Articles tagged with Cellular Energy
Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered the critical role of small microproteins in assembling larger protein complexes inside energy-generating cell components known as mitochondria. The study highlights how microproteins regulate energy supply and mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction, a feature underlying various diseases.
Researchers at KAUST have discovered that the energy level alignment between donor and acceptor components in organic solar cells is crucial for device performance. Contrary to current belief, blends with little to no difference in one energy level metric were found to be poor performers.
Researchers have developed a synthetic drug that stops cancer cells from producing energy by blocking oxygen conversion. The tiny hairs formed by the drug's molecules can kill even aggressive and untreatable cancer cells within four hours.
Scientists have developed a new solar-powered laser with improved conversion efficiency, enabling more stable and efficient space-based energy generation. The design features four mirrors and laser rods, allowing for precise control over the pump cavity and minimizing thermal stress effects.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University develop a groundbreaking method to eradicate glioblastoma brain tumors by targeting astrocytes and starving them of energy. The study found that in the absence of these brain cells, tumor cells die and are eliminated, offering a promising basis for developing effective medications.
The new photodetector design combines long-range transport of optical energy with long-range conversion to electrical current, mimicking the photosynthetic complexes found in plants. The device can gather light from areas of about 0.01 mm² and achieve conversion of light to electrical current over exceptionally long distances of 0.1 nm.
A study at MedUni Vienna identified a glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle system as an essential back-up in neurons, ensuring sufficient energy supply even when one regulatory system fails. The system follows a hierarchy, with deployment triggered by the failure of other two mechanisms to function adequately.
Researchers found that immune cells prefer nutrient fuels previously thought to be waste products, including lactate. This discovery could lead to personalized dietary recommendations to supercharge the immune system. The findings also suggest a strong influence of nutrients on T cell function and survival.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that cancer cells metabolize glucose in their mitochondria, following conventional biochemical patterns. The study suggests that limiting glucose uptake may not be an effective strategy to target cancer cells, and glucose metabolism may need to be reevaluated as a therapeutic target.
The research team will analyze the remaining two enzymes necessary for riboflavin production and build a 'riboflavinator' in a test tube. This understanding could lead to improved methods for treating diseases and improving public health.
A new study challenges a popular scenario explaining the origin of eukaryotes, suggesting that cells can grow to considerable volume without acquiring mitochondria. Researchers explore energy requirements and genome arrangement in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, revealing overlap between cell types rather than a hard boundary line.
Scientists at KAUST have successfully created a semiconductor material with multiple exciton generation, resulting in a photocurrent quantum efficiency of over 100%. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar cells and light-harvesting applications.
Researchers developed a non-invasive ocular imaging method to detect flavoprotein fluorescence in the eye, indicating mitochondrial oxidative stress. This technique may predict glaucoma progression earlier than current methods, with similar sensitivity to visual field changes.
Researchers found that COVID-19 patients produce fewer ketone bodies than influenza patients, leading to reduced immune function. A ketogenic diet or administering ketone bodies revived immune cells in diseased mice, improving virus elimination and lung damage.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed an artificial protein that could provide new insights into chemical evolution on early Earth. The protein, inspired by a key enzyme in energy production, has been shown to build molecules one step at a time, shedding light on how organic chemistry matured on the planet.
A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel multi-proton carrier complex that shows efficient proton conductivity even at high temperatures. The resulting starburst-type metal complex acts as a proton transmitter, making it 6 times more potent than individual imidazole molecules.
In a new study, researchers found that microglia cells are responsible for neuronal death in a mitochondrial disease mouse model. Suppressing these cells with the drug Pexidartinib increased life expectancy and reduced motor problems. Further research is needed to understand the specific process by which microglia attack neurons.
A new molecule, inosine, has been identified as a key booster of fat burning through activation of brown fat cells. Studies have shown that inosine can increase energy consumption and protect against diabetes in mice fed high-energy diets.
Researchers have discovered a unique biochemical profile in severe asthmatic patients, which could lead to more effective treatments. The study found a decrease in carnitine metabolism in severe asthmatics, playing an important role in cellular energy generation and immune responses.
Researchers found that suppressing an enzyme called MSRA, which fixes oxidative damage to proteins, sparks the metastatic spread of pancreatic cancer cells. The discovery suggests that similar switches may exist in other cancers and lays the groundwork for redox-based targeted therapies.
The study achieved an efficiency of nearly 25 percent, surpassing previous values, by combining perovskites with CIS. The hybrid material enables the production of light and flexible tandem solar cells suitable for various applications.
Researchers have reconstructed what life was like for some of Earth's earliest organisms using light-capturing proteins in living microbes. The findings could help recognize signs of life on other planets with atmospheres similar to ancient Earth.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University have visualized the machinery that mitochondria use to form their proteins. This discovery presents opportunities to design more specific antibiotics and cancer drugs.
Ritsumeikan University researchers create a novel thin-film flexible piezoelectric-photovoltaic device that can generate electricity from indoor lighting. The device's performance is improved through strain-induced polarization in the ZnMgO layer, increasing open-circuit voltage and overcoming charge recombination issues.
Researchers have discovered a way to create devices that mimic natural photosynthesis, producing fuels like hydrogen instead of sugars. The breakthrough uses bismuth oxyiodide, a non-toxic semiconductor material that can produce clean hydrogen from water over weeks.
Researchers led by Atsuo Sasaki aim to identify mechanisms behind cell movement and energy allocation in cancer cells, with potential applications beyond cancer treatment. They will use scanning ion-conductance microscopy and machine learning technology to study the role of GTP in cellular migration.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism by which non-coding 7S RNA regulates mitochondrial gene expression in human cells. The study found that 7S RNA inhibits transcription via mitochondrial RNA polymerase dimerization, shedding light on the molecular basis of this process.
Researchers have developed a single-cell PV design integrated with nonreciprocal optical components to provide 100-percent reuse of emitted radiation, breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit. This breakthrough enables a quasimonochromatic radiation converter to reach the theoretically maximum Carnot efficiency.
Researchers developed a hot-carrier multijunction solar cell that maintains high conversion efficiency with nonoptimal materials, expanding the scope of candidate designs. The novel architecture showed superior resilience to design imperfections, widening the range of suitable materials and operating conditions.
Biologists at the University of Rochester have identified two key systems controlling gene expression related to longevity: circadian networks regulating negative lifespan genes and the pluripotency network controlling positive lifespan genes. This research provides new insights into understanding how longevity evolves and may lead to ...
Researchers at Ural Federal University have synthesized a proton conductor with high electrical conductivity, which could become the basis for solid oxide fuel cells. The new material is potentially cost-effective and exhibits higher electrical conductivity than other solid-state conductors.
Alzheimer's disease causes cells to overheat due to amyloid-beta aggregation, which can lead to more aggregates forming. The researchers found a drug compound could stop this process, potentially leading to new treatments.
A study by Brazilian scientists reveals that autophagy can modulate the accumulation of mutant mitochondrial DNA in cells during aging. The researchers found that mice with liver-specific atg7 knockout showed reduced buildup of mutant DNA, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for diseases associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations.
Researchers at MIT have designed a new type of photoredox catalyst that can be used to coat plastic tubing and perform chemical transformations on reactants as they flow through the tube. This breakthrough could enable the use of light-driven reactions in manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
Researchers developed an amphiphilic assembly to enhance electron transfer kinetics in biofuel cells. The approach resulted in high power output and operational stability, breaking the limitations of traditional enzyme immobilization methods.
Research finds that excessive mitochondrial damage caused by alcohol exposure can lead to chronic liver disease. Mitochondrial depolarization triggers mitophagy, a process removing damaged mitochondria; however, constant removal causes additional liver tissue damage.
Researchers have developed a glucose fuel cell that converts glucose into electricity, generating 43 microwatts per square centimeter. The device is resilient, able to withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for medical implants.
Researchers at Ritsumeikan University in Japan have developed a new method to fabricate cadmium-free thin-film solar cells with improved energy conversion efficiency. The process replaces toxic materials with native buffer layers formed through air-annealing, reducing waste and increasing the potential for large-scale manufacturing.
A new sensor technology allows for real-time monitoring of lactate levels in the brain, providing insights into energy metabolism and potential applications in cancer detection. The sensors corrected for hemodynamic artifacts using MRI-informed corrections enable accurate cell-specific lactate level recordings.
A new approach to battery design uses a polysulfide-air redox flow battery with two membranes, overcoming main problems and opening up potential for large-scale energy storage. The dual membrane design enables the use of lower-cost materials, improving performance and reducing costs.
Researchers from the US and Japan have discovered the mechanism of GTP recognition by a tumor-promoting kinase, leading to the evolution of a GTP sensor kinase. This finding could lead to the development of a new cancer-treating drug that targets PI5P4Kβ using GTP instead of ATP.
A new Cambridge study has discovered that the sex of a fetus can affect placenta function, diet-induced maternal obesity, and stress. Designing sex-specific therapies and personalized lifestyle interventions could have lifelong health benefits for children.
Scientists at KAUST have studied charge carrier behavior in perovskite thin films using laser pulses and terahertz radiation. They found that increased density of charge carriers narrows the energy gap for electrons to be excited by light, and charge carriers become more localized at higher densities.
Key signalling pathways blocking by existing drug candidates limit CCHF virus reproduction. The findings offer hope for patients affected by this deadly disease, which has a high mortality rate in humans.
Researchers at Clemson University and SSSIHL discovered a novel way to combine curcumin and gold nanoparticles to create an electrode that efficiently converts ethanol into electricity. The discovery brings replacing hydrogen as a fuel cell feedstock one step closer, with potential applications in sensors and supercapacitors.
Researchers at MIT and NREL have designed a thermophotovoltaic cell that converts heat to electricity with over 40% efficiency, surpassing traditional steam turbines. The new design could enable a fully decarbonized power grid by storing excess energy from renewable sources.
Researchers from Osaka University engineered microorganisms to use light as an external energy source, accelerating biomanufacturing of target compounds without disrupting the host microorganism's natural metabolism. This approach has the potential to increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in bioprocesses.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new type of organic solar cell that generates electricity efficiently even with a relatively low offset of 0.1 eV. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for the production of more efficient and flexible solar panels, potentially reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Researchers propose a novel pathway to realizing hot carrier solar cells, which can exceed the typical efficiency limit on solar cells. The approach involves isolating hot carriers within higher energy valleys in semiconductors, reducing energy loss to heat.
A study suggests that the powerhouse-pruning protein Drp1 plays a crucial role in generating energy for new blood vessel growth, particularly under low oxygen conditions. When oxygen levels are low, Drp1 gets modified to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which enables glycolysis and subsequent cell signaling.
A research team found that limiting energy in neurons increases hyperexcitability and severity of seizures in mice. The ketogenic diet restored mitochondrial function and reduced seizure intensity.
Researchers have identified two glucose transporters that disrupt the energy supply to invading worm cells and stop them in their tracks. By deactivating these genes, glucose and ATP levels dropped, and worm cells stalled their spread. This discovery could lead to new ways to cut off cancer cells' fuel lines and prevent metastasis.
Researchers found that chronic lactate exposure can lead to cellular disruptions, decreased fatty acid transport, and alterations of mitochondrial membranes, which may contribute to the development of heart failure and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that lactate accumulation could be a major player in disease progression.
Researchers found that bilobalide, an active ingredient in Ginkgo biloba extract, protects the heart from ischemic injuries by preserving ATP generation and enhancing metabolic flux. The study suggests that bilobalide may provide a new herbal therapy for treating myocardial ischemia.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a hybrid device that combines living organisms with bio batteries to produce stored energy under light conditions. The technology, known as microbial electro photosynthesis, has the potential to power a wide range of products, including transportation fuels and cosmetics.
A Swiss-French team has identified a mechanism that could lead to the development of new therapies for acute myeloid leukaemia, a particularly dangerous form of cancer. The selective activation of AMPK triggers apoptosis in tumour cells by initiating the cell's stress response.
A new University of Copenhagen study reveals that well-functioning fat tissue is crucial for overall health and may help prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity. High levels of lifelong exercise have been shown to improve mitochondrial function in fat cells, reducing oxidative stress and damage.
Researchers discovered guard cell chloroplasts do not produce ATP through photosynthesis. Instead, they utilize imported cytosolic ATP for starch turnover and stomatal opening, revealing a unique energy source for these critical cellular processes.
Cornell University chemists have developed a class of nonprecious metal derivatives that can efficiently power cars and generate electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. The breakthrough could enable wider deployment of hydrogen fuel cells, replacing combustion engines and reducing waste.
Researchers developed a novel scheme that reduces energy consumption while improving traffic prediction accuracy by up to 40% compared to benchmark schemes. The scheme uses software defined network and edge computing to control the operation of base stations, ensuring both sustainability and performance.