Articles tagged with Cellular Energy
A team of McGill University researchers has developed a method to study energy transport along individual conductive polymer molecules, enabling the development of new technologies. By visualizing energy transport in various conformations, they aim to improve sensors and hybrid organic-inorganic light harvesting materials for solar cells.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania are developing building 'skins' that can adapt to environmental changes, increasing energy efficiency. The project combines insights from cell biology and engineering to create responsive materials.
A research team from Rochester Institute of Technology conducted a life-cycle assessment of organic solar cells, revealing lower embodied energy compared to conventional inorganic devices. The study also found potential benefits for manufacturing, including low-cost solution processing.
MIT researchers found cancer cells use an alternative glycolytic pathway to speed up metabolism and build new cells, which could be exploited to develop new anti-cancer treatments. The discovery sheds light on how cancer cells adapt to rapidly proliferate and highlights potential targets for therapy.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Schock received the prestigious Becquerel Prize for his outstanding work in solar energy technology, particularly in developing efficient thin-film solar cells. His research has led to significant advancements in solar cell efficiency and material combinations, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a novel mechanism that protects plants from freezing temperatures, which could also help understand drought tolerance. The discovery was made in Arabidopsis thaliana, a common mustard weed, and involves the formation of a lipid that retains membrane integrity.
Munich researchers uncover the rocking movement of Hsp90, an unexpected pattern of motion that sheds light on its stability and communication patterns. This discovery may lead to more effective cancer medication with fewer side effects.
Researchers have revealed the mechanisms of the DNA-regulating enzyme PcrA, which controls recombination by removing recombination proteins from the DNA. By combining structure-specific binding and motor function, PcrA reels in DNA and kicks off recombination proteins.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have gained atomic-level insight into how organisms synthesize their major form of chemical energy using the enzyme ATP synthase. The discovery provides a clearer understanding of how these nano-machines function, including the role of water molecules in the rotary mechanism of ATP synthesis.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have uncovered a new role for polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPASE) in regulating the import of RNA into mitochondria. Reducing PNPASE expression impairs mitochondrial energy production and cell growth.
A team of scientists has provided the first atomic-level glimpse of the proton-driven motor from ATP synthases, enzymes central to cellular energy conversion. The study revealed a water molecule in the critical rotor element of a bacterial nano-motor that shares common features with human mitochondria and bacteria.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a new catalyst that could make fuel cells more stable and conk-out free, using platinum nanoparticles on titanium oxide with added tungsten. The material is more stable and less expensive than pure platinum, allowing it to work with hydrogen fuels containing up to 2% carbon monoxide.
Researchers found that an enzyme in the cholera bacteria uses a previously unknown mechanism to provide energy. This discovery offers insights into creating drugs to target the bacteria without harming humans. The study provides new understanding of how living organisms convert energy and transport ions.
Scientists have discovered a new epigenetic mechanism by which AMPK regulates gene expression, allowing direct control of cellular processes such as sugar storage and insulin production. This finding holds promise for the development of new therapies for diseases like diabetes and cancer.
The current standard of care for brain cancer triggers biological responses that may feed the disease, according to Boston College researchers. This can lead to an escalation of conditions favorable to tumor cell survival and growth.
Researchers at Risoe National Laboratory and Topsoe Fuel Cell will create prototypes of solid oxide fuel cells that meet market standards by 2012. The new project focuses on improving cell performance, durability, and production processes to reduce costs and emissions.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of solar cells, capable of harnessing more energy from sunlight. By using quantum dots and titanium dioxide, they can capture and transfer excess electrons, leading to potentially higher efficiencies. However, further research is needed to eliminate energy loss in the next step.
Scientists have discovered a method to capture higher energy sunlight lost as heat in conventional solar cells, potentially increasing efficiency to over 66%. Quantum dots made of lead selenide have been found to transfer hot electrons to an electron conductor, enabling the capture of this energy.
A Colorado State University biologist discovered a nutrient that activates a neurological pathway driving food intake in hibernating marmots. By releasing the molecule AICAR, researchers found the animals' appetite is stimulated when energy levels within cells are low, mimicking human obesity and eating disorders.
The Office of Naval Research has selected nine researchers to receive funding for their innovative energy projects, aiming to help the Navy decrease its reliance on fossil fuels. The winners will use up to $100,000 to develop technologies such as solar power and microbial energy generation.
Researchers found pyrophosphite, a molecule similar to ATP, could transfer energy without enzymes. This discovery suggests that pyrophosphite played a role in the emergence of complex biology and potentially provided power for early lifeforms.
Researchers from the University of Miami have discovered that purple bacteria adapt their cell designs to different light intensities, maximizing energy conversion. Their study develops a mathematical model to describe this phenomenon and predicts optimal conditions for solar panels.
Scientists have created a new technology that converts chemical energy to fuel cells for micro-machines and sensors, saving energy and producing more power than smaller batteries. The thermopower wave devices use carbon nanotubes and are already generating attention due to their non-toxic nature.
The inaugural issue of OSA's Energy Express highlights research on solar concentrators, which aim to increase the efficiency of solar energy generation. New devices and technologies are being developed to concentrate sunlight, making solar power more economical and efficient.
Researchers have developed a new form of platinum that could make cheaper and more efficient fuel cells. The process, which uses a copper-platinum alloy, reduces the amount of platinum required in fuel cells from 100 grams to just 20 grams, potentially enabling widespread adoption.
Researchers have developed a microbial fuel cell that can generate electricity from mud and wastewater using the tiny Geobacter microbe, which uses its hair-like extensions to produce power. The technology has potential applications in powering autonomous underwater vehicles and tracking ocean life.
Researchers are working on new parts, an electric demonstration model, and a networked battery system to address challenges in electromobility. The goal is to provide maximum capacity, energy efficiency, and reliability for electric vehicles.
Researchers at Stanford University have successfully harnessed a tiny electric current from algae cells using a unique nanoelectrode. This discovery could lead to the development of high-efficiency bioelectricity with zero carbon emissions. However, further improvements are needed to scale up the process and make it economically feasible.
Researchers have designed an experimental drug called OSU-CG12 that kills cancer cells by choking off their energy supply. The agent targets a survival mechanism used by many types of cancer, and its efficacy is 10 times better than a comparable drug, resveratrol.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a molecular image of a system that moves electrons between proteins in cells, offering insights into minimizing energy loss. This breakthrough has implications for improving energy efficiency in nanoscale devices and grid systems.
Engineers at UCLA have developed a rapid method to detect bacterial contamination in coastal waters, reducing testing time from days to under an hour. The new method uses magnetic beads and enzymes to analyze fecal bacteria levels in real-time, providing up-to-date data on water conditions.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made the closest look yet at kinesin protein's structural changes as it ferries molecules within cells. The high-resolution snapshots show kinesin moving up and down like a seesaw, propelled by an energy-giving compound called ATP.
Researchers discovered a link between antioxidant enzyme deficiency and impaired mitochondrial function, leading to muscle cell death. The findings offer new insights into sarcopenia and neuromuscular diseases, potentially paving the way for future muscle-preserving therapies.
Early life likely arose from gases and geochemical gradients at deep-sea hydrothermal vents, rather than a primordial soup, according to new research. This alternative theory proposes that the first cells harnessed these energy sources to generate ATP through chemiosmosis.
Scientists have identified a new mechanism that helps the body burn more energy, leading to increased fat burning and lean muscle mass. The study suggests that targeting the Fyn kinase enzyme may offer a promising approach for developing new weight loss treatments.
Researchers discovered leukemia cells rely on fatty acid metabolism to grow and survive. Inhibiting this process makes them vulnerable to drugs that induce cell death, providing a potential new approach to treating leukemia and other cancers.
A recent study by Research Australia suggests that relying solely on fat oxidation for weight loss is ineffective. The research found that mice genetically altered to burn fats in preference to carbohydrates still converted unburned carbohydrates into stored fat, ultimately leading to the same weight and body composition as normal mice.
Researchers find that muscles with inefficient energy-burning mechanisms contribute to obesity, proposing a potential anti-obesity strategy involving muscle-targeted treatments. Regular activity or exercise may increase muscle calorie burn, aiding weight control.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that controls energy expenditure in muscles and helps determine body weight. This discovery could lead to a new medical approach in treating obesity by targeting the ATP-sensitive potassium channel function in muscle tissue.
Researchers at MIT have found that chemical energy from ATP controls the shape of red blood cell membranes and determines their membrane vibrations. The study, published in PNAS, provides conclusive evidence that these vibrations require ATP input to occur.
A new, inexpensive method for solar energy storage has been developed, enabling personalized solar energy at the individual or home level. This innovation uses a practical catalyst to split water molecules into hydrogen, producing clean electricity in a fuel cell.
Elena Baena-González will investigate how plants respond to stress and allocate energy stores, aiming to improve crop yields. Her research focuses on the SnRK1 protein, which is conserved across species, including mammals.
David Bocian, a professor of biophysical and materials chemistry at UCR, is leading a research project to develop more efficient solar cells using natural photosynthetic systems. The goal is to create flexible, cost-effective solar cells that can be integrated with textiles.
Two Duke undergraduates, Sarah Steele and Langtian Yuan, identified compounds that inhibit the enzyme protein kinase C zeta (PKCzeta) in brain chemistry changes involved in memory and learning. Their discovery may lead to a new remedy for methamphetamine and cocaine addiction.
Researchers at Monash University have developed a new way to increase the output of next-generation solar cells, achieving a three-fold increase in energy conversion efficiency. The breakthrough uses a new, more efficient type of dye that enables the operation of inverse dye-sensitised solar cells.
The prevalence of high LDL cholesterol levels in the US decreased from 31.5% to 21.2% between 1999-2000 and 2005-2006. However, high-risk individuals still face barriers to screening and treatment, with only 35.5% of those with high LDL-C levels being unscreened in 2005-2006.
Researchers at U of C have discovered a new material that allows PEM fuel cells to work at higher temperatures, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This breakthrough could make fuel cells cheaper to produce and more efficient.
The study reveals a conserved phosphorylation site in CRY1 that allows nutrients to directly alter the rhythm of peripheral clocks. Genetic inactivation of AMPK blocks these effects, confirming that cryptochromes act as energy sensors for circadian clocks.
Researchers at the Max-Planck Institute for Brain Research found that brain cells can generate nerve impulses while being energy efficient. This discovery challenges previous estimates and has implications for understanding brain metabolism and non-invasive brain imaging techniques.
Researchers in the UK create a surface with hydrophobic and hydrophilic sections to move plastic nanoparticles quickly and in specific directions. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in treating diseases by coaxing cells to grow and heal in desired ways.
A new study reveals a molecular circuit involving heme that helps maintain proper metabolism in the body, providing insights into metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. The research identifies Rev-erbα as a key player in regulating heme levels, which is crucial for maintaining energy balance.
The protein Atf4 plays a crucial role in regulating energy generation in osteoblasts, which control biochemical reactions that produce energy. Mice lacking Atf4 exhibit lower fat mass and blood glucose levels due to increased insulin sensitivity, highlighting the importance of Atf4 in glucose metabolism.
A common food additive, Brilliant Blue G, has been identified as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury. The compound stops the cascade of molecular events that cause secondary damage, allowing patients to recover from paralysis. Researchers have successfully tested BBG in rats with spinal cord injuries, showing promising results.
Researchers explore the mathematical underpinnings of PEM fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity with only heat and water byproducts. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of sustainable energy solutions.
Researchers identified the hSDH5 gene as mutated in a hereditary form of paraganglioma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor. The study found that individuals with the mutation are at risk for developing tumors, and genetic testing can help identify those at risk.
By manipulating individual atoms in DNA, Professor Zhen Huang hopes to unlock new avenues for research into DNA replication and transcription. His study reveals that interactions between methyl and phosphate groups can reduce energy needed for DNA duplex separation, potentially leading to improved understanding of genetic processes.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is working on airborne solar cells using flexible films and transparent conductive electrodes. These cells have shown promise in powering small aircraft, and the team hopes to develop large, flexible DSSCs with higher energy conversion efficiency.
Researchers at SRNL are investigating nanostructured coatings to enhance the efficiency of solar cells by reducing reflection. These coatings have shown promise in mimicking nature's ability to absorb light, with potential applications in commercial, home-based, and space-based solar cells.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a new type of molecular nanomotor driven by photons that is simpler and more efficient than previous designs. The nanomotor uses a single molecule of DNA, making it biocompatible and potentially useful for medical devices.
The Department of Energy has established a new Energy Frontier Research Center at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to study catalysis for solar energy and fuel cells. The center will be led by chemist Morris Bullock and will focus on grand challenges in converting electrical energy into chemical bonds and back again.