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Structure of a protein related to heart and nervous system health revealed

Scientists have solved the structure of a protein integral to maintaining healthy hearts and nervous systems. The discovery of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) may lead to smarter drug design for better understanding of homocystinuria, a genetic disorder affecting cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 16, 2010

Europa's hidden ice chemistry

Researchers found that water and sulfur dioxide react as ice with surprising speed and high yield at temperatures hundreds of degrees below freezing. This unexpected reaction could revamp current thinking about Europa's chemistry and geology, potentially leading to new discoveries on the moon and other icy bodies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 4, 2010

Stretched polymer snaps back smaller than it started

A team of researchers at Duke and Stanford have found a polymer molecule that can trigger a chemical reaction when stretched, enabling it to build its own repairs. The molecule, called a gem-difluorocyclopropane (gDFC), snaps back smaller than before after stretching, potentially leading to the development of self-healing materials.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateAug 26, 2010

It's electrifying

Researchers at JILA have demonstrated a new tool for controlling ultracold gases and ultracold chemistry by applying small electric fields. The study shows that the electric field spurs a dramatic increase in chemical reactions, with molecules reacting faster when approaching each other head-to-tail parallel to the applied field.

Seeing the quantum in chemistry: JILA scientists control chemical reactions of ultracold molecules

Physicists at JILA have observed chemical reactions near absolute zero, demonstrating that chemistry is possible at ultralow temperatures. By controlling ultracold molecules' internal states and molecular motions, scientists can study how the molecules scatter or interact with each other quantum mechanically.

Ultra-cold chemistry

Researchers directly observe chemical exchange processes in an ultracold sample of cesium atoms and Feshbach molecules, allowing for controlled study of chemical reactions. This breakthrough opens a new avenue to study diverse chemical reactions using ultracold quantum gases.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 2, 2010

Snowflake chemistry could give clues about ozone depletion

Researchers studying snowflake shape and chemical reactions on their surface may uncover clues about ground-level ozone loss in the Arctic. The unique shapes of snow crystals, influenced by temperature and humidity, can affect the rate of chemical reactions that reduce ozone levels at ground level.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateDec 7, 2009

Climate change alters ocean chemistry

Researchers have discovered that climate change affects the ocean's chemical makeup, altering calcium levels and potentially impacting marine life. The study found that the ocean's chemistry can change rapidly in response to climate changes, highlighting the need for further research on the impacts of ocean acidification.

Burnham researcher awarded $8 million grant

Stuart A. Lipton will lead a center studying potential environmental causes of Parkinson's disease, examining chemical reactions that alter protein function and screening compounds to prevent disease progression. The center represents a collaborative effort between scientists at Burnham and other institutions.

Atomic tug of war

Researchers found that under certain conditions, a molecule can jump forward instead of backward when collided with another atom. This 'tug-of-war' behavior is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and their mechanics.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2008

Birth of an enzyme

Researchers designed an enzyme for a specific reaction using computational design, but the synthetic enzyme was less efficient than naturally occurring ones. However, by allowing the enzyme to undergo 'evolution in a test tube,' they were able to improve its efficiency 200-fold and increase reaction rates by a million-fold.

How basil gets its zing

Researchers at the Salk Institute have solved part of the molecular puzzle behind basil's characteristic warm and sweet aroma, providing a three-dimensional snapshot of the enzyme Eugenol Synthase. The study reveals how this enzyme produces eugenol, a fragrant molecule responsible for basil's spicy overtones.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 2, 2007