Articles tagged with Cellular Energy
Researchers at Linköping University have developed organic solar cells that can harness indoor light to produce electricity. The cells achieve high energy efficiency, with some variants converting up to 26.1% of ambient light into electricity.
Researchers designed a quinoxaline-based acceptor that enables efficient organic solar cells with low energy losses. The devices achieved high power conversion efficiencies and improved short-circuit current, fill factor, and open-circuit voltage.
Researchers develop a low-cost thermoelectric generator that harnesses temperature differences to produce renewable electricity at night, when solar power is not available. The device can generate up to 25 milliwatts of energy per square meter and has the potential to be scaled for practical use.
Researchers found that certain transporter proteins, such as MAE1 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, can improve the secretion of dicarboxylic acids in baker's yeast with minimal energy expenditure. Building a comprehensive library of transporters will enable more efficient strain development and precise drug development.
Researchers developed a tiny thermometer probe to measure temperature inside living cells, revealing quick bursts of heat from mitochondria releasing proton energy. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for obesity and cancer.
Researchers have discovered that microorganisms can shift from fermentation to respiration, producing more internal energy and reducing unwanted byproducts. This breakthrough enables the design of new, improved cell factories with enhanced efficiency.
Ion beams use ions to create complex atomic effects, releasing slow electrons that destroy DNA of cancer cells. Researchers at TU Wien discovered interatomic Coulombic decay, a previously little-observed effect, plays a pivotal role in this context.
Researchers have determined the first atomic structure of the V/A-ATPase family, a key energy machine in cells. The enzyme's structure reveals a turbine-like structure with two or three peripheral stalks and additional connecting protein subunits, enabling greater plasticity and flexibility in its rotation mechanism.
Researchers identified patterns in cellular behavior that could lead to diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. The team developed a biophysical model of energy-driven cellular machinery for understanding allostasis in cells.
A new study reveals that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can use carbon monoxide to survive inside the human host. This discovery could pave the way for new strategies to fight communicable diseases like TB.
Bacteria do not die randomly in hunger phases; their neighbors play a crucial role. The team identified two key factors: basic energy consumption and biomass recycling efficiency. Changes to these factors affect the mortality rate, which can arise from genetic or ecological perturbations.
A team of UT Austin chemists has received a $1 million grant to develop an innovative new coating for silicon-based solar cells that could increase their efficiency by up to 20%. The coating uses organic dyes to convert more sunlight into electricity, reducing heat losses and energy inefficiencies.
A team of researchers has developed a 3D electrochemical model to estimate the properties of single particles of electrode active materials. This model can analyze micrometer-sized particles in a cell and is expected to improve cell efficiency and increase energy density.
The study reveals the largest real-time structural changes in a molecule ever, showing how bacteriorhodopsin pumps protons from inside to outside through the cell membrane. This process creates a concentration gradient that the cell uses to gain energy for its metabolism.
Scientists have found that a group of brain cells regulate both food intake and energy expenditure, leading to a new possibility for effective weight-loss medication. The discovery could enable a doubly effective assault against obesity.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers suggests that ALS patients may benefit from more glucose, as it can help increase energy production and improve cellular function. The findings, published in eLife, reveal that when ALS-affected neurons are given more glucose, they are able to survive longer and function better.
Protein machines play a crucial role in biological cells, and researchers have developed simple mechanical models to understand their operation. These models, based on elastic networks, reveal essential aspects of protein machine behavior and can be used to design artificial nano-machines with machine properties.
Researchers successfully simulated real-world conditions to assess perovskite solar cell performance. The study found that temperature and irradiance variations have a minimal impact on efficiency, with slight decreases during the day but recoveries at night.
A research team created an artificially produced antibody fragment that successfully blocks the transport of antibiotics and chemotherapy agents out of cancer cells. By binding to a specific protein, the fragment prevented the protein from splitting ATP, thus stopping the transport process.
Keratoconus, an eye condition affecting 1 in 2,000, is caused by genetic and environmental factors, including UV light and vigorous eye rubbing. Researchers are exploring gene mutations, mitochondrial function and oxidative stress to develop new diagnostic tools and treatments.
Research groups investigate KaiA and KaiC proteins' interplay to generate circadian oscillation in cyanobacteria. They find that KaiC degrades ATP within its ring structure, triggering the 'fishing a line' mechanism.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University developed a theory that predicts maximum efficiency and minimal energy loss in molecular machines. By manipulating DNA hairpins, they demonstrated a strategy to optimize nanomachines, which could lead to significant advancements in fields like computer chips, solar cells, and biotechnology.
Researchers at Colorado State University have found that adding selenium to cadmium telluride thin-film solar cells increases their efficiency by overcoming atomic-scale defects. The discovery could lead to more widespread and affordable solar-generated electricity.
A team of researchers at the University of Utah Health has identified TLE3 as a genetic switch that stops the conversion of white fat to beige fat cells, which burn energy more efficiently. Deleting TLE3 in mice resulted in enhanced energy expenditure and weight loss under cold conditions.
New research reveals distinct features of membrane channels in skeletal and heart muscle cells, shedding light on the mechanisms behind inherited arrhythmias and providing a promising avenue for targeted drug development. The study also highlights the vital role of phosphatidylethanolamine in mitochondrial energy production.
A breakthrough in a new material called a tandem perovskite solar cell has been achieved, bringing efficiency to about 23%, compared to silicon panels at 18% efficient. The goal is to make cheaper and more efficient solar cells that could replace silicon photovoltaic technology.
Serotonin enhances mitochondrial biogenesis, cellular respiration, and ATP production, reducing reactive oxygen species and stress damage in neurons. The study identifies serotonin as a potential therapeutic target for treating mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons, with implications for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
A new study suggests that mitochondrial function may explain the link between general intelligence, health, and aging. Chronic stress can damage mitochondria, leading to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, highlighting the importance of promoting healthy mitochondria through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered a new class of high entropy alloys suitable for electrocatalytic applications. These materials show potential in reducing energy losses and improving activity comparable to platinum catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions.
Scientists have developed a new charge transfer and separation process called Twisted Intramolecular Charge Shuttle (TICS) that enables faster energy conversion in solar cells and photosynthesis. TICS molecules exhibit a bidirectional, role switching phenomenon, paving a new avenue for chemists to construct unique fluorescent probes.
Researchers developed nanomicrocell catalysts with integrated active sites, reducing energy barriers and improving catalytic properties. The catalyst system enhances transportation efficiency of electrons and charge carriers, opening a new window for advanced catalyst synthesis.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have controlled the lifetime of gold nanoclusters' quantum states, extending it by three magnitudes. This breakthrough could improve solar cell and photocatalysis technologies, allowing for more efficient energy harvesting.
Researchers discovered that bacteria produce a specific stress molecule when exposed to antibiotics, causing them to divide more slowly. This adaptation allows the bacteria to survive while maintaining high tolerance, enabling them to quickly regrow when the antibiotic treatment is ceased.
University of Illinois researchers have developed a new electrolysis technology that uses glycerol to reduce the energy consumption of converting CO2 waste into valuable resources. The process reduces energy requirements by 53% and has potential for carbon neutrality or negativity, depending on grid setup.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology constructed simple artificial cells that can produce chemical energy to synthesize cell components. This breakthrough may shed light on how primordial cells used sunlight as an energy source early in life's history.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that cancer cells use leader-follower behavior to establish new tumor sites, expending more energy in the process. This finding has significant implications for fighting cancer, particularly in understanding mechanisms of metastasis and developing new therapies.
Gram-negative bacteria's outer membrane is constructed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using an integral machine that builds each bacterium's powerful protection. Researchers have discovered how LPS gets to the outer membrane, including a protein bridge and ATP shuttling mechanism.
Researchers discovered that applying mechanical pressure to tetraethylammonium di-iodine triiodide increases its conductivity. The pressure-induced changes lead to the formation of CT chains, making TEAI a tunable pressure-sensitive electric switch.
A Vanderbilt University team developed an atlas of lipid structures using ion mobility-mass spectrometry, narrowing the possibilities for identifying lipids. The atlas holds key to early diagnosis of many disorders by mapping out lipid shapes.
A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a high-power fuel cell that operates at double the voltage of commercial fuel cells, powering unmanned underwater vehicles, drones, and eventually electric aircraft at significantly lower cost.
Researchers used cryo-EM to visualize the dynamic process of substrate processing in the human proteasome at unprecedented resolution, revealing single magnesium ions bound to ATP and ADP. The study provides novel insights into the complete cycle of substrate processing and suggests distinct modes of ATP hydrolysis.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have revealed the structure of the NADH dehydrogenase-like complex (NDH), a crucial protein in photosynthesis. This breakthrough will allow scientists to explore how the complex functions and could lead to improvements in sustainable bioproducts, including plastic alternatives and biofuels.
Perovskite-based solar cells have shown promise in recent years due to their simplicity, flexibility, and energy efficiency approaching those of traditional silicon-based cells. Researchers at Georgia Tech, UC San Diego, and MIT have reported new findings that could lead to devices with improved performance and longer lifetimes.
A recent study found that insulin deprivation in mice resulted in decreased ATP production in brain regions critical for memory, similar to previous findings in skeletal muscle. Intranasal insulin treatment reversed this decline, suggesting insulin's role in maintaining brain mitochondrial function.
Researchers have found a way to transfer electrons between proteins without direct contact, contradicting existing evidence and enabling better understanding of protein behavior and energy dysfunctions in diseases.
Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered how neurons manage mitochondrial transport, a process crucial for nerve cell function and energy production. The study found that cAMP signaling enhances mitochondrial transport after synapse formation, requiring significant energy to maintain communication between cells.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a liver hormone called tsukushi that slows down metabolism when energy levels are high. The study found that mice without this hormone gained less weight and had better metabolic parameters than normal mice.
Washington State University researchers found the way plants respond to disease-causing organisms and how they protect themselves. The discovery provides a blueprint for breeding resistance to diseases or pests, enabling faster and more efficient development of crop protection strategies.
Yeast cells produce ethanol as a 'safety valve' when their metabolic operation reaches a critical level. This discovery also explains the Warburg effect in cancer cells, where energy is wasted by producing lactate.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed an electrocatalytic mechanism that mimics the mammalian lung's gas exchange process, enabling more efficient conversion of water into hydrogen fuel. The design uses a thin membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, reducing energy costs and increasing current density rates.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive loss of kidney function, which can be attributed to faulty cellular energy sensing. Researchers have identified a link between decreased AMPK activity and CKD progression, highlighting a potential therapeutic target for treatment.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina identified nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) as a compound that restores mitochondrial function and energy production in Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndromes (MTDPS) liver-like cells. NAD was found to increase ATP levels by activating a transcription cascade that results in inc...
Researchers at Stanford University have created electrochemical cells that convert carbon monoxide (CO) from CO2 into commercially viable compounds, including ethylene and acetate. The new design improves efficiency and concentration of products, making it a promising solution for capturing CO2 and mitigating climate change.
Researchers have developed a novel catalyst that enables an aluminum-air flow battery to outperform lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density, cost, and cycle life. The breakthrough technology uses a silver manganate nanoplate architecture to alleviate side reactions and improve the battery's longevity.
Gram-negative bacteria build their outer membrane using a glycolipid called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which can be weakened by preventing its transport. Researchers in the Kahne Lab have developed a quantitative method to monitor LPS transport rates, revealing crucial new details about its molecular mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new fuel cell concept that uses an organic compound called quinone to shuttle electrons and protons, increasing energy efficiency by 100 times compared to previous designs. The design also reduces costs by using lower-cost metals like cobalt as catalysts.
Researchers have purified and visualized the Cyclic Electron Flow supercomplex, a critical part of photosynthetic machinery, to advance solar-powered microalgae-based biotechnologies. This discovery provides new insights into how plants capture and store solar energy at the molecular level.
Scientists have developed a comprehensive model of electrochemistry that combines existing theories to predict previously unexplained behavior. The Unified Electrochemical Band-Diagram Framework enables the prediction of material properties and behavior in any electrode, including batteries, supercapacitors, and catalysis.
Mitochondria use one-way doors called mitochondrial calcium uniporter channel complexes (MCUCs) to control access, but the exit door proteins are abundant only in areas far from the entrances. This separation allows mitochondria to operate at maximum efficiency even when stressed.
Researchers developed an engineered E. coli strain that converts formic acid and CO2 to pyruvate, producing cellular energy from formic acid through reconstructed one-carbon pathways. The strain efficiently utilizes formic acid as a carbon source while reducing glucose consumption.