Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Chemists discover a range of environmental contaminants in fracking wastewater

Researchers have found toxic and carcinogenic contaminants in untreated fracking wastewater samples, including organic chemicals and metallic elements. The study provides critical information for regulatory agencies to fine-tune guidelines on safe treatment and disposal of fracking wastewater.

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Illinois musicians, chemists use sound to better understand science

Researchers at the University of Illinois used sonification to analyze data and teach protein folding, leading to a new discovery about protein folding mechanisms. Musicians collaborated with chemists to create audio-mapped visualizations that complemented traditional views, increasing intuition for experts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2022

Key amino acid in heme production helps fight aging in muscles

A dietary supplement combining 5-aminolevulinic acid and sodium ferrous citrate helps slow down aging-related muscular decline in fruit flies. The study reveals improved muscle architecture and mitochondrial function, offering a potential therapeutic option to address age-related muscle health.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalFEBS Open Bio·DateFeb 5, 2022

Study identifies new way to attack herpesviruses

Researchers have identified two new compounds that can inhibit the replication of human herpesviruses by targeting specific enzymes. This breakthrough offers new opportunities for developing agents against herpesviruses, which are currently difficult to treat effectively.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

Unfolding the blindness proteins through fly eyes

Scientists have identified a crucial mechanism for Rhodopsin production in fruit flies, which may lead to a better understanding of retinitis pigmentosa and vision loss. The study reveals that the EMC protein complex is essential for the proper folding and insertion of Xport-A, a key chaperone of Rhodopsin.

SourceInstituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa ITQB NOVA·JournalEMBO Reports·DateDec 17, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Keto diet may not work for women

Researchers at University of California - Riverside are studying the keto and intermittent fasting diets on a molecular level, finding that women may metabolize fat differently than men. The study aims to understand why keto diet may not be effective for women and how it affects their overall health.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateDec 8, 2021

Advanced microscopes help scientists understand how cells break down proteins

Researchers from the University of Chicago used cryo-electron microscopy to study protein degradation in yeast, describing the structure of a key enzyme involved in ubiquitination. The study provides new insights into the process and its potential role in human diseases such as aging and neurodegeneration.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 17, 2021

Breaking down glycosides in the gut and in Nature

Scientists identified multiple enzymes involved in C-glycoside metabolism, revealing a common reaction mechanism in both intestinal and soil bacteria. This discovery could provide insight into how the body breaks down these molecules and potentially lead to new treatments for diseases.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Palmitic acid promotes cancer metastasis and leaves a more aggressive “memory” in tumour cells

A diet rich in palmitic acid makes tumor cells more aggressive and increases their metastatic capacity, a process that is responsible for 90% of cancer deaths. Exposure to palmitic acid leads to permanent epigenetic modifications in tumor cells, allowing them to conserve metastatic capacity even after the fatty acid is removed.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

The Southern Ocean’s role in driving global carbon cycle stronger than expected

Scientists from Stellenbosch University found that phytoplankton are active during winter in the Southern Ocean, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery improves predictive global climate models and sheds light on adaptation strategies of phytoplankton under adverse growth conditions.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalMarine Chemistry·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2021

Soil microorganism provides clues into the breakdown of natural red dye

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have identified a soil microorganism that initiates the breakdown of carminic acid, a natural red dye extracted from insects. The discovery provides insight into the chemical reaction and its occurrence in nature.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2021

The first cells might have used temperature to divide

A new study proposes that protocells, the putative ancestors of modern living cells, used temperature differences to divide. This simple mechanism could underlie the growth and self-replication of these early cells.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study shows evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in Southern China

A new study reveals evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China, with ancient pots found at a burial site containing residues consistent with beer fermentation. The discovery suggests that ritualized drinking played a significant role in forging social relationships and cooperation among ancient communities.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 2021

Piecework at the nano assembly line

Researchers at TUM have developed a novel electric propulsion technology for nanorobots, allowing them to move at speeds 100,000 times faster than traditional biochemical processes. This breakthrough enables the creation of molecular assembly lines, paving the way for future nanotechnology applications.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Insights into closed enzymes

Scientists at the University of Konstanz and Umea University have successfully generated a structural model of the adenylate kinase enzyme in its closed state. This breakthrough allows researchers to analyze the precise moment when the enzyme is biochemically active, shedding light on its biochemical mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2017

Enzyme-free krebs cycle may have been key step in origin of life on Earth

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute demonstrate a network of chemical reactions mimicking the Krebs cycle, a crucial process in cellular life. The findings suggest an enzyme-free metabolic pathway could have emerged four billion years ago, sparking the development of life on Earth.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 13, 2017

Discovery about protein structure opens window on basic life process

Biochemists at Oregon State University have made a fundamental discovery about protein structure that sheds light on how proteins fold and change shape. The findings reveal the first direct views of specific details of one aspect of protein folding in a way that had not been considered possible.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 16, 2015

Computational tool offers new insight into key biological processes

Researchers developed an algorithm to identify functional modules and relationships between metabolites, reactions, and enzymes in biochemical pathways. The tool enables life scientists to target their research efforts on critical groups most likely to improve our ability to understand and control important biological processes.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Cybernetics·DateMar 6, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Scientists aim for green production of medications via cell engineering

Rice University professors Ka-Yiu San and George Bennett have developed an eco-friendly bacterial process to speed up pharmaceutical production and reduce costs. The new method uses metabolically engineered E. coli cells to continually replenish the supply of NADPH, a critical cofactor in forming chiral compounds.

SourceRice University·DateAug 25, 2008

Process may help scientists find new antibacterial drugs

A new process for making beta-lactam compounds could facilitate the creation of new antibacterial drugs, overcoming cost and chirality challenges. The process uses quinine as a catalyst to produce large batches of beta-lactams with desirable properties.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 27, 2000

Penn study shows that head trauma produces Alzheimer's-like neurodegeneration

Researchers found that brain trauma causes microscopic damage in the brain, leading to the formation of Alzheimer's-like plaques. The study supports previous evidence linking brain trauma to increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology·DateAug 31, 1999

Two-for-one special: industrial enzymes and food

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have created a new method to produce valuable industrial enzymes in plants, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The process uses transgenic potato plants to generate cellulase enzymes, which can be used in various applications, including food processing and pharmaceuticals.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJul 12, 1999

Engineered Bacteria Scavenge Heavy Metals

Researchers have engineered E. coli bacteria to scavenge heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, zinc, nickel, or manganese from very dilute solutions, reducing contamination to the lowest detectable level

SourceCornell University·DateMar 28, 1999
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.