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Attracting stem cells and facilitating bone regeneration by adhesive protein

A new coating material developed by Korean researchers facilitates bone regeneration and attracts osteo-progenitor cells, significantly improving the success rate of dental implants. The coating, loaded with BMP-2, prevents non-osteogenic cell invasion and induces high bone differentiation in a short period.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalBioengineering & Translational Medicine·DateMar 13, 2023

Too hot to handle

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh reveals that metal organic frameworks (MOFs) can heat up significantly when absorbing gases, leading to a loss of efficiency. The researchers identified MOFs with high densities and small pores as more capable of conducting heat, paving the way for their practical commercial implementation.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateMar 13, 2023

Some stirring required: fluid mixing enables scalable manufacturing of soft polymer structures

The new technique allows for the production of a dozen different soft polymer material morphologies, including ribbons, nanoscale sheets, rods, and branched particles. By precisely controlling three sets of parameters during manufacturing, researchers can fine-tune the morphology of polymeric materials at the micro- and nano-scale.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2023

Tireless microbial killers in new nanocomposites

Scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences have developed new nanocomposites that spontaneously and continuously kill microorganisms. The composites use silver ions or copper ions to destroy cell membranes and oxidative shock, respectively, providing a durable and safe solution for biocidal materials.

Customizing catalysts for solid-state reactions

Chemists have developed a high-performance catalyst specifically designed for solid-state mechanochemical synthesis, achieving efficient reactivity at near room temperature. The approach uses a metal catalyst attached to a long polymer molecule, which traps the catalyst in a fluid-phase, enabling fast and energy-efficient reactions.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2023

Chaos on the nanometer scale

Researchers at TU Wien have detected clear indications of chaos in chemical reactions on nanometer-scale rhodium crystals, a phenomenon previously unseen in atomic scale systems. The coupling behavior can be controlled by changing the hydrogen concentration, leading to a transition from ordered to chaotic behavior.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Addition of antioxidants to cell cultures can enhance the production of monoclonal antibodies, promising therapeutics for a range of health conditions

The addition of antioxidants to cell cultures can improve the production of monoclonal antibodies by reducing oxidative stress and increasing cell viability. This has potential benefits for therapies targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2023

Uncovering bacteria survival strategies

Bacteria can survive antibiotics without acquiring new genes or mutating existing ones by maintaining high electrochemical energies. These high-energy cells exhibit a wide range of energy levels despite being in a state of arrested growth, enabling them to adapt and spread rapidly.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalmBio·DateFeb 8, 2023

A sweet reaction: Microwaves might increase the sustainability of the chemicals industry

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to produce specific hexose and heptose sugars using microwave irradiation, improving the sustainability of industrial chemical production. The new process increases reaction efficiency and purity, paving the way for more environmentally friendly chemicals manufacturing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalRSC Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2023

Illinois Tech assistant professor publishes paper in Science on novel chemistry behind ultra-high power density batteries

Assistant Professor Mohammad Asadi has published a paper in Science describing the chemistry behind his novel lithium-air battery design, which could store one kilowatt-hour per kilogram or higher. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize heavy-duty vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and submarines.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Uncovering the secrets of electron-eating microorganisms

Researchers at Aarhus University are studying electro-trophic microorganisms that convert green electricity and CO2 into high-value products. The project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of these microbes, which could lead to breakthroughs in microbiological Power-to-X and novel tools for microbial corrosion prevention.

Breaking the temperature barrier of hydrothermal carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass

Researchers from Tsinghua University develop a new strategy to decouple temperature and pressure in hydrothermal carbonization, breaking the temperature limit. This process produces high-quality carbon microspheres with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups and good thermal stability, suitable for various applications including ...

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalGreen Energy & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023

Under pressure: Breakthrough new material solves problem of wearable sensors

A team from UMass Amherst developed an all-fabric pressure sensor that works even under pressure, allowing for long-term data gathering on health indicators like bone density and depression. The sensor can be worn in comfortable clothing, providing fine-grained details for remote detection of disease or physiological issues.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateJan 30, 2023

New enzyme could mean better drugs

Rice University scientists identified a new Diels-Alderase enzyme, CtdP, which catalyzes the Diels-Alder reaction with precise stereochemistry control. This discovery could lead to improved pharmaceutical synthesis and development of more effective drugs.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

Nanoparticles make it easier to turn light into solvated electrons

Scientists at Rice University, Stanford University, and UT Austin have developed a mechanism to generate solvated electrons through plasmon resonance, making it easier to turn light into these clean, zero-byproduct chemicals. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of driving chemical reactions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

New fluorescent dye can light up the brain

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new fluorescent dye that can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for noninvasive brain imaging and differentiation between healthy tissue and tumor cells. The dye's long-lasting fluorescence enables stable imaging over extended periods.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Reseachers construct microporous structure making active site more accessible in single-atom catalysts

Scientists develop macroporous structure to increase accessibility of active sites in single-atom catalysts, achieving high activity in oxidative esterification of furfural. The composite catalyst shows high stability and potential for industrial application in biomass valorization and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

SourceInstitute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Chemical researchers discover catalyst to make renewable paints, coatings, and diapers

University of Minnesota researchers develop groundbreaking new catalyst technology to convert renewable materials like trees and corn into acrylic acid and acrylates used in paints, coatings, and superabsorbent polymers. The new catalyst substantially reduces costs and increases yield, paving the way for lower-cost renewable chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJACS Au·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Rice University scientists get fungi to spill their secrets

Researchers at Rice University have developed a multiplex base-editing platform that significantly improves the pace of new drug discovery by inducing fungi to produce more bioactive compounds. The technique has been deployed as a tool for mining fungal genomes for medically useful compounds, reducing research timeline by over 80%.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

Nanoplastics unexpectedly produce reactive oxidizing species when exposed to light

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that nanoplastics from polystyrene can produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, which can harm wildlife and the aquatic ecosystem. The study suggests that smaller particle sizes of nanoplastics may be more reactive and decompose faster under light.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

POSTECH develops thermally evaporated environment-friendly semiconductors

Researchers at POSTECH developed high-performance n-type semiconductor Bi2S3 and p-type Te semiconductor through thermal evaporation, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. This method can be integrated into standard OLED manufacturing, lowering production costs and contributing to the growth of sustainable electronics.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2022

Water cleanup method developed by University of California, Riverside, scientists destroys pervasive, cancer-causing “forever chemicals” or PFAS

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have created a novel method to break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals', in contaminated water. The hydrogen-infusion and UV light-based process achieves high molecular destruction rates without generating unwanted byproducts.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2022

Glassy discovery offers computational windfall to researchers across disciplines

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new algorithm, metadynamics, that can navigate high-dimensional energy landscapes to find low-energy configurations. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize fields such as protein folding and machine learning.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2022

Modified enzyme brings value to lignin monomers

A team of scientists, led by Marco Fraaije from the University of Groningen, has developed an enzyme that can convert lignin monomers into useful chemical building blocks. The enzyme has been engineered to be stable, selective, and faster in conversion, offering a promising solution for the valorization of biomass.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2022

A genetic circuit guides microorganisms to stop fighting and work together in a cell factory

A joint research team developed a new bioprocess by introducing a genetic circuit that induces cooperation among microorganisms, leading to improved productivity. The consortium, composed of Vibrio sp. dhg and E. coli strain, successfully acclimated to the genetic circuit, increasing 3-HP production 4.3-fold over simple co-culturing.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2022

University of Virginia engineering researchers strive to match artistry of biological tissues

University of Virginia engineers develop a Minecraft-like, voxelated approach to create complicated structures comparable to human tissues and organs. They use droplets as the basic building blocks, assembling them into 3D constructs with precise location, composition, and properties.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalActa Biomaterialia·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022

Catalyzing clean energy

Researchers at Lehigh University have secured $13.2 million in funding to improve hydrogen generation and carbon capture/sequestration technologies through a partnership with Georgia Tech's UNCAGE-ME Center. The goal is to develop catalysts that can mitigate the degradation of these technologies in real-world conditions.