Human activities have significantly impacted the planet, changing global climate, sea levels and biosphere. The Anthropocene Working Group proposes formalizing this new epoch to acknowledge these changes.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a tiny robot that can perform basic tasks such as building molecules using a robotic arm. The robots operate by carrying out chemical reactions in special solutions that can be programmed by scientists.
Researchers found that changes in the Earth's crust led to the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere around 2.4 billion years ago. This period, known as the Great Oxidation Event, paved the way for the evolution of complex life on Earth.
UCLA physicists pioneer method to create unique new molecule that violates the octet rule, which describes chemical reactions. The study uses ultra-cold temperatures and tools from physics to observe properties of atoms and molecules, paving way for controlling chemistry.
A new research paper suggests that human cell- and computer-based test methods can help identify chemical respiratory allergens, which cause serious immune reactions. These methods have the potential to speed up testing, lower costs, and reduce animal testing.
A new study reveals that reef fish are less affected by ocean acidification than previously thought. The researchers used a laboratory setting to mimic natural daily changes in water chemistry, which provided fish with a recovery period and reduced their sensitivity to higher carbon dioxide levels.
A team of scientists from ASU and Penn State University has discovered the structure of a reaction center that preserves the characteristics of the ancestral one, providing new insight into the evolution of photosynthesis. This breakthrough sheds light on the process by which organisms harness light energy to drive their metabolism.
Researchers from ETH Zurich and Microsoft Research demonstrate that quantum computers can evaluate complex chemical reactions scientifically relevant results. Quantum computers can potentially calculate the reaction mechanism of nitrogenase step by step, but they will serve as a supplement to classical computers.
Researchers have performed a quantum-mechanical simulation of an ultracold chemical reaction, revealing the underlying chaotic dynamics of the system. The study's findings have important implications for controlled chemistry experiments and technological applications in quantum computing and sensing.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a fluorescent probe, RealThiol, to measure real-time changes of glutathione concentration in living cells. The new tool offers insights into the roles of glutathione in aging, health and diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Tokyo Institute of Technology found that rangeomorphs, some of the first large organisms, grew up to two meters tall by changing their body shape to extract nutrients. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in a changing ocean environment.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed 'molecular cages' that can boost reactivity and storage capacity, offering promise for energy conversion and bio-sensing applications. The new material's enormous internal surface area makes it ideal for encapsulating molecules with specific functions.
Scientists from MIPT have created tantalum oxide thin films with controlled oxygen concentration, paving the way for ReRAM technology. The study uses atomic layer deposition to overcome challenges in three-dimensional memory cell stacking.
Scientists use ultra-cold helium droplets to align single molecules with lasers, achieving better precision than traditional gas-phase approaches. This technique enables real-time study of chemical reactions in complex systems.
Researchers developed a new method to study chemical reactions at atomic scale, allowing for real-time observations of the solid-liquid interface. This technique helps improve water purification methods and understand supercapacitor performance.
Researchers at Umeå University have successfully mapped the structure and function of a transient enzyme state using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The study reveals that the transient state is essential for enzyme function and provides clues on how enzymes speed up reactions with incredible specificity and efficacy.
Researchers found that fungal infections like bunch rot and powdery mildew alter the chemical composition of wine, changing its aroma. Bunch rot infection increased fruity and floral notes, while powdery mildew decreased vanilla-like notes, resulting in lower aroma ratings.
A Drexel University team developed a new concrete mix using fly ash, slag, and silica fume to resist chemical erosion from road salt. The research found that these supplementary cement materials can be substituted into the mix with better results when exposed to calcium chloride deicing salt.
Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of Poland have demonstrated that increasing light intensity can accelerate chemical reactions by several dozen percent. This discovery has implications for various applications, including microscopic imaging techniques and ultra-fast spectroscopy.
Researchers have successfully triggered a chemical reaction in synthetic material that breaks down carbon dioxide into harmless organic materials, producing solar fuel. This process has great potential for reducing greenhouse gases linked to climate change.
Researchers have published a detailed geological history for Northeast Syrtis Major, a region on Mars known for its striking mineral diversity. The study maps the extent of key mineral deposits across the surface and places them within the region's larger geological context. This work could help inform NASA's decision on potential land...
Researchers at DGIST have identified a mechanism to reverse cellular aging and promote recovery through the inhibition of ATM protein. By activating lysosomal functions, they were able to restore cell division capacity and induce wound healing in aging animal models.
Researchers analyzed century-old lagers for their chemical profiles and found significant differences from modern brews. The beers had higher alcohol content, were less bitter, and contained more iron, copper, manganese, and zinc.
Scientists at IBS discover a platform to functionalize SLG and BLG, enabling the creation of 2D materials with new characteristics. Functionalized graphene can be applied to various devices, such as sensors and supercapacitors.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of nanomaterials that can harness sunlight to drive chemical reactions. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar panels and new technologies for destroying pollutants and cleaning water.
A new SBOL repository has been created to optimize metabolic processes and facilitate design of useful synthetic biological systems. The repository contains thousands of chemical compounds, enzyme classes, and metabolic reactions from nearly 4000 organisms.
Researchers modeled tripeptide production by bacterial translation machinery, confirming a highly sophisticated 'molecular toolkit' for simple lifeforms. The simulation revealed over 900 reactions and 200 chemicals formed as by-products, with non-linear behavior occurring at various stages.
Researchers created self-assembled 3D DNA crystals with moveable components to change their contents after formation. The innovation enables the manipulation of internal crystal contents in 3D systems, promising advancements in nanomechanical devices.
This study reveals that rove beetles have evolved into army ant parasites multiple times, mimicking the ants' behavior and pheromone chemistry to gain acceptance. The discovery challenges Gould's hypothesis of convergent evolution, suggesting a predictable path for the interaction between these organisms.
Researchers used a full-field transmission x-ray microscope to capture the structural and chemical evolution of a sodium-metal sulfide battery during its electrochemical reactions. The study reveals significant fractures and cracks in the material after the first cycle, leading to irreversibility and degraded performance.
Chemists from the University of Basel have successfully simulated molecular crowding in artificial vesicles, offering insights into the development of nanoreactors and artificial organelles. The study reveals that the crowding effect influences enzymatic kinetics, enabling specific control over chemical reactions.
A study by Prof. ZHANG Donghui and colleagues reveals details of the H' + CH4 substitution reaction, which proceeds through the back-side attack Walden inversion mechanism. The reaction exhibits a high threshold energy and different isotope effects for thermal rate constant and cross-sections.
A team of scientists from Empa and PSU investigated the DBS molecule's rotation rates at different temperatures, finding a non-uniform energy landscape. The results suggest that entropy plays a crucial role in molecular mobility even at low temperatures.
Researchers using big data and CRISPR analyze the immune system's minute-by-minute response to viruses, revealing a step-by-step reaction. This approach provides crucial insights into how the body fights off infections.
A new study finds that research on synthetic chemical pollution is severely lacking, despite its growing presence and impact on ecosystems. The study's authors call for increased funding and collaboration to better understand the environmental effects of these chemicals and mitigate their harm.
The increasing use of synthetic chemicals is outpacing global environmental changes, with pesticides and pharmaceuticals posing significant threats to human and environmental health. Research on these chemicals has been neglected, despite their impact on ecosystems and the environment.
The new Republican-led Congress and Trump's presidency may lead to changes in science policies, including energy and climate issues, research budgets, and trade. Expert predictions suggest rollback of programs and alterations in existing laws like the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Chemical engineers develop prototype reactor shaped like a leaf to capture sunlight and generate chemical reactions for drug production. The LSC material enhances the reaction process, increasing productivity by 40% even on cloudy days.
The study found significant changes in calcium, magnesium, and sulfate levels in the Yukon River over three decades, likely due to increased weathering and groundwater enrichment. These changes have cascading effects on Arctic Ocean currents and weather patterns worldwide.
Scientists have identified chemical changes in DNA that can be detected in blood samples, paving the way for a simple test to aid diagnosis. The findings could lead to a blood test to screen people who show symptoms of bowel diseases, sparing further tests for those without the signatures.
Research on non-native cycad herbivores reveals significant changes in leaf chemistry following herbivory, which can lead to faster litter decomposition and altered nutrient turnover rates. The study highlights the devastating consequences of invasive species on native ecosystems.
Researchers at Kansas State University have successfully recorded a chemical reaction that happens as fast as a quadrillionth of a second using a laser. This breakthrough enables scientists to understand and control chemical reactions, leading to better control and potential applications in multiple areas of science.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a surface treatment method that significantly reduces friction without special oil additives. The technique involves blasting metal surfaces with copper sulfide and aluminum oxide, leading to ultra-low friction coefficients.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated pattern recognition in hybrid materials that can be integrated into clothing or used as a sensory skin for robots. The materials, powered by chemical reactions, recognize distorted patterns and can inform doctors about hand injury recovery or monitor cardiovascular activity.
Researchers developed a new method to identify microscopic damage in polymers and composite materials using turn-on fluorescence indicators. The system uses aggregation-induced emission (AIE) to detect damage as small as two microns, enabling early intervention and repair or replacement before catastrophic failure.
A portable production system can manufacture a single dose of treatment from a compact device containing a small droplet of cells in a liquid. The system uses a programmable strain of yeast to express therapeutic proteins, which can be controlled by a specific chemical trigger.
Researchers have developed self-assembling particles that can change shape in response to light, mimicking natural transformations. The team engineered particles a micrometer in width, enabling the creation of exotic colloidal geometries.
Researchers will investigate chemical reactions causing nuclear waste to change over time. The goal is to predict these changes and design effective methods for remediation and safe disposal of highly radioactive materials.
Researchers have discovered a chemical trail on Saturn's moon Titan that could indicate the presence of prebiotic conditions. The trail was found in the form of hydrogen cyanide, an organic chemical that can react with itself or other molecules to form long chains called polyimine.
Researchers have developed a new method using gentle e-beams to study electron collisions with liquids, recording 2-dimensional spectra of molecules and measuring electronic excitation. This approach has shown promising results in evaluating quantum theoretical methods and may help identify alternatives to the greenhouse gas SF6.
Researchers have used radical pair analysis to enhance the performance of cryptochrome-based magnetic compass sensors, finding that electron spin relaxation can improve sensitivity. The study's findings could lead to the development of low-cost and environmentally-friendly electronic devices capable of detecting weak magnetic fields.
A scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University studied the influence of carbon nanotube 'stuffing' on their electronic properties. The researcher identified four main reasons why this method is promising for tailoring electronic properties.
Researchers have identified a free radical as the key mechanism behind methane production in bacteria, resolving decades of controversy. This finding sets the stage for developing new technologies to harness and generate methane for energy purposes.
Scientists have produced proto-nucleotides resembling RNA's nucleobases through simple laboratory reactions, advancing understanding of life's origins. The discovery has implications for the probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe.
A team of researchers at PNNL has made an unexpected discovery in rechargeable batteries, leading to a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for storing renewable energy. The new battery, which uses zinc-manganese oxide materials, can store energy with higher density and lower cost than conventional car batteries.
Researchers from Warsaw's Institute of Physical Chemistry discovered that quantum tunneling plays a dominant role in chemical reactions, even at room temperature. This finding could lead to precise control of chemical reactions through mode-selective chemistry.
A compact, portable pharmaceutical manufacturing system can be reconfigured to produce a variety of drugs on demand. The system is designed to provide an alternative for special situations, such as emergency outbreaks or manufacturing plant shutdowns.
Researchers have developed a unified mathematical framework to design a single global input that synchronizes nonlinear rhythmic units in nature and manmade systems. This breakthrough enables better understanding and control of oscillation in applications such as heart pacemakers, neuronal firings, and circadian timekeeping.
Researchers at LSU create non-permanent adhesive using urea and urease, exhibiting promising properties for biomedical applications. The adhesive's degradation rate can be adjusted, making it suitable for various biomedical uses.
Researchers from University of Southern Denmark found that liposomes cannot penetrate the human skin barrier intact. The study used a nanoscope to directly observe individual molecules and liposomes, revealing no penetration without breaking down. This challenges previous assumptions about liposome efficacy in skincare and medicine.