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Bloom preservation

Research by Jamshidi et al. found that combining salicylic acid, malic acid, and urea can extend cut gerbera blooms' vase life from a week to over two weeks. These compounds prevent bacterial contamination and sustain enzyme activity in the stems.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation·DateMay 19, 2015

Making carboxyl(ate) friends

Researchers Luigi D'Ascenzo and Pascal Auffinger classify 17 carboxyl(ate) motifs in crystal structures using stereochemical considerations. They provide a systematic naming system and implications for crystal engineering, pharmaceutical research, and biomolecular sciences.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateApr 14, 2015

Diet high in red meat may make kidney disease worse

A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggests that a diet high in animal proteins, especially red meat, can increase the risk of developing kidney failure in people with chronic kidney disease. Conversely, consuming diets rich in fruits and vegetables may protect kidney function.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 23, 2015

A new weapon in the fight against cancer

A study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows that lithocholic acid, a bile acid produced in the liver, is effective in killing cancer cells and delaying aging. The findings have implications for slowing down breast and prostate cancer development.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2015

Picture this -- biosecurity seen from the inside

Researchers have developed a fluorescent hormone biosensor that reveals the dynamics of jasmonate signalling in plants, allowing for the imaging of plant defence mechanisms in real time. This breakthrough enables the study of how plants coordinate their defence responses to mechanical damage and disease.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2015

Research links soil mineral surfaces to key atmospheric processes

Research by Indiana University scientists reveals that soil mineral surfaces determine nitrous acid release into the atmosphere, playing a pivotal role in smog formation and greenhouse gas lifetime. This finding could contribute to improved models for understanding and controlling air pollution, a significant public health concern.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 15, 2014

A glucose meter of a different color provides continuous monitoring

Researchers developed a new continuous glucose monitoring material that changes color as glucose levels fluctuate, offering higher sensitivity and precision than current point measurements. The color-changing material is simple, low-cost to manufacture, and can be used for short-term monitoring of patients in intensive care units.

New culprit identified in metabolic syndrome

Researchers found that excess uric acid can disrupt normal metabolism, leading to the development of metabolic syndrome. A new study suggests that diet and fructose consumption may contribute to high uric acid levels, which can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 8, 2014

Scissoring the lipids

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a new strategy for disconnecting molecules, which could be used to create a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine. The method, described in Nature Chemistry, enables the synthesis of complex lipids like hydroxyphthioceranic acid in just 14 steps.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJul 28, 2014

When wine hits the right nerve

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum decode mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character, a bitter sensation on the tongue. They found that gallic acid groups are responsible for triggering this sensation, which is mediated by the trigeminal nerve.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemical Senses·DateMay 5, 2014

Green is good

Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a natural compound in green tomatoes that stimulates muscle growth and protects against muscle wasting. Tomatidine, found in green tomatoes, generates changes in gene expression opposite to those that occur in muscle cells affected by muscle atrophy.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 9, 2014

New marker substance for cancer cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new PET tracer that targets the folic acid receptor on cancer cells, enabling precise diagnosis and predicting patient response to therapy. The tracer also has potential for displaying inflammatory diseases and medication development.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·DateJul 4, 2013

Production of 5-aminovaleric and glutaric acid by metabolically engineered microorganism

A Korean research team successfully produced 5-aminovaleric acid and glutaric acid using metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. The study demonstrates the first microbial process for producing these C5 platform chemicals, showcasing the potential for sustainable production of chemicals and plastics.

Soybeans a source of valuable chemical

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new process to convert soybean byproducts into succinic acid, a valuable chemical used in various industries. The process uses genetically modified E. coli bacteria to metabolize soluble carbohydrates from soybeans, achieving a high yield and a 1:1 ratio of feedstock to product.

SourceRice University·JournalBioresource Technology·DateDec 19, 2012

Quantum dots brighten the future of lighting

Researchers have successfully boosted the fluorescent efficiency of ultra-small quantum dots to as high as 45%, making them suitable for special lighting applications. This improvement translates to a higher luminous efficiency of about 40 lumens/watt, outperforming existing LEDs and incandescent bulbs.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 8, 2012

Bristol researchers solve 70-year-old mystery

Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the 70-year-old mystery of stipitatic acid synthesis by identifying genes responsible for its production. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding organic chemistry and potentially leads to new drugs with antibacterial and antimalarial properties.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2012

Simple, cheap way to mass-produce graphene nanosheets

A new method for mass-producing high-quality graphene nanosheets has been developed by researchers, enabling the production of sheets at a lower cost than current methods. The technique uses dry ice and an industrial process to create flakes of graphite with opened-up edges, making them soluble in solvents and allowing for easy separat...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 26, 2012

Anti-malaria drug synthesized with the help of oxygen and light

Researchers at Max Planck Institute develop simple process for artemisinin synthesis using waste product from current production as starting substance. The new method uses photochemistry to incorporate an endoperoxide group into the molecule, producing large volumes of artemisinin under controlled conditions. This could cover global de...

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 17, 2012

Researchers unlock bacteria's beneficial side

Phosphonic acids are persistent pollutants found in common medicinal products, detergents, and herbicides. Bacteria have been shown to break down these molecules with surprising ease, thanks to the identification of specialized proteins that perform key bond-breaking steps.

SourceQueen's University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2011