Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Physicists decode mysterious membrane behavior

Researchers identify packing density as key factor affecting membrane elasticity, offering new insights into homeostasis and cellular behavior. This discovery has significant implications for drug delivery applications and the development of lifelike artificial cells.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2025

New method revolutionizes beta-blocker production process

Researchers developed a novel amine-functionalized graphene oxide (NGO) membrane reactor for ultrafast synthesis of propranolol, achieving nearly 100% conversion and selectivity in under 4.63 seconds at 23°C. The NGO membrane exhibited higher catalytic flux and turnover frequency compared to the acidic graphene oxide (GO) membrane.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Shocking revelation: an electrically-activated protein regulates spermatogenesis

Researchers at Osaka University discovered that a protein sensitive to electrical signals plays a key role in promoting proper sperm development and maturation. The study's findings suggest that the protein, known as VSP, converts electrical signals into chemical signals necessary for sperm maturation.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2024
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Using early on-treatment circulating tumor DNA measurements as response assessment in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer

Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center discuss the potential of using early on-treatment circulating tumor DNA measurements as a response assessment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The detection of ctDNA at baseline and 4-weeks after treatment initiation can predict response durability to first-line ARPIs.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

New bio-based tool quickly detects concerning coronavirus variants

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a bioelectric device that can detect and classify new coronavirus variants, identifying those most harmful. The device uses a biomembrane on a microchip to recreate the cellular environment for infection, allowing for quick characterization and analysis of variant mechanics.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 8, 2024

Study identifies highly soluble molecules with superior antioxidant benefits for cells

Researchers have identified two highly soluble molecules with superior antioxidant benefits for cells, which could help prevent and manage certain degenerative diseases by maintaining lower levels of harmful free radicals. The study suggests that these molecules can transfer and accumulate in membranes, reducing the risk of cell damage.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 2, 2024
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.

Discovery of amino acid unveils how light makes plants open

Scientists at Nagoya University have discovered a novel regulatory mechanism controlling plant stomatal opening in response to red and blue light. Phosphorylation of Thr881 activates the plasma membrane proton pump, facilitating stomatal opening and enhancing photosynthetic activity.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2024

Immune system discovery could benefit spinal cord injuries

The study found that the immune response to spinal-cord injuries is impaired in older individuals, leading to weaker cell responses and reduced recovery. The researchers identified an essential role for the meninges surrounding the spinal cord in mounting the immune response, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·DateJun 2, 2023
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.

Saving desalination membranes from minerals and microbes

A recent study identified orthophosphate as a contaminant in some antiscalants that promotes bacterial growth, while HEDP-based antiscalants showed no biofouling effect. The research aims to develop simple low-tech tests for desalination plants to reduce energy consumption and extend membrane lifespan.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalWater Research·DateMay 11, 2023

CycPeptMPDB: A database aimed at promoting drug design using cyclic peptides

A novel database, CycPeptMPDB, has been created to facilitate the development of drugs based on cyclic peptides. The database contains information on thousands of cyclic peptides and their membrane permeability values, enabling researchers to select candidate peptides that can penetrate human cell membranes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 5, 2023

Energy-efficient and customisable inorganic membranes for a cleaner future

Researchers at NUS developed a new synthesis strategy for highly efficient inorganic membranes, offering maximum energy efficiency and customization. These freestanding membranes have the potential to transform industries beyond filtration and separation, including energy conversion, catalysis, and sensing.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature·DateMar 29, 2023

Investigating the effects on amide-to-ester substitutions on membrane permeability of cyclic peptides

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology discovered that amide-to-ester substitutions can significantly improve cyclic peptides' membrane permeability, making them suitable for clinical and therapeutic applications. The study used enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the mechanism behind this effect.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2023
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

The Donnan Potential, revealed at last

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made the first direct measurement of the Donnan electric potential, a phenomenon that has eluded researchers for over a century. The measurement could yield new insights into membrane transport, ion exchange, and energy storage strategies.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 19, 2022

New insights into nanochannel fabrication using femtosecond laser pulses

Researchers developed a novel method to create deep nanochannels in hard and brittle materials like silica, diamond, and sapphire. By employing femtosecond laser direct writing technology, they achieved sub-100-nm feature sizes and ultrahigh aspect ratios.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateNov 2, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Technological revolution of membrane process for water treatment: PTC pre-coagulation for fouling control of ceramic membrane

Researchers found PTC pre-coagulation significantly improves organic matter removal and filtration quality of ceramic membranes. The study provides a high-effective pretreatment technology to enhance filtration performance and control membrane fouling.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2022

Milking molecules from microbes

A team of researchers developed a low-energy and efficient way to harvest and concentrate valuable chemicals from microalgae, which can be grown on waste materials. This membrane-based process enables continuous extraction and concentration of secreted metabolites, paving the way for large-scale bio-factories.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJul 25, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Shaping the future of purification

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) researchers have created a new membrane material that separates nitrogen from methane based on their shape difference. This approach reduces purification costs for natural gas by up to 73% compared to existing methods, offering an energy-efficient solution.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature·DateJun 22, 2022

Dual membrane offers hope for long-term energy storage

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.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 3, 2022

Hetero-lattice intergrown MOF membranes: a potential solution to polyol upgrading in industry

Research at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics proposes hetero-lattice intergrown MOF membranes for efficient polyol dehydration. The novel membrane design achieves ultra-stability and high pervaporation performance, offering a potential solution to overcome separation challenges.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 18, 2022

Towards carbon neutrality: New synthesis method yields superior membrane for carbon capture and storage

Researchers from Japan have developed a new method to synthesize a pure Si-CHA membrane showing much higher CO2 separation performance than existing membranes. The key to this achievement is using a porous silica substrate instead of alumina, eliminating problems with pore size reduction and improving efficiency.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalMembranes·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion using light

Researchers create Opto-vTrap, a reversible inhibition system that can temporarily trap vesicles from being released, allowing for controlled brain activity. The technique enables temporary removal of fear memory in live mice, with potential applications in epilepsy treatment, muscle spasm treatment, and skin tissue expansion technolog...

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

How to program DNA robots to poke and prod cell membranes

Researchers at UNSW and University of Sydney develop DNA 'nanostructures' to effectively manipulate synthetic liposomes, leading to potential applications in biosensing and mRNA vaccines. The study also explores the creation of 'mini biological computers' that can sense their environment and respond to signals.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2021

New way to pull lithium from water could increase supply, efficiency

A new research method developed by an interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists has the potential to significantly increase lithium supply and reduce costs for devices that rely on it. The technique involves extracting lithium from contaminated water using precise membranes, which can improve efficiency and simplify the extrac...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2021

Efficiency leap in separating para-xylene using new carbon membranes

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed improved carbon membranes that can efficiently separate para-xylene from its siblings, reducing energy consumption by up to three times. The breakthrough could lower energy costs in producing commodity chemicals and fuels.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Fireflies shed light on the function of mitochondria

Scientists have developed a protocol to measure mitochondrial activity in living animals using a bioluminescent molecule found in fireflies. This method reveals impaired mitochondrial functions in diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 10, 2020

Ultrathin nanosheets separate harmful ions from water

Researchers created an ultrathin membrane with high porosity that can filter potentially harmful ions from water. The membrane has potential to deliver clean water for millions of people globally through purification and desalination processes.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 8, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Polymer membranes could benefit from taking a dip

A team of researchers from Argonne National Laboratory has developed a simple pretreatment step that enables membranes to be enhanced using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method involves dipping membranes in tannic acid, which provides nucleation sites for ALD coatings. This technique now opens up new possibilities for improving me...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 28, 2020

Ionic thermal up-diffusion boosts energy harvesting

Scientists have discovered that ionic thermal up-diffusion can significantly improve the efficiency of nanofluidic salinity gradient energy harvesting by promoting selectivity and suppressing ion concentration polarization. This innovative approach enables the creation of tunable ionic voltage sources, leading to enhanced power output.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 6, 2019

Sac with spiral surface patterns facilitate substance delivery

Researchers have found that spiral surface patterns on liquid crystal sacs facilitate the delivery of molecules to specific locations within the body. The unique structure of these sacs, with its faceted tetrahedron shape and defects at four vertices, allows for controlled release of substances, enabling potential biomedical applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 19, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Using water molecules to unlock neurons' secrets

Scientists have developed a method to monitor changes in membrane potential and observe ion fluxes by studying the behavior of water molecules surrounding neuronal membranes. This breakthrough could provide insight into neural activity, enabling scientists to track neurons without using electrodes or fluorophores.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2018

Two faces offer limitless possibilities

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new way to chemically deposit a second face on Janus membranes, resulting in more robust and precisely structured membranes. This breakthrough could help optimize or enable various industrial processes, including wastewater treatment and biofuel production.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateJul 19, 2018

Intraoral wireless electronics for sodium monitoring

Researchers developed a wireless, stretchable hybrid electronic system for real-time sodium monitoring in the oral cavity. The device integrates miniaturized chip-scale technology and microstructured sensors to measure sodium intake wirelessly.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Fetal membranes may help transform regenerative medicine

Researchers discover potential of fetal membranes in treating various medical conditions, including cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes, and more. Fetal membranes contain diverse stem cells, making them a promising tool for bioengineering applications.

SourceWiley·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateAug 30, 2017

Anticancer properties of mono/di-halogenated coumarins

Researchers synthesized mono/di-halogenated coumarins and evaluated their anticancer activity against UACC-62, MCF-7, and PBM cell lines. The test compounds CMRN1-CMRN7 strongly suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalAnti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry·DateJan 30, 2017

UNIST to engineer next-generation smart separator membranes

Researchers at UNIST have developed a novel separator membrane for batteries, featuring higher ion conductivity and enhanced performance. The new material is expected to enable significant advances in lithium-ion battery technology.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 25, 2016
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.

Human scabs serve as inspiration for new bandage to speed healing

Researchers created a 'cytophilic' wound dressing material that attracts new cells needed for healing, mimicking the underside of scabs. In laboratory experiments, human cells attached quickly to the membrane, suggesting its potential in rapid wound healing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 29, 2013
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.