Articles tagged with Chemical Biology
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, psychological stress and malnutrition may alter gene expression and lead to increased risk of cognitive disorders, obesity and metabolic diseases. The preconception period is a sensitive developmental window, emphasizing the need for universal healthy starts for children.
A novel approach using a motile bacteria and microbial lug-gage enhances cellulose degradation in solid-state conditions. This method overcomes limitations of current biocatalysts, offering a promising solution for efficient and cost-effective cellulose hydrolysis.
Researchers at Wayne State University aim to determine contaminant prevalence in urban agriculture soil, identify risk factors and develop guidance for safe and sustainable gardening. The project will provide urgently needed information on physical, chemical and biological contamination in urban agricultural environments.
The REDIchip can detect drugs in urinalyses, provide earlier detection of emerging health problems, enhance medical imaging, improve tumor margin determinations, and identify endocrine disruptors in the environment.
The university will create a new generation of tools to develop novel architectures combining hard and soft materials for electronics and biomedicine. The 4-D printer will use nanoscale technology to construct devices for research in chemistry, materials sciences, and U.S. defense-related areas.
Researchers have developed a nanotechnology that promises to make SERS simpler and more affordable, enabling the detection of trace amounts of molecules in various fields. The universal substrate can trap a wide range of wavelengths, reducing the need for different substrates and increasing the efficiency of sensing techniques.
Corleone Delaveris, a Boston College senior, has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to study chemical biology at Stanford University. The award will provide financial support for three years of graduate study, covering an annual stipend and tuition costs.
A large-scale study of Ebola survivors found persistent health effects, including vision loss, hearing impairment, and cognitive decline. The study highlights the need for strategies to address the long-term health needs of survivors.
Weidong Zhou, a UT Arlington electrical engineering professor, has received a $600,000 grant to develop low-cost, compact ultraviolet lasers for detecting chemical and biological agents. The goal is to create more efficient lasers that can be used in portable detection systems, reducing size, weight, and power consumption.
Researchers found that bumblebees can distinguish between two visually clearly different feeder types when arranged horizontally but failed to do so when they were distributed vertically. The bees' decision-making is influenced by their natural foraging environment, where rewarding and unrewarding flowers often grow side-by-side.
Researchers found that BPA exposure in fish can lead to reduced fertilization rates and increased embryo mortality in subsequent generations. Exposure occurred during embryonic development, resulting in adverse effects on future reproductive health.
The new membranes show comparable performance to existing commercial membranes but with greater resistance to chlorine-containing chemicals. This technology can reduce operating costs and prevent decreased water flow due to biological fouling.
Scientists have found that marijuana potency has tripled in some strains since legalization, with some samples containing up to 30% THC. However, many products lack cannabidiol, a compound with potential medical benefits, and contain contaminants such as fungi and solvents.
Researchers used a new computational method to predict the interactions between small molecules and thousands of proteins, revealing that many chemical probes are not selective but instead interact with multiple proteins. This study highlights the importance of understanding protein functions to develop more efficient and safer medicines.
Researchers at RIKEN have identified a key mechanism in which brassinosteroids, expensive plant hormones, control plant height and growth. The study reveals that BIL1, a master switch regulating 3,000 genes, interacts with BSS1 to regulate brassinosteroid signaling.
The University of Houston has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to design and implement faster, more autonomous, and less expensive bio-threat detection systems. The goal is to create multi-tiered sensor systems that can detect biological and chemical threats in real-time.
Researchers identified a biological clock that measures individuals' lifespans by analyzing DNA changes. A faster-running biological clock is linked to earlier death, even after accounting for other factors.
A new planetary dashboard reveals that human activity has become a prime driver of change on Earth since 1950, with indicators showing significant changes in greenhouse gas levels, ocean acidification, and biodiversity deterioration. This research supports the proposal that Earth has entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.
A network of nine reference sites off Australia's coast provides multi-decadal data on the country's coastal waters. The network, known as IMOS National Reference Stations, allows scientists to track changes in oceanography and ecosystems.
Researchers at Princeton University have directly observed the electronic states of iron-sulfur clusters in enzymes, revealing an order of magnitude more accessible states than previously reported. This discovery presents many different chemical possibilities and could explain the ubiquity of these clusters in biological processes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a method to rapidly prepare frozen red blood cells for transfusions, reducing the time-consuming process of thawing and removing glycerol from the blood. This breakthrough could make it feasible to use frozen blood in emergency situations, solving inefficiencies in the current system.
A new guideline from the American Gastroenterological Association provides guidance on treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), highlighting the effectiveness of linaclotide and rifaximin. The guidelines also suggest using tricyclic antidepressants, antispasmodics, and other therapies for IBS patients.
Scientists have developed micromotors that use water as fuel to rapidly neutralize chemical and biological warfare agents. The micromotors propelled titanium dioxide to accelerate the decontamination process, showing promise in combating these dangerous agents.
Scientists from Queen's University Belfast have made a groundbreaking discovery in attosecond science, tracking ultra-fast electron movement within a nanometer-sized molecule. This research has implications for understanding how radiotherapy kills cancer cells and improving solar cells.
Researchers at University of Bristol discovered that enzymes can function without water, enabling the development of thermally robust industrial enzymes for harsh processing conditions. This breakthrough has potential applications in detergent technologies and biofuel production.
The HHS has added four new substances to its 13th Report on Carcinogens, including ortho-toluidine, 1-bromopropane, cumene, and pentachlorophenol. Ortho-toluidine is a known human carcinogen, while the other three are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens based on studies in humans and animals.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new nanostructure that absorbs a very narrow spectrum of light, enhancing the sensitivity of biosensors. This ultranarrow band absorber can detect smaller changes in the environment and has been shown to exceed 90% absorption at visible frequencies.
Biochemists at City College of New York find a way to detect common class of odors using water's ability to undergo chemical reactions with aldehydes. Researchers propose that some odorant receptors recognize aldehydes by their reactivity, rather than structure, enabling the nose to distinguish them from similar chemicals.
Analytical Chemistry Research is a quarterly open access journal focusing on fundamental research in analytical theory and methodology. The journal aims to publish innovative approaches to instrumental, chemical, and biological analysis, with an emphasis on novel technologies and their applications.
Scientists have found a mechanism that allows fruit fly cells to maintain coordinated biological processes despite temperature extremes. The discovery centers on a protein called Klar, which slows down raw material delivery to match the rate of protein building.
Researchers discovered a group of marine bacteria that synthesize flame retardant-like chemicals, including a potent endocrine disruptor. The study highlights the pervasiveness of these compounds in the ocean food chain, raising concerns about human health risks.
Scientists at USAMRIID have proposed a set of standards for sequencing viral genomes, providing a common 'language' among researchers. The standards will facilitate the analysis and application of genome sequences across various fields, including diagnostics, vaccine development, and therapeutics.
Researchers found goats can learn complicated tasks in under 12 trials and retain memories for at least 10 months, revealing excellent long-term memory. The study challenges common misconceptions about goat intelligence, suggesting they can adapt to harsh environments through complex cognition.
The American Gastroenterological Association has developed a framework for a colonoscopy bundled payment model, which provides a structure for physicians and facilities to negotiate payment. The model includes services and supplies provided before, during, and after the procedure, aiming to improve quality and value of care.
Researchers at the University of California - Davis have engineered bacteria to produce esters, a key component in scents, flavors, and chemical processes. This breakthrough could lead to a $20 billion industry shift towards renewable sources.
The Eskitis Institute is working with the Queensland Compound Library and Nature Bank to discover new natural compounds that could be developed into life-saving drugs. The collaboration has led to significant advancements in high-throughput screening of natural product fractions, resulting in the discovery of more useful compounds.
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of a small-molecule drug, BCX4430, in protecting nonhuman primates from the lethal Marburg virus. The drug protected cynomolgous macaques and guinea pigs from infection when administered by injection or inhalation.
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel method to quantify plant tolerance to high light intensity. The study found that plants grown without quick responses to high light had reduced capacity to protect themselves from damage.
A team led by George Washington University researcher will receive funding to develop an approach to rapidly identify the root cause of biological and chemical threats, potentially reducing processing time from years to 30 days. The project aims to enhance national security efforts against these threats.
A study by Arjun Venkatesan and Rolf Halden found that sludge contains 123 distinct CECs, including high-production volume chemicals like flame-retardants and antimicrobials. Analysis of these chemicals in sludge may provide a useful surrogate for assessing human exposure and bioaccumulation.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a process to create concentrated sugar streams using gamma valerolactone, which can be converted into cellulosic ethanol and drop-in biofuels. The process converts 85-95% of starting material to sugars suitable for yeast fermentation.
Researchers have developed a novel way to boil water in under a trillionth of a second, opening new paths for experiments with heated samples of biological relevance. The technique uses terahertz radiation to heat up small amounts of water by as much as 600 degrees Celsius.
A team of researchers has developed a unique $24 million project to create a 'body on a chip' that can model the human response to harmful agents, accelerating the development of new therapies. The miniaturized system of human organs will predict the effects of chemical and biologic agents and test potential treatments.
Northwestern University researchers develop method to change molecular properties by altering surface geometry, mimicking nature's simplicity. The technique enables the creation of patchy nanoparticles with unique chemical properties, opening doors for new materials and applications.
A Phase 2 study found eluxadoline to be effective in decreasing abdominal pain and improving stool consistency without significant constipation risk. Symptom relief and quality of life scores increased over time, suggesting potential for a safe and effective treatment option.
Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have developed a method to generate bio-based hydrogen through spontaneous protein activation, enabling the industrial application of hydrogenases. The new process uses chemically synthesized inactive iron complexes and biological precursors to produce fully activated enzymes.
The Watermark Ink device can instantly identify unknown liquids based on their surface tension, exploiting chemical and optical properties of nanostructured materials. This technology offers a cheap, fast, and portable way to perform quality control tests and detect liquid contaminants.
University of Illinois researchers create the first bridge between optomechanics and microfluidics, enabling the study of mechanical vibrations in liquids. The technology has potential applications in biosensors, fluid analysis, and optical control of fluid flow.
Researchers analyzed popular baby names from the last decade to decode the association between vowel sound size and sex. They found that male names are more likely to contain larger sounding vowels, which may influence parents' choices.
At Harvard University, scientists have developed a method to assemble intricate nanostructures into delicate flower-like structures. By manipulating chemical gradients, researchers can control the growth behavior of these crystals to create precisely tailored structures, mimicking nature's own self-assembly processes.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London found that rescued animals can recover from neglect. Researchers observed improved behavior in goats that had been mistreated, suggesting a positive impact of sanctuary care on their mental health.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute illuminate the copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, revealing key findings on its mechanism. The discovery enables better control, efficiency, and versatility in pharmaceutical synthesis, enabling the development of new reactions.
Amar Basu's techniques enable rapid testing of biological liquids with nanoliter-picoliter volumes, reducing costs and improving assay speed. His projects focus on controlling droplet motion using lasers and sorting droplets based on chemical composition without labels.
A new study reveals that female fallow deer actively select their mates, choosing up to 12% to mate with multiple males each year. The research suggests that polyandry may ensure successful pregnancy by favoring older or more experienced males.
The Arizona State University Biodesign Institute is partnering with Life Technologies to develop a gene-expression based system for rapidly assessing radiation exposure in individuals. This system aims to provide an accurate indication of the level of absorbed radiation, with potential applications in nuclear incidents.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dinosaurs have a greater number of larger species compared to all other back-boned animals. The researchers analyzed the femur bone length and weight of 329 dinosaur species, suggesting that young dinosaurs occupied a different ecological niche than their parents.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a nanotube-based fabric that repels chemical and biological agents. The new material will be breathable yet protective, responding reversibly to environmental threats.
Researchers have successfully created near-atomically flat silicon surfaces, a breakthrough that could pave the way for new biological and chemical sensors. The team's innovative process uses computer simulations and infrared spectroscopy to create flat surfaces with alternating single-atom-wide rows.
A new military uniform material is being developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that repels chemical and biological agents. The material uses a novel carbon nanotube fabric that can switch from breathable to protective states in response to environmental threats.
The American Gastroenterological Association has launched new iPad apps for its journals, including Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The apps offer full-text and PDF views, note-taking and bookmarking functionality, and are free to download from the Apple App store.