Articles tagged with Chemical Biology
The US National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding sensor research to monitor environmental factors, structural integrity, and health threats. Sensor networks will enable early detection of climate change, earthquakes, and biological hazards.
Researchers have developed a portable cooling system that weighs just several pounds and can detect chemical and biological toxins using miniature sensors. These devices use microchannels to enhance heat transfer or chemical reactions, enabling better process control and overall miniaturization of systems.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a four-channel microphysiometer to monitor cell metabolism in near real time. The device can chart variations in oxygen, glucose, and lactic acid levels, providing crucial clues about the impact of unknown biological agents on cells.
The U of T team has developed a technique to capture the atomic-level melting process of aluminum, revealing the solid's arrangement as it changes into a liquid. The researchers observed the transformation in real-time using laser and electron pulse technology, shedding light on the fundamental processes governing chemistry and biology.
Researchers mapped out circulation patterns using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to enhance understanding of the Bay-RIS system. The study provides detailed spatial images of circulation, showing that water predominantly enters the Bay through the East Passage and is supplied by the southeast during summer.
Researchers at UCSD create tiny silicon chips, 'smart dust,' that can detect chemical or biological compounds and report information to the outside world. The dual-sided particles can collect at a target and self-assemble into a larger reflector for remote sensing applications.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully redesigned sensor proteins that can detect a range of molecules, including explosives like TNT and neurotransmitters. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies for monitoring diabetes and locating underwater robots.
Researchers from Ames Laboratory aim to create efficient and selective nanocatalysts using mesoporous materials with controlled nanopores. The goal is to improve the selectivity of current mesoporous materials, which often require costly separation techniques.
Scientists will conduct live agent testing of masks at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, simulating mustard blistering and nerve gas sarin exposure. The tests aim to establish a maximum penetration rate and fit testing methods for gas masks worn by first responders.
Scientists at UC Riverside have modified an existing full-scale chemical scrubber to a biological trickling filter, achieving treatment rates comparable to chemical scrubbers. The conversion resulted in annual savings of $30,000 per year, with potential for widespread adoption and significant cost benefits.
Cornell researchers have developed a highly efficient chemical route to produce the biodegradable polymer poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate), which has potential applications in various industries. The discovery is a significant breakthrough in creating sustainable materials, with the potential to replace traditional plastics.
A Pacific Northwest chemist has developed increasingly selective methods to separate and analyze biological mixtures using capillary liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The techniques enable researchers to predict the effect of complex perturbations on biological systems, such as drug side effects and virus exposure.
The Lancet reports a severe decline in Iraq's healthcare infrastructure, exacerbated by the Gulf War and 12 years of economic sanctions. The US military's preparation for chemical and biological warfare has also contributed to the humanitarian disaster.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed a vacuum system that can detect anthrax and other biological agents in mail sorting machines. The device, which is being developed by the McDivitt laboratory, uses a detector to identify and quantify both biological and chemical agents.
Paul Chirik has been recognized with the NSF's Early Career Award for his innovative work in synthetic chemistry. His research focuses on using transition metal complexes to expand the scope of chemical reactions, leading to the discovery of a new method for activating atmospheric nitrogen.
Craighead's research focuses on developing chip-based chemical and biochemical analysis systems with high-speed capabilities. He aims to create rapid medical diagnosis or environmental monitoring tools using microfluidic systems and engineered nanostructures.
The laser technique, called LIBS, can detect various explosives and identify close relatives of anthrax in instant detection. A portable LIBS system could continuously monitor air for signs of chemical or biological agents, alerting officials to potentially hazardous substances.
The Purdue team has developed a new type of antenna that can detect a single molecule using electromagnetic radiation. This innovation could lead to detectors millions of times more sensitive than current technology, with potential applications in medical diagnostics and homeland security.
QuikClot is a granulated material that rapidly absorbs all liquid in the blood and leaves behind clotting factors to effect coagulation within seconds. The product has been cleared by the FDA and is being distributed to US troops in Afghanistan, with plans for wider use in military and civilian settings.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are making significant strides in nanotechnology, developing chemical and biological sensors that will be far more sensitive, selective, and cost-effective. They are also creating advanced materials, structures, and devices for various electronic and photonic applications.
The world's largest and highest-performance nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer has arrived at PNNL. This unique system will enable scientists to study basic molecular processes and make new discoveries in fields such as DNA damage, disease development, and protein interactions.
The new sensor can detect specific biological agents even at trace amounts in air or water, enabling quick diagnosis and treatment in remote medicine scenarios. The device's optical-based system improves response time and enables personalized medicine through genotyping.
Researchers have successfully attached molecules to the surface of a virus, creating a novel method for immobilizing large molecules on viral surfaces. This technique has potential applications in nanotechnology, materials science, and medicine.
Researchers at Nexia Biotechnologies Inc. and US Army have made the world's first spider silk fibers from man-made materials with properties similar to natural spider silk. The production of these fibers was achieved using a proprietary transgenic goat technology, and they demonstrate high toughness, modulus, and water stability.
The US CRDF is launching a fast track research competition to engage scientists from the former Soviet Union in the fight against terrorism. The Competition aims to minimize the effects of terrorist acts on civilian populations and will offer support to U.S. industry, scientists, and engineers teamed with researchers from FSU.
The Sandia-developed decontamination formulation has been selected to help rid Capitol Hill buildings of anthrax contamination. It is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally friendly cocktail that neutralizes both chemical and biological agents in minutes.
The center will provide cutting-edge instrumentation and theoretical expertise to researchers worldwide, focusing on biochemistry and molecular biology. Researchers will utilize state-of-the-art ESR spectrometers to study dynamic molecular processes and develop new methods for measuring distances in biomolecules.
Richard R. Schrock has developed catalysts that make molecules efficiently, leading to discoveries of potential antibiotics and anticancer compounds. His work significantly influences the field of organic chemistry.
Researchers at ZymoGenetics have identified a novel Interleukin, IL-21, and its receptor, which play a crucial role in regulating the immune system. The discovery was made using an integrated genomics approach and has shown promising results in promoting the activation of immune cells.
Researchers at UCSD discovered an oxygen-isotope anomaly in soils that suggests atmospheric deposition of sulfates from sulfur-emitting marine algae is a significant contributor to the region's high salt concentrations. The study provides concrete evidence for biological activity as the primary source of salt in the Dry Valleys.
Researchers aim to unlock cellular communication secrets using air traffic control principles and develop new instrumentation for analyzing complex biological systems. The goal is to understand how genes function and design intricate electronic circuits, applying insights from computation and engineering.
A study published in The Quarterly Review of Biology suggests that morning sickness serves a beneficial function, shielding the mother and fetus from harmful foods and chemicals. Women who experience morning sickness are less likely to miscarry than those who do not, and their aversion to certain foods peaks during the first trimester.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that brain neurochemicals, not gender, play a crucial role in shaping social behavior in fish. The study found that isotocin and vasotocin, equivalent to oxytocin and vasopressin in mammals, modulate electrical output of the brain establishing social behaviors typical of females.
Steven J. Swoap, an assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $497,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to investigate the mechanism of how restricting caloric intake lowers blood pressure. He will also receive a $95,783 NIH award to study why skeletal muscle becomes more fatiguable under disuse.
The University of Chicago is set to receive a new laboratory complex, the Interdisciplinary Research Building, thanks to a $131.5 million investment from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The 375,000-gross-square-feet building will bring together researchers from various fields, enhancing collaboration and idea-sharing.
A new study using NASA's Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) reveals that El Niño dramatically reduced the amount of carbon dioxide normally released into the atmosphere by the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Chlorophyll levels also plummeted during this time, followed by a massive bloom of microscopic algae.
Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have pinpointed how light resets the biological clock of fruit flies. By analyzing biochemical consequences of light pulses, they found that light triggers cell breakdown of a key protein called timeless, which is essential for synchronizing the biological to day-night cycle.
Researchers have created an artificial capsule, dubbed a polymersome, that imitates many qualities of natural cells. The capsules can be made to encapsulate payloads such as genes or pharmaceuticals and are biocompatible, evading detection by the human immune system.
A male rattlebox moth donates a plant-derived chemical to his female, protecting her against spiders and her eggs. The female can also benefit from this nuptial gift, with the Cornell study proving that she profits from the male's alkaloidal gift.
Researchers found that psychological stress increases levels of IL-6, a cytokine linked to immune system response, making the body more susceptible to developing infection and symptoms of respiratory illness.
Charles Yanofsky, a renowned Stanford University microbiologist, has been awarded the 1998 Abbott-American Society for Microbiology Lifetime Achievement Award. He made significant contributions to our understanding of gene expression and protein biosynthesis through his discovery of attenuation as a regulatory mechanism.
A study found that cultures in hot climates used spices more frequently due to their antimicrobial properties, which helped reduce foodborne illnesses. The most effective spices were garlic, onion, and oregano, killing up to 80% of bacteria.
Nancy Roseman, assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $266,191 NSF grant to study the biochemistry of dUTPase, an enzyme involved in DNA metabolism. Her research uses the vaccinia virus as a model to understand viral/host interactions and DNA replication.
A new coupled biological and physical model could predict the health of near-shore ocean environments where rivers meet the sea. The model identifies key processes involved in an ecosystem and quantifies their importance, providing insights into how these systems interact.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have improved near-field optical scanning microscopy to study individual biological molecules. The new cantilevered probe reduces force on samples, allowing for gentler interaction and high sensitivity.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats prefer to recruit family members to new food sources rather than eating them themselves. The rodents use a unique recruitment chirp and chemical trails to guide their kin to the food, even in pitch-black tunnels.