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DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory


Reading the signs: Plants and animals found common ground in response to microbial threats

Researchers have discovered that plants and animals share remarkably similar mechanisms to detect molecular signatures of infectious organisms, which could lead to new treatments for human diseases. The study's findings highlight the potential for inter-specific transfer of engineered receptors to confer resistance to various pathogens.

Berkeley Lab scientists open electrical link to living cells

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have designed an electrical link to living cells, allowing for the transfer of electrons across a cell membrane. This breakthrough could yield cells that can read and respond to electronic signals, leading to new biotechnologies such as self-replicating solar batteries and more efficient energy production.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2010

Putting a spin on light and atoms

Researchers have improved alkali-vapor magnetometer measurements by maintaining spin polarization for over 60 seconds at room temperature, a two-orders-of-magnitude improvement. The technique involves coating the glass vapor cell with an antirelaxation coating to reduce magnetic fluctuations and collisions among atoms.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 16, 2010

A cellular housekeeper, and potential target of obesity drugs, caught in action

Scientists have obtained the closest look yet at how a gargantuan molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The research provides valuable clues on how the enzyme, tripeptidyl peptidase II, keeps cells tidy and disease-free.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateAug 2, 2010

Global model confirms: Cool roofs can offset carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate global warming

A new study using a global model confirms that implementing cool roofs and pavements in cities can cancel the heating effect of up to two years of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking 300 million cars off the road. This can help delay warming and mitigate global climate change.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 19, 2010

Following the sugar right from the start

Researchers have successfully attached imaging probes to glycans in zebrafish embryos just seven hours after fertilization, allowing for the first-ever images of glycan activity on embryonic cells. This new technique enables scientists to study physiological changes during embryogenesis without damaging the embryos.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2010