Researchers created the first 3D map of heart's electrical wiring in Tetralogy of Fallot, a common congenital heart problem. The map reveals anatomical features that may explain heart conduction disorders in this condition.
The Human Organ Atlas offers detailed 3D images of human organs, enabling interactive exploration and understanding of human anatomy and diseases. The atlas, built using advanced imaging techniques, provides insights into various health conditions, including COVID-19, cardiac disorders, and gynecological disorders.
Researchers uncover how light and humidity affect emerald green paint, leading to degradation and brittleness. They propose strategies for preserving and monitoring masterpieces containing this pigment.
Researchers discovered that Atlantic Bluefin tuna primarily rely on the spleen to break down methylmercury, converting it into stable, non-toxic compounds. This process involves selenium binding mercury into complexes that are far less toxic.
Scientists have identified a crystal phase that could theoretically crystallize under Martian core conditions, suggesting the Red Planet may have a solid inner core. This discovery was made using diamond anvil cells and single-crystal diffraction at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
Researchers have mapped the full sequence of protein-protein interactions during iron extraction by Staphylococcus aureus, opening possibilities for developing new treatments. The study used TR-XSS technique to observe the dynamics of IsdB-Hb complex formation and found that iron is extracted only when both Hb chains are bound to IsdB.
Researchers discovered how X-ray microtomography can provide insights into the processes linking gut neurons to brain cells, potentially triggering Alzheimer's. The study found alterations in gut tissues and cell transformations in mice affected with Alzheimer's, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for early detection and treatment.
Researchers at ESRF found a second demethylation pathway for toxic methylmercury in Emperor penguins, involving the formation of a Hg-dithiolate complex. This new mechanism reduces toxicological consequences as long as there is sufficient selenium.
A team of researchers found that early Homo, dating back 1.77 million years, had a prolonged childhood despite having a small brain. This discovery suggests that an extended childhood and cultural transmission in three-generation social groups led to the evolution of larger brains.
Scientists at the University of Washington and Harvard Medical School have discovered the neural circuits that coordinate leg and wing movements in fruit flies. The study uses X-ray holographic nanotomography to map motor neurons controlling legs and wings, revealing pre-motor neurons coordinating motor neuron function.
Researchers discovered that cacao plants store cadmium in calcium oxalate crystals in roots and branches, which helps detoxify the metal. However, this mechanism is less effective in leaves, and more cadmium is transferred to aerial parts.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have found the atomic architecture of the egg coat that permanently blocks polyspermy, a pathologic condition leading to embryo development failure. This discovery reveals genetic mutations causing infertility and holds promise for developing non-hormonal contraceptives.
Scientists have discovered that amyloid-beta oligomers play a role in speeding up mitochondrial energetics during the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. This finding challenges prior research and offers new insights into the potential causes of the incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers used synchrotron techniques to study apatite inclusions in zircon crystals from old magmas, providing insights into the Great Oxidation Event. The findings suggest that sediments affected by an increasingly oxidised atmosphere modified the mantle and shifted the fugacity of magmas towards more oxidised conditions.
Scientists have found a new way plants sense temperature, which could help counteract climate change effects on plant growth and flowering. By understanding how this process works, researchers aim to develop solutions to delay flowering in warmer conditions.
Researchers have found a rare lead compound, lead formate, in Rembrandt's masterpiece The Night Watch, shedding light on the artist's painting techniques and conservation methods. This discovery is significant as it provides new clues about the possible use of lead-based oil paint by Rembrandt.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers has uncovered the mechanism that modifies the connective tissue of the lung in severe COVID-19, revealing a mosaic-like pattern to the damage. The study, published in The Lancet – eBioMedicine, identifies specific blood markers and vascular changes that can predict post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis.
A Jurassic cephalopod, Vampyronassa rhodanica, was likely an active predatory hunter, featuring robust suckers and sensory appendages. Its exceptional soft-tissue preservation provides new insights into the evolution and palaeoecology of vampyroteuthids.
The Chicxulub asteroid's impact, occurring in spring, marked the demise of non-avian dinosaurs and most marine reptiles. The fossilized fish bones revealed seasonal growth patterns and feeding habits that point to a catastrophic extinction event.
Researchers found fossilized embryos of the same species inside eggs, indicating a herd-like behavior. The site showed a well-organized herd structure, with dinosaur babies' fossils near the nests and juveniles grouped together.
A 200-million-year-old South African dinosaur, Heterodontosaurus tucki, breathed by expanding its chest and belly, unlike birds which use air sacs. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of how dinosaurs breathed and could help paleontologists understand what features allowed certain species to survive or go extinct.
A team of scientists, including French researchers, uncovers the operating mechanisms of FAP (Fatty Acid Photodecarboxylase), an enzyme that converts fatty acids into hydrocarbons using light energy. The discovery opens up new opportunities for sustainable biofuel production and fine chemistry applications.
Researchers found that the ECSIT protein regulates the behavior of proteins linked to energy activity in mitochondria, which are affected in Alzheimer's disease. The team also discovered a link between mitochondrial dysfunction, amyloid accumulation, and early disease symptoms.
Researchers at ESRF and UCL are developing a transformational X-ray tomography technology to scan whole human bodies with unprecedented resolution. They aim to enable cellular-level imaging, which could help understand complex diseases like COVID-19.
Researchers analyzed red and black inks from 100-200 AD papyri, finding lead used as a dryer rather than pigment. The discovery sheds light on complex ink recipes and potential connections to Renaissance paint practices.
Researchers have deciphered the movements of platinum atoms leading to surface degradation, enabling the development of more stable catalysts. This breakthrough paves the way for longer-lasting electrochemical energy conversion devices like fuel cells in the transportation sector.
Scientists at ESRF discover new type of critical point in liquid sulfur, allowing for better understanding of liquid-to-liquid transitions and their applications. This breakthrough could open doors to studying the complexity of other important systems like water.
Researchers use advanced X-ray technology to study ancient fish fossils, revealing modern features and challenging previous assumptions about tooth evolution. The findings suggest that the ancestors of modern vertebrates retained a common dental structure, with new teeth added on the inside, contrary to long-held perceptions.
A team of scientists found that moisture triggers degradation of Edvard Munch's masterpiece The Scream, which can be preserved by minimizing exposure to high humidity levels and keeping lighting at standard values. This study provides new knowledge for the conservation strategy of the Munch Museum.
Researchers reconstructed 3D models of baby dinosaur skulls, revealing they develop in the same order as modern reptiles. The embryos were found to be fossilized at approximately 60% through their incubation period, much earlier than previously thought.
Scientists have found a new stable form of plutonium with an unexpected pentavalent oxidation state, which may be crucial for improving the safety of radioactive waste storage. The discovery was made using advanced synchrotron X-ray methods and has significant implications for long-term nuclear waste management.
A global view of lithium-ion battery failure is provided by an international team, offering a diagnostic method for particle utilization and fading. The study uses synchrotron X-ray methods to examine electrodes in batteries at unprecedented resolution, revealing the role of heterogeneity in battery behavior.
Researchers study coelacanth specimens at different stages of cranial development, providing new insights into the biology of this iconic animal. The study reveals unique observations about the development of the living coelacanth skull and brain, and opens up new avenues for research on the evolution of vertebrate heads.
Researchers use X-ray nanotomography to study the 3D structure of coccolithophore calcite shells, revealing correlations between shell mass and organic template size. The findings provide new insights into the role of these tiny microorganisms in the global carbon cycle.
Researchers discovered how a metallodrug reaches cancer cells and attacks them efficiently. The molecule penetrates the cell membrane and targets essential organelles, leading to anticancer activity.
Researchers discovered plumbonacrite, a rare ingredient in historic paint layers, responsible for Rembrandt's unique impasto effect. The study uses advanced X-ray techniques to analyze tiny fragments from masterpieces and provides a path for long-term preservation and conservation.
The ESRF cryo-electron microscope has achieved significant results in its first year, publishing research on the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor. The study revealed the receptor's activation cycle and binding pockets, providing crucial information for developing antinausea drugs.
Researchers used synchrotron microtomography to reveal that Archaeopteryx had adaptations similar to those of modern flying birds, suggesting it could have flown actively. This discovery provides insight into the early evolution of dinosaurian flight and challenges previous assumptions about its lifestyle.
Researchers discovered a unique process to create highly resistant lenses using calcite nanoparticles, mimicking the brittle starfish's ability to produce super-tough glass. This breakthrough could lead to improved materials for optical lenses, automotive turbochargers, and biomaterial implants.
A new genus and species of amphibious dinosaur, Halszkaraptor escuilliei, has been discovered in Mongolia. The fossil, found at Ukhaa Tolgod, exhibits a unique mix of features that suggests it was an aquatic predator, with flipper-like forelimbs and a long neck.
Scientists have found that nanoparticles from tattoos can migrate to the lymph nodes and cause inflammation, leading to potential long-term health problems. The study provides strong evidence for the transport of toxic elements and tattoo pigments, highlighting the need for further research on the safety of tattoo inks.
Researchers studied iron carbonate under extreme conditions to understand the deep Earth's carbon cycle and its role in global warming. They found unprecedented structural stability of a tetracarbonate phase at high pressures, suggesting self-oxidation-reduction reactions can preserve carbonates in the lower mantle.
Researchers successfully resurrected Precambrian β-lactamases to study the emergence of primordial enzymes and explore the creation of novel active sites. The team demonstrated that ancestral protein resurrection enables the generation of new enzyme functions, overcoming current limitations in molecular biology.
Amélie Juhin, a physicist and spectroscopist, has been awarded the ESRF Young Scientist of the Year 2017 prize for her experimental and theoretical studies on resonant X-ray scattering and X-ray dichroism. Her research focuses on probing electronic and magnetic properties of nanoparticles and molecular magnets.
Researchers found that 360-million-year-old Acanthostega fossils were immature individuals, indicating a possible aquatic juvenile stage. The study also revealed differences in limb ossification and size variation between individuals, suggesting potential adaptations for life on land.
Researchers recreate extreme conditions to study melting point of basalt at high depths. They found that the melting point is lower than previously thought, indicating a speedy dissolution back into the Earth's depths. This explains seismic anomalies and provides new insight into the temperature of deep Earth.
Researchers used micron resolution X-ray imaging to study the skull of Romundina, an early armoured fish with jaws. The study shows that the face assembly during the evolutionary transition was a gradual process, with key features emerging before the final shape of the jawed vertebrate face.
Researchers used X-rays to study atomic vibrations in high-temperature superconductors, finding a giant resonance that contradicts the electron-phonon coupling mechanism. This discovery highlights the need for new scenarios to explain high-temperature superconductivity.
Researchers discovered that electrons in cerium dioxide nanoparticles behave like a cloud, distributing themselves over the entire nanoparticle. This finding challenges the traditional model of electron behavior and opens up new avenues for research on nanomaterials.
Researchers analyzed teeth of mice and rats using X-ray beams to study evolutionary processes that led to their characteristic feature. The team identified two key moments in the acquisition of this apparatus, dating back 16 million years.