The study predicts that regions like Canada, the central US, Australia, and parts of Africa are ideal for future hydrogen production. These areas have sufficient wind resources, open spaces, and low solar radiation levels to support electrolysis-based hydrogen production.
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have improved the resolution of a process known as photolithography, enabling the creation of even denser circuit patterns. This breakthrough could lead to more powerful and compact computers, with potential applications in autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and 5G standard.
Researchers investigated the relationship between protein aggregation and liquid-liquid phase separation, finding that droplet formation may actually protect against aggregation. The study, led by Paul Scherrer Institute, used over 500 conditions to test the behavior of alpha-synuclein proteins.
Researchers from PSI and ETH Zurich studied connexin-36 gap junction channels and found that antimalarial drug mefloquine binds to the channels, potentially explaining its severe side effects. The study provides new insights into how drugs interact with connexins and may lead to the development of therapies for neurological diseases.
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute have precisely characterized the styrene oxide isomerase enzyme, enabling the production of valuable chemicals and drug precursors in an environmentally friendly manner. The enzyme's unique mechanism and high specificity make it a promising tool for green chemistry.
A study led by the Paul Scherrer Institute reveals that incomplete combustion and biomass burning are major contributors to New Delhi's air pollution. The research found that particulate matter in the air causes oxidative stress, leading to illnesses such as asthma and hypertension.
Researchers discovered charge fractionalisation in an iron-based metallic ferromagnet using laser ARPES spectroscopy, revealing collective excitations and quasiparticles. The study challenges fundamental quantum mechanics by showing electrons can behave as independent entities with fractionally charged pockets.
Researchers have proved the existence of altermagnetism, a new type of magnetism that offers distinct advantages for next-generation magnetic memory technology. Altermagnets exhibit strong spin-dependent phenomena like ferromagnets while possessing zero net magnetization.
Researchers found that global warming made the Corbassière glacier unusable as a climate archive, destroying reliable information about past climate and air pollution. The glacier's ice core showed flattened concentration curves and lower amounts of trace substances, likely due to meltwater washing away the deposits.
Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute created solid-state qubits from rare-earth ions in a crystal, showing that long coherences can exist in cluttered environments. The approach uses strongly interacting pairs of ions to form qubits, which are shielded from the environment and protected from decoherence.
PSI researchers develop antibody-like proteins that accelerate Botox's effects on nerve signals, suggesting faster pain relief. The discovery opens new options for therapeutic use of botulinum toxin A1 in treating conditions like cramping muscles and faulty nerve signals.
Scientists at Paul Scherrer Institute achieve breakthrough in detecting developing tumors at an early stage and monitoring therapy success. They used artificial intelligence to analyze blood cell chromatin, distinguishing between healthy and sick cells with high accuracy, and identifying tumor types with over 85% precision.
Scientists have discovered how atoms and spins move together in electromagnons, a hybrid excitation that can be controlled with light. The study used time-resolved X-ray diffraction to reveal the atomic motions and spin movements, showing that atoms move first and then the spins fractionally later.
Researchers at PSI and ETH Zurich successfully transplanted mechanically reprogrammed fibroblasts into a model of old, damaged skin tissue, revealing that the tissue can be rejuvenated and injuries heal faster. The technique uses spatially confined conditions to erase functional errors accumulated by aged cells during the aging process.
Using a new technique, researchers created the first 3D tomograms of a ceramic object being printed using laser-based powder bed fusion, revealing detailed information about the manufacturing process. The findings will help improve this promising technology and provide valuable insights for future applications.
Researchers at PSI have identified sesquiterpenes as a major factor in cloud formation, which could reduce uncertainties in climate models. The study's findings suggest these compounds form ten times more particles than other organic substances.
A team of researchers has developed a new method for detecting breast cancer using X-ray phase contrast imaging, which increases the resolution of images by up to 45% while reducing the radiation dose. This improvement enables earlier detection of small calcium deposits and improves the chances of survival for women with breast tumors.
Soft particles called microgels can shrink abruptly when their concentration in a solvent is increased above a certain threshold, even without physical contact. Researchers have provided experimental proof of this phenomenon using neutrons from the Paul Scherrer Institute's SINQ spallation source.
Air traffic cannot become climate-neutral solely by replacing fossil fuels with synthetic ones; reductions in air traffic are necessary. Non-CO2 effects, like particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, play a major role in aviation's overall climate impact.
Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a beamline modification called momentum cooling to increase the transmission of proton beams, allowing for shorter treatment times. This breakthrough could enable faster treatments while maintaining accuracy and sparing healthy tissue, with potential benefits including reduced costs...
Researchers used cryo-electron tomography to study the dynein motor protein, revealing new details about how it generates force and coordinates with other proteins. This knowledge may help develop treatments for diseases related to cilia dysfunction, such as fertility issues and lung disease.
Physicists have discovered that phonons, quasiparticles describing crystal lattice vibrations, can exhibit chirality - a fundamental concept with implications for material properties. Using circular X-ray light, researchers observed corkscrew motions of phonons in quartz, revealing the phenomenon of chiral phonons.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can be used to evaluate measurements at X-ray free-electron lasers, improving the precision of protein film analysis. The new method, called low-pass spectral analysis (LPSA), mitigates errors in protein movement reconstruction, allowing for more detailed information to be extracted from data.
Researchers from PSI deciphered the structure of an ion channel found in the eye while interacting with calmodulin, a protein that enables cell response to calcium fluctuations. This interaction is believed to be responsible for achieving remarkable sensitivity to dim light.
An international team of researchers has successfully demonstrated the formation of fullerene and its derivatives in the universe. The reaction involves a corannulene radical and vinyl acetylene, which deposit layers of carbon onto each other to form the desired molecules.
The study found that a microscopic change in a protein in the retina occurs within a fraction of a trillionth of a second, triggering the perception of light. This process involves the transformation of a molecule called retinal from its 11-cis form to its all-trans form, which takes just one picosecond.
Researchers found that wood burning is the trigger for high particulate matter levels in New Delhi at night, producing a unique mixture of gases. These gases condense and form particles when temperatures drop, contributing to the city's notorious smog.
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a film that demonstrates the potential of photopharmacology in treating diseases such as cancer. The new approach uses light to switch on and off a molecular photoswitch, allowing for targeted and reversible drug action.
Physicists at Paul Scherrer Institute have found a way to tune the temperature of an unusual type of superconductor. By applying pressure, they were able to change the characteristics of the superconductivity from a 'nodal' structure to a 'nodeless' one, opening up possibilities for engineering quantum materials.
Researchers discovered a smart molecular glue formed by proteins clinging to microtubules, enabling nucleus positioning during cell division. The 'glue' enables mechanical forces to be transduced as desired, with flexible properties allowing it to withstand tension.
Scientists have developed an AI method to pinpoint cells indicative of Alzheimer's disease based on DNA packing in mouse brain images, offering a potential early detection tool. This approach combines multi-scale imaging with artificial intelligence to identify biomarkers for aging-related diseases.
Researchers studying exotic atom muonium aim to detect deviations from the Standard Model, which could reveal new physics. By measuring energy levels with unprecedented precision, they may uncover evidence for additional particles or forces that explain the muon's misbehavior.
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute use advanced microscopy to visualize fine details in Zwischgold, a highly advanced medieval material. The technique reveals the structure and composition of the material, shedding light on its production methods.
Researchers develop molecular trick to detach radioactive substance from drug, allowing it to be excreted in urine. This approach enables efficient detection of tumors while minimizing harm to kidneys.
Researchers from PSI, EPFL, and the University of Geneva developed a new method to distinguish between mirror-image molecules using helical dichroism. This approach provides stronger signals compared to circular dichroism (CD), which is widely used but has weak signals suitable only for gas-phase samples.
Researchers from ETH Zürich and Paul Scherrer Institute gained unprecedented insight into the complex mechanism of converting CO2 to carbon neutral fuels. Using sophisticated analytical techniques, they identified two distinct reaction pathways, one driven by methyl radicals and another by oxygenated species, which shed light on how me...
A European map of aerosol pollution has been created to help improve human health by identifying the main sources of fine dust. The study found that residential heating with solid combustibles and traffic are major contributors to air pollution, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.
Electronic nematicity, a key feature of iron-based superconductors, is primarily driven by spin excitations in FeSe. The study uses RIXS to reveal the spin anisotropies underlying this phenomenon, shedding light on its origin and potential impact on high-temperature superconductivity.
The Paul Scherrer Institute and Italian Institute of Technology have developed a novel substance called Todalam that disables tubulin, a protein essential for cell division. In cell cultures, Todalam kills cells, making it a promising starting point for developing an anti-cancer drug.
Scientists at Paul Scherrer Institute have observed artificial spin ice structures aligning with temperature changes, revealing a complex phase transition. The discovery could lead to novel high-speed computers with low power consumption.
A team of PSI scientists has developed an achromatic X-ray lens for the first time, allowing researchers to study nanostructures with high resolution. The innovative lens, which combines two optical principles, enables compact X-ray microscopes that can be operated on industry premises.
Researchers have created and detected dispersing excitons in a metal using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a breakthrough that could enable efficient data transmission. The discovery of mobile excitons in TaSe3 reveals their mobility and potential to revolutionize electronics.
Researchers at PSI's Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy have discovered strong evidence of exotic charge order and orbital currents in a correlated kagome superconductor. The findings provide a new insight into unconventional superconductivity and its relationship with the quantum anomalous Hall effect.
A study led by Przemyslaw Nogly at PSI has detailed insight into the mechanism of a light-driven chloride pump in bacteria, revealing how light energy converts to kinetic energy and transports chloride ions inside cells. The pump uses two molecular gates to ensure one-way transport, with the process taking around 100 milliseconds.
The new test, developed at the Paul Scherrer Institute, uses a novel functional principle to provide reliable results on Covid-19 disease progression and its course. It can also detect other diseases and Covid variants, offering more predictive power than existing rapid antigen tests.
Scientists have compared electron distribution in two semiconductors to develop stable topological quantum bits for quantum computing. Indium antimonide shows a low electron density below its oxide layer, which is advantageous for forming Majorana fermions and creating compact, efficient quantum computers.
The study reveals the three-dimensional structure of the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channel, which helps detect light in the eye. The discovery may lead to new treatments for genetic disorders like retinitis pigmentosa, where photoreceptors die off and people go blind.
A composite material consisting of superconducting and semiconducting materials has been discovered, enabling the integration of quantum devices into semiconductor technology. This breakthrough could lead to significant improvements in data transmission bandwidth, energy efficiency, and information security.
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have discovered a combination of rapamycin and a radiopharmaceutical that can effectively inhibit tumour growth, improving treatment outcomes for medullary thyroid cancer. The new therapy uses mini-gastrin coupled with lutetium-177 to target cancer cells more efficiently.
Researchers at PSI have developed a platform to measure biased signalling in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), enabling selective therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. By testing specially designed bivalent ligands, they can bias signalling towards desired pathways.