that impact forest health, providing a more accurate forecast.
Berkeley Lab physicists measure antimatter gravity using an experimental method that could point to much greater precision in future tests. The study's findings show that measuring antimatter gravity is possible and may lead to definitive answers about antigravity.
Researchers developed a structural comparison map for small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), enabling quick identification of protein structures under various conditions. This technique highlights factors making the biggest difference in structural conformations, allowing for high-throughput screening and tracking of trends.
Berkeley Lab researchers have developed a new set of metrics for analyzing data acquired via small angle scattering (SAS) experiments with X-rays or neutrons. The new metrics reduce the time required to collect data by up to 20 times, enabling accurate high-throughput and objective analyses of flexible molecular machines that control c...
A computational study discovered several zeolite structures with sufficient methane sorption capacity and selectivity for effective capture. The most promising candidate, SBN, has an extraordinarily high performance for concentrating methane from low-quality natural gas and coal-mine ventilation air.
Researchers use PALM microscopy technique to analyze enzyme cocktails and find specific targets for cellulase synergy. This reveals how different combinations of enzymes can generate synergistic activity, increasing saccharification efficiencies and reducing biofuel production costs.
The US Department of Energy has renewed JBEI's five-year funding at $25 million annually, supporting the development of advanced biofuels. The partnership, led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, aims to enhance national energy security and create clean energy jobs.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab released a guide on planning and financing comprehensive energy upgrades for K-12 schools. The guide covers different financing approaches and contains case studies of successful projects, highlighting the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades in reducing costs and improving student learning environments.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute develop new strategy to enhance polysaccharide deposition in plant cell walls, reducing lignin content and improving sugar release. This breakthrough could increase cell wall content for the pulping industry, bioenergy applications, and improve crop yields.
Researchers used a computer model of integrin to explore its molecular machinery and interactions with the cell environment. The model suggests that integrins cluster together in response to external forces and recruit more integrins when subjected to higher forces.
The Planck observatory's first 15 months of data reveal that the universe is 100 million years older than previously thought, with more matter and less dark energy. Scientists used supercomputing at NERSC to create detailed maps of the relic radiation from the big bang.
Researchers have demonstrated the strongest signal yet of the photonic spin Hall effect using metamaterials, enabling control over light propagation and manipulation of information encoded on polarization. The finding opens up possibilities for new technologies, including highly coveted 'flat lenses' and management of light polarizatio...
The U.S. Planck Team, led by NASA and DOE, generates a massive simulation suite using NERSC's resources to analyze the flood of data from the Planck mission. This allows for precise cosmology results, with 250,000 maps of the sky produced in just 1,000 realizations.
Scientists have found a way to flip the spin polarization of electrons emitted from topological insulators by controlling the polarization of the incident light. This discovery opens up new possibilities for studying and manipulating electronic states in these materials.
Researchers unveil public domain DNA sequences and statistical models to engineer microbes with precision, increasing reliability and accuracy. This technological foundation enables more precise genetic engineering in the future.
Berkeley Lab researchers successfully recreated the elusive atomic collapse state in graphene using artificial nuclei, confirming relativistic quantum mechanics predictions. This breakthrough has significant implications for graphene-based electronic devices and future nanotechnology applications.
Researchers have achieved a major advance in understanding genetic information transcription from DNA to RNA, illuminating critical molecular interactions during the step-by-step process. The study provides new insights into how proteins work together to ensure accurate loading of DNA into Pol II at the start of a gene sequence.
Researchers used the Chemical Dynamics Beamline at Berkeley Lab to examine how photochemistry determines isotope ratios in the solar system. They found that mass-independent processes, such as chemical reactions, could explain differences between Earth and meteorites/solar system elements.
Researchers are exploring X-ray imaging on the attosecond timescale to better understand chemical reactions and interactions. Key findings include the importance of multidimensional nonlinear x-ray spectroscopy and the need for precise beam characteristics.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source are transforming X-ray microscopy into a widely available form of high-resolution imaging. State-of-the-art instruments can create three-dimensional images with elemental and/or chemical sensitivity, allowing for unprecedented insights into biological systems.
Berkeley Lab and SLAC researchers demonstrate simultaneous diffraction/spectroscopy of metalloenzymes using ultrafast, intensely bright X-ray pulses. The study provides critical snapshots of the photosystem II machinery's design principles for artificial light-driven catalysts.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab and Max Planck Institute analyze unique microbial motor, revealing a dynamic play among its components. The study found that the archaellum consists of two parts, with a globular C terminal domain connected to a more variable N terminal domain.
Researchers with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California Berkeley have provided new details on the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a cell surface protein linked to many cancers. The study reveals structural coupling between EGFR transmembrane helix and extracellular juxtamembrane module...
Researchers found evidence of a 'penultimate outburst' in a massive star before its final detonation as a supernova, providing the first causal link between the two events. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of what triggers a supernova.
A high-resolution map of gene regulatory elements in the brain has been created, identifying thousands of enhancer sequences that amplify gene expression. The atlas provides critical information for studying neurological disorders and brain development.
A collaborative study by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy has shown that an ionic liquid proven to be effective for pre-treating individual biofuel feedstocks is also effective at pre-treating multiple different feedstocks that have been mixed and densified into a blend. The study found that blending and densifying a wide...
A new tool devised by Berkeley Lab scientists detects forest mortality patterns and trends using satellite images, simulation modeling, and fieldwork. The study found that 9.1 to 16.9 percent of tree mortality was missing from conventional analyses, equating to over half a million dead trees per year.
Scientists unveil the biochemistry of a unique microbial community living together in a cold sulfur spring, revealing symbiotic relationships between archaea and bacteria. The study uses synchrotron infrared to identify metabolic activities and protein structures, shedding light on a previously unknown lifestyle.