Articles tagged with Biochemical Engineering
A new review article proposes redefining watershed aquatic ecosystem health as a combined social–ecological property. The authors emphasize the need to integrate biological integrity, habitat structure, and governance for anticipatory decision-making and process-oriented governance.
Researchers found that lab variations can lead to inconsistent data, affecting AI model accuracy and reproducibility. The study highlights the importance of standardization in experimental design to improve data quality for machine learning models.
A new study by Dr. Wu Yuan's team reveals that retinal AI can lose accuracy in high-altitude populations due to altitude-associated domain shift. MIXFound, a lightweight framework, offers a practical solution to improve robustness and correct for these differences.
Researchers have developed a biohybrid system that uses photosynthetic microorganisms entrapped in nanocellulose films to produce ethylene. The system remains productive for over four months with minimal water and energy requirements, making it a promising technology for sustainable chemical production.
Scientists from the University of Osaka created an autonomous solid-state nanopore that can sense molecules, generate electrical signals, and retain memories of recent events. The device continuously changes its structure through chemical reactions, creating a dynamic sensing environment that responds to molecules passing through it.
Rice University professor develops inexpensive process for thiophosphate synthesis, reducing the cost of phosphorylation by up to 90%. This breakthrough opens new avenues for drug design and could lead to more efficient production of genetically targeted therapies.
Researchers have developed a way to quickly create customizable synthetic blood vessel grafts in just minutes using additive manufacturing. The new technique, called Focused Rotary Jet Spinning, allows for precise control over diameter and wall thickness, making it ideal for acute trauma situations and complex pediatric heart surgeries.
Researchers at KAIST have created an antibody that precisely targets intracellular cancer mutations using computational methods. The antibody selectively recognizes only cancer cells carrying the KRAS(G12D) mutation, demonstrating its potential for precision antibody therapeutics.
A new 'Hydrology–Environment–Ecology' framework bridges aquatic and terrestrial ecological risk assessment for lake conservation. The framework reveals significant increasing trends in both aquatic and terrestrial ecological risks from 2000 to 2019, with habitat quality identified as the key risk indicator.
Researchers have developed ultrathin, invisible on-skin electrodes that can measure biological signals without altering appearance or social interactions. These new sensors achieve this by closely matching the appearance and texture of natural skin, reducing reflections and eliminating visibility.
Recent studies have expanded our understanding of immune checkpoint functions, revealing their involvement in systemic immune homeostasis and broader inflammatory networks. Aberrant IC regulation has been linked to various conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic inflammation.
A new study found that bacteria in contaminated brick kiln soils reorganize their communities, strengthen stress-response functions, and activate detoxification genes. This understanding can help design more effective microbial restoration strategies for industrial sites.
A POSTECH research team has created an automated, modular system for assembling reconstituted cell-free systems, significantly reducing costs by 95% and preparation time to 2 days. This innovation enables the customization of individual components, paving the way for improved biologically engineered high-value therapeutics.
A new study shows that liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers can substantially improve pasture yield, nutrient balance and farm-level economic returns. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest performance, increasing pasture yield by 42.20 t ha⁻¹.
Researchers designed artificial proteins that simultaneously form pentagonal and hexagonal arrangements to create virus-like structures. These structures can stably carry drugs, genetic materials, and enzymes within their interior space.
A new study transforms agricultural waste from lavender straw into a highly sensitive biochar-based sensor for ethylene glycol detection. The sensor material exhibits exceptional room-temperature performance, a low detection limit of 0.36 ppm, and long-term stability.
Biomedical and veterinary laboratories in Benin were found to have severe deficiencies in staff training, standard experimental practices, and emergency preparation. The study's findings highlight the need for localized biosafety codes, regular tiered training, and improved lab infrastructure to enhance pathogen containment.
A neural network-based machine learning model accelerates diffuse optical tomography by over a million-fold, enabling real-time diagnosis. The model accurately reproduces signals even for unseen parameter combinations, with each inference taking approximately 2 milliseconds.
A new study published in Biochar shows that the temperature used to produce biochar plays a decisive role in controlling nitrogen losses during food waste digestate composting. Hardwood biochar made at 400 °C reduced total nitrogen loss by 46.3% compared with composting without biochar, outperforming biochars made at 300 °C and 800 °C.
Researchers developed amine-functionalized biochar/cellulose acetate hybrid membranes using microalgae biomass, improving water filtration and reducing foulant adhesion. The modified membranes achieved a water flux of 169.1 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and 64.1% removal of natural organic matter.
Shandong University researchers have developed MuSE-Promoter, a deep learning framework that integrates multiple complementary ways of looking at DNA sequences. The method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art tools in challenging cross-cell-line transfer and promoter-enhancer discrimination tasks.
Recent advancements in animal models, organoid models, and bioengineered organoids have provided new tools for studying primary sclerosing cholangitis. These models replicate the effects of bile retention and inflammation, enabling studies of disease mechanisms, drug screening, and preclinical evaluation.
Researchers found that smoking substantially stiffens human lung parenchyma, making breathing progressively difficult. The study provides detailed mechanical data for human lungs, which may improve ventilator design and surgical planning tools.
Researchers develop automated plasma-bubble technology that intensifies cold plasma-liquid interaction to transform industrial wastewater into a reusable fertigation medium. The technology fixes vital bioavailable nitrogen in wastewater, reducing organic loads and suspended particles while increasing plant growth rates.
The university has established two new centers: the Center for Quality of All Lives and the Entrepreneurship Center. The former focuses on improving animal welfare and developing innovative veterinary-related devices, while the latter promotes entrepreneurial thinking and supports startup development.
Researchers highlight engineered biochar as a promising material for capturing carbon dioxide, overcoming limitations of raw biochar through rational engineering. Heteroatom doping improves interactions with CO2 molecules, increasing adsorption efficiency.
A research group developed an optimized signal transmission system for implantable medical devices, improving accuracy and strength of wireless signals. The approach uses ultra-wideband communication to coordinate multiple implants and reduce signal distortion, enabling more effective healthcare applications.
Researchers at UCF used human-on-a-chip technology to study how genetic mutations associated with familial Alzheimer's affect movement. They found that motor deficits may be an early indication of Alzheimer's disease, which could help delay central nervous system symptoms.
Researchers developed an ovarian follicle-based angiogenesis microphysiological system that forms complex 3D vascular networks without exogenous VEGF. The platform enables direct visualization and quantitative analysis of vascular remodeling, allowing for the rapid identification of anti-angiogenic compounds with meaningful in vivo act...
Researchers discovered that carefully selecting the temperature used to produce biochar can optimize both environmental performance and compost quality. Biochar produced at a moderate temperature achieved the optimal balance between ammonium adsorption and microbial nitrification, resulting in a 46.3% reduction in total nitrogen loss.
Researchers created a novel material by converting microalgae biomass into biochar and modifying it with amine functional groups, producing hybrid filters with enhanced purification performance. The new membranes achieved better pollutant rejection and improved resistance to fouling.
Microalgae are transformed into functionalized composite bioproducts for precision diagnosis, targeted therapy, and integrated theranostics. They offer exceptional biological properties for biomedical engineering, including molecular loading, active movement, and intense autofluorescence for imaging applications.
A new microscopy method can distinguish lipid species in living cells using mid-infrared illumination and optoacoustic detection, producing a unique spectral fingerprint. This approach eliminates the need for chemical labels, reducing stress on cells and enabling real-time lipid mapping.
Researchers developed a new wound dressing material that releases antibiotics on-demand when harmful bacteria are present, promoting better infection clearance and wound healing. The smart hydrogel holds tightly to its antibiotic cargo until degradation is triggered by the presence of beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.
A new study reveals that transforming biomass from dedicated energy crops into biochar could provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping China move closer to its carbon neutrality goals. Biochar can lock carbon in soils for decades or even centuries while improving soil health.
Scientists have developed a light-activated material that can convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a key building block for fuels and chemicals, using sunlight and water. The material, which combines ideas from biology and materials science, produces CO extremely efficiently with no detectable by-products.
A conductive bioglue was developed to ensure firm adhesion and stable electrical signaling within the human body. It overcomes challenges in connecting damaged tissues or attaching bioelectronic devices, promoting muscle and nerve regeneration and stable implant stability.
Researchers engineered a dual metal modified biochar composite to enhance microbial electrochemical interactions and increase hydrogen yield. The study demonstrates the potential of biochar as an efficient electron mediator in light driven fermentation systems.
Researchers developed a machine-learning system that predicts how molecules form, cutting lab work time from months to days and reducing costs. The system uses asymmetric cross-coupling reactions to build complex compounds and can be applied across fields, deepening our understanding of chemistry.
Researchers created eco-friendly, high-performance gas sensors with blended polymer films combining poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly(butylene succinate). The sensors demonstrated stable performance and higher sensitivity to nitrogen dioxide and other gases.
BioPathNet is an AI method that analyzes large biomedical knowledge graphs to identify hidden connections between genes, diseases, and drugs. The model proposes hypotheses that can be tested experimentally or clinically, providing a hypothesis-generating tool for researchers.
Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered the cause of fluctuating metabolic activity in microorganisms and developed strategies to optimize bioproduction. They found that fluctuations in enzyme expression account for most of the variability in betaxanthin production.
Scientists developed a cost-effective method to produce 3-Hydroxypropanoic acid (3-HP), an industrial chemical used in disposable diapers, microplastics, and acrylic paint. The new process using engineered microbes to ferment plant sugars into 3-HP has been validated for commercial potential.
The researchers created tiny, microorganism-inspired particles that can change their shape and self-propel in response to electrical fields. These particles could be used as microrobots to deliver medications or build dynamic materials that are responsive and self-healing.
Researchers have found that twisted growth in plants is not due to null mutations, but rather changes in gene expression in the epidermis layer. This discovery could help crops thrive in challenging conditions with rocky soils.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new material that uses metal-organic frameworks to physically injure and kill bacteria, preventing biofilm formation without antibiotics or toxic metals. This innovation eliminates the risk of antibiotic resistance and has potential applications in various industries.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to converting waste carbon into useful products using porous separators called diaphragms. These diaphragms can withstand the harsh conditions of the process and maintain efficiency over an extended period, making them a viable alternative to existing membranes.
The University of Houston is designing robotic hands with dexterity for industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. The team, part of the NSF Convergence Accelerator program, has received $5 million in funding to develop hybrid polymeric materials that can mechanically retract and perform motions like flexion.
A machine learning model developed by Dr. Lan Mu's team at Tianjin University of Commerce predicts biochar yield and nutrient content with stunning accuracy, unlocking smart soil solutions for healthier soils, cleaner ecosystems, and smarter farming.
A WSU-led study has discovered two promising cover crops that can be sold as a biofuel source and won't harm the soil. Triticale and hairy vetch showed promising results in Western and Central Washington fields, providing stable yields at low costs while adding nitrogen to the soil.
Researchers at UC Irvine have developed a 3D human colon model integrated with bioelectronics to aid in colorectal cancer research and drug discovery. The model shows promising results in detecting resistance to chemotherapy drugs, making it a potential alternative to traditional animal testing.
Researchers have generated a new ring-shaped protein nanomaterial capable of strongly binding to and neutralizing the SARS-CoV2 virus. The system can integrate therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities and be adapted to combat other viruses.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an eco-friendly technology to rapidly capture and destroy toxic PFAS in water, outperforming traditional methods. The new approach uses a layered double hydroxide material that can adsorb PFAS with record-breaking efficiency and be reused multiple times.
Researchers have developed a modified biochar made from biogas residue that can efficiently remove ammonium nitrogen from water. The potassium-permanganate-modified biochar achieved an adsorption capacity up to four times greater than unmodified biochar, making it a promising tool for environmental remediation.
A decade-long field study reveals that biochar improves soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity, leading to higher soybean yields. Biochar also reshapes soil microbial communities, promoting beneficial groups and suppressing potential pathogens.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a process that transforms hard-to-recycle polystyrene into a sought-after feedstock for high-quality technical and high-performance polymers. This 'biological upcycling' enables the production of nylon precursors, offering a clear advantage over conventional recycling.
Scientists introduce a new way to control when drugs are active or inactive in the body, potentially developing safer medicines. The technology was applied to create improved molecular sensors, including a rapid coronavirus sensor that responds about 70 times faster than previous protein-based tests.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a new method for creating human rabies vaccines that are stable at high temperatures and can be stored in a dry powder form. This innovation addresses the storage challenges faced by developing countries, where traditional vaccines often require refrigeration or specialized cold storage equipment.
A new hydrogel has been developed to combat vaginal changes caused by menopause, offering a hormone-free alternative for treatment. The study found that the hydrogel improved vaginal tissue thickness and reduced inflammation, providing potential relief from symptoms such as dryness and pain.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a gentler, more sustainable way to break down keratins and turn leftover wool and feathers into useful products. The process uses concentrated lithium bromide to create an environment favorable for spontaneous protein unfolding.