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New graphene oxide biosensors may accelerate research of HIV and cancer drugs

Researchers have developed a novel type of graphene oxide-based biosensor that can detect biomolecules at a few trillionth of a gram per millimeter square. The sensor's sensitivity is three times higher than commercially available chips, making it ideal for analyzing chemical reactions with small drug molecules.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 22, 2015

Yarn from slaughterhouse waste

A new method for producing high-quality yarn from gelatine has been developed by Philipp Stössel and his team. The process involves spinning the protein-rich material into fine fibers that can be woven into textiles with improved insulation and water resistance compared to traditional wool-based fabrics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJul 29, 2015

New composite material as CO2 sensor

Scientists have developed a new type of sensor using a composite material that interacts with CO2 molecules, changing its conductivity depending on the concentration. The sensor can measure CO2 concentrations over a wide range without requiring high temperatures or energy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 8, 2015

Inanimate beads behave in lifelike ways

Scientists have created microbe-sized beads that can sense their environment and move upstream through purely physical means. The beads meet two essential requirements of life: metabolism and mobility. This discovery is an important step toward developing biomimetic microsystems that can respond to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 1, 2015

Democratizing synthetic biology

A new protein production method developed by Northwestern University researchers makes cell-free protein synthesis faster and cheaper, addressing a technological gap in the field. The approach uses standard lab equipment and produces crude extract catalysts in less time, enabling more researchers to enter the field.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2015

Safe production in Industry 4.0

The Fraunhofer Institute's IT Security Laboratory provides a secured test environment to assess the security of industrial automation systems and develop new defense strategies. Real-time requirements in production facilities necessitate unique IT security measures.

First sensor for 'crowd control' in cells

University of Groningen scientists have created a molecular sensor to measure crowding in living cells, allowing for the quantification of macromolecule concentrations. The sensor uses Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect changes in protein-protein interactions and provides valuable insights into cellular function.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 2, 2015

Software that knows the risks

Researchers at MIT have developed software that assesses risk in planning algorithms, suggesting low-risk alternatives when a solution is not possible. The system uses probabilistic models to determine the feasibility of a plan and can offer modifications to relax constraints or add resources to mitigate risks.