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Resilience to climate change?

A recent study on octopus rubescens found a significant adaptability to short-term exposure to acidic water, with metabolic rates returning to normal after 1 week. Long-term effects were less pronounced, with reduced oxygen circulation and function in low-acidity conditions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateJan 13, 2021

Eavesdropping on the pH levels inside the brain

Tohoku University scientists created a miniaturized pH probe to investigate deep brain structures' chemical signals. The probe detects subtle pH fluctuations, which can reveal the influence of acidity on brain function and dysfunction in diseases like mental illness and seizures.

SourceTohoku University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateDec 23, 2020

Green hydrogen: Buoyancy-driven convection in the electrolyte

The team used fluorescent pH-sensor foils to visualize changes in local pH during electrolysis, observing a clockwise motion of the electrolyte and fluctuations in density due to electrochemical reactions. They developed a multiphysics model to simulate natural convection in electrochemical cells with various electrolytes.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateNov 19, 2020

Could kelp help relieve ocean acidification?

A new study published in JGR Oceans suggests that giant kelp forests may help mitigate ocean acidification by reducing acidity near the surface, but has no impact on the ocean floor where sensitive species dwell. The research found an overall less acidic environment within the kelp forest compared to outside of it.

Sampling the gut microbiome with an ingestible pill

Scientists have created an ingestible capsule that captures bacteria and biological samples from the gut while passing through the gastrointestinal tract. The device, which doesn't cause inflammation or toxicity, can be triggered over a range of pH to deliver biologics, providing insight into associated GI disease progression.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 9, 2020

Seeing chemical reactions with music

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science found that audible sound can control chemical reactions in solution by supplying energy sources into the air-liquid interface. The study created aesthetically pleasing patterns on the surface and bulk of the solution, exhibiting life-like behavior in synthetic molecules.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Chemistry·DateAug 10, 2020

A small twist leads to a big reaction

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a way to speed up chemical reactions involving amide bonds, which are key components of proteins. By applying a slight twist to their structure, they increased reaction rates by up to 14 times, potentially benefiting medical research and drug development.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 28, 2020

Nanoparticles: Acidic alert

Researchers at LMU synthesized nanoparticles that rapidly release ionized iron within cells, triggering pyroptosis and potentially eliminating malignant tumors. The nanoparticles' structure and coating enable controlled release of iron ions in acidic environments, making them a promising therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 17, 2020

Improved pH probes may help towards cancer treatments

Researchers have developed a nanopipette pH biosensor that can detect changes in extracellular pH with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The device uses a zwitterionic membrane to enable faster responses and has been tested on live cancer cells, showing its potential for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapies.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 6, 2019

How giant kelp may respond to climate change

A study by University of California - Davis researchers found that giant kelp populations from different regions have distinct responses to climate change, with those from Southern California being more resilient to heat stress. The research also showed that ocean acidification did not negatively impact reproduction in some populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateNov 13, 2019

Controlled nano-assembly

Scientists have introduced a universal pH-regulated assembly method for DNA nanostructures, using ethylenediamine to control self-directed cohesions. This method enables the formation of various geometries without specific base sequences, expanding dynamic DNA nanotechnology applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 23, 2018

Rapid adaptation

A new study by UC Santa Barbara marine biologists shows that female purple sea urchins can condition their offspring to withstand stress induced by low pH levels, commonly caused by ocean acidification. The researchers found that the females' exposure to stressful conditions resulted in harder and larger offspring.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMar 26, 2018